Jeff Howell began his bass playing career as a teenager in upstate New York. He played in several bands throughout his teen years and in the 80's, progressed to the Binghamton, NY based band, Acts. This was a very polished, professional band that toured the entire east coast and consistently packed every venue played. In June of 2003, Acts still managed to fill a room with approximately 800 fans at a reunion gig. They also recorded an album, "Fear of Swimming", on which Jeff wrote and co-wrote songs. Jeff considers Acts "his college band", because it really honed his stage and playing charisma.

Over the years, Jeff managed to excel to bands of notoriety. When Jeff left Acts, he hooked up with Kim Simmonds, AKA, Savoy Brown. At this time (1986), Kim was playing with some very good hard rock musicians under the heading "KSB". The band was doomed before Jeff joined. No one in particular's fault, generally, everyone was disinterested. Nevertheless, Jeff managed as always, to find degrees of enjoyment in it. Parting ways, Jeff ventured to the state of Vermont. There, he started a band called, The Law. For about a year and a half, he played every major and non-major club and piss hole from Brattleboro to Nova Scotia to Newfoundland. It was a good band, but Jeff grew tired of the grind and returned to New York.

Soon after returning home, Jeff's agent called to say that Foghat needed a bass player. So, off to Boston Jeff ventured in a van with no heat (Dec. 87). Long story short, Jeff beat out approximately 30 other musicians and got the gig with his preparedness, incentive and exceptional abilities. This is where Jeff met his "mate", Roger Earl, "a real class act", states Jeff. "Roger and I got along very well. Every show was euphoric." Jeff toured every state several times with Foghat, including Alaska and Hawaii. "I headlined so many shows I can't remember, but I have video tapes for souvenirs." While with Foghat he recorded an album that was never released. Once again, all good things come to an end, but not before, Jeff fell in love with a woman and the town, while playing the showroom at Harrah's Casino, in South Lake Tahoe, NV (1990).

Shortly after leaving Foghat, Jeff coincidentally rejoined Savoy Brown and left on a European tour. "It was incredible. When we got back from Europe, we left for Hawaii and then a mainland tour. It was a lot of fun, but it too ended." It was then that Jeff moved to Lake Tahoe. "One day while soaking up the sun (the sun shines almost every day there), Roger called and asked, if I'd come back to Foghat. Pretty strange!" Jeff rejoined Foghat for an Alaskan continental tour. During the tour, he played with Carlos Santana in Salt Lake City, UT in front of 80,000 people. "You'd have to see it to believe it."
As time marched on in Tahoe, Mickey Mulcahy, Foghat's former tour manager; and The Outlaw's current tour manager, called to see if Jeff was interested in playing for The Outlaws. Off to Florida Jeff embarked. Two days of rehearsal and out on tour he went. "The next thing I knew, three years went by." While playing with The Outlaws, Jeff recorded three albums. The Outlaws disbanded in 1996, so Jeff occupied himself working as a studio musician at Muscadine Studio in Macon, Georgia, where he then resided.

In August of '96, Jeff returned to New York with his family while his kids finished school. In the process, he put his professional career on the back burner. He pacified his desire to play by putting together quality club bands, and recording on other artist's projects. Most recently, with David "Rock" Feinstein, (Elf (Ronnie James Dio) and The Rods), playing the Wacken Festival (pronounced Vawkin), in Hamburg, Germany. Jeff continues to play with the same enthusiasm he had 20 years ago and is ready to devote full attention to resurrecting his musical career. Mainly Jeff has stayed true to his passion by writing and recording his own ideas and has compiled an innovative collection of songs. Hence, Wild at Heart.

 

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