Jonathan Eaton has recorded and performed with a wide variety of Wichita bands over the last 20-plus years including ULU, Local Band, The Mess, Tom Page Trio, Order 66 and, perhaps most notably, Softie. He also once performed a show as a member of Split Lip Rayfield with his brother Jeff, a founding member of that group. Eaton lives in Wichita with his wife and children and thanks his family for their continued support.
“My name is Jon Eaton, I’ve been playing music locally for over 20 years. I currently play in the Tom Page Trio—bass, a new punk-rock local-themed cover band Full Grown Juveniles with some friends. My drummer brother John Grant, who I play with in Softie, I’ve been playing with him for over 15 years or so.
The worst gig I ever played?
I was playing drums in this band Order 66. It’s probably one of my favorite band experiences because we practiced twice a week, we didn’t take ourselves too seriously but we took it very seriously that we were a band.
We put out our own CDs—two of ‘em. Made our own t-shirts. Booked our own gigs, went to several regional cities.
But, one time, we played down in Derby. We showed up, set up our gear, there was quite a few people there, all in the front row, all partying, having a good time. We set up our stuff, tuned up.
They kind of harassed Marty, the bass player, because he wasn’t slapping’ it.
We started playing our first song and the whole front table stood up—probably 15 people stood up and went right out the door. We were sitting there going, ‘Okaaaay.’ We played three-four more songs and the bartender was, like, ‘Well, you guys are done.’
Our guitar player wound up getting really drunk and kept screaming, ‘We’re going down to the VFW to get some ear wax removal!’
Expletive expletive.”
