Musicians
Musician
Podcast guestTom Moga
Self-taught bassist who knows about 1,300 songs and plays in Hollywood Boulevard, The Hybrid Theory and Queen of the Reich.
Tom Moga, also called Thomas, is a self-taught bass player who has never taken real lessons. He picked up the bass at 18 after seeing Steve Harris of Iron Maiden in concert, and bought a Fender Bullet bass at Torp's Music in St. Paul. Tom plays in the cover band Hollywood Boulevard and two tribute bands he helped start: The Hybrid Theory, a Linkin Park tribute, and Queen of the Reich, a Queensryche tribute. He is also the house bass player for the Ziggy's open jam.
On the Minnesota Music Note
The Minnesota Music Note - Ep 28 - The Story of a Bass Player Who Never Took a Lesson with Tom Moga
6mo ago
Open episode pageFun facts from the interview
- Tom says he can play about 1,300 songs and usually learns a new one in half an hour to two hours.
- He landed his first band, an '80s hair metal cover band, from a City Pages ad after only about three months on bass.
- He played in Damsel, the road band Palace (once the house band at Serums), Blackout for over five years, Legacy of the Loud and Grind.
- The Hybrid Theory started more than three years ago after singer Mitch met Tom at Mad Mike's jam.
- The Hybrid Theory has played Rockfest in Cadott, Wisconsin, Lakes Jam and Midsummer Music Fest, opening for national acts.
- Tom and drummer Johnny Ramirez formed Queen of the Reich, with Beth on vocals after Tom heard her at Mad Mike's jam.
- He joined Hollywood Boulevard as the bass player when the band's longtime bassist retired.
- Mad Mike started the "Moga, Moga" chant that crowds now shout at the jams.
- Tom once drove all the way to a gig in St. Cloud and realized he had forgotten his bass.
- His early heroes were Cheap Trick and AC/DC, and he still sings "I Want You to Want Me" live.
- He recommended Johnny Ramirez as a future guest.
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