hitmen bios

Highlights from our latest interrogation...view

Subject: Tom Butts

TOM BUTTS (Bass, Vocals) of Decatur, started his musical career at the ripe age of 10 when his father bought him a "cheap, crappy" set of drums. But due to an aggressive game of roller derby in sock feet around a wheel track, Tom's brother did a pyle driver into the drums, hence ending his future drumming career.

So what did this future drum extraordinaire do? He bought a "cheap, crappy" bass guitar from Goldblatt's department store, since everyone else was a guitar or drummer. Tom began to take lessons from "Sudsy Budsy" at the Ax in Hand Guitar Store and soon began mastering nothing but KISS tunes. He later went on to play original songs in an early 70's band and toured the midwest with GUNSMOKE and BORDERLINE.

Tom's influences are Geddy Lee and the bass player from ELVIS COSTELLO AND THE ATTRACTIONS, whose name he can't remember.
Paroled: 2-15-2001

Subject: Stan (da fingers) Kupish

STAN KUPISH (Keys, Vocals) of Springfield, began his musical journey at the young age of five; after spending a week in the California sunshine listening to the album, "Meet The Beatles". "From that point on, I just knew I had to play music," he says and it wasn't long after that Stan began playing piano.

Stan started his professional career by the time he was a freshman in high school by participating in Chicago music contests and playing with his first band, SPEEDGUN. Early influences not only included the BEATLES, but also DEEP PURPLE's Jon Lord and URIAH HEEP's Ken Hensley, as well as solo performers like Elton John, Leon Russell and Billy Joel.

Stan performed and toured the Midwest with the 5 piece show bands, THE SOUND SYSTEM and DANCER and played what was known in those days as the "Holiday Inn circuit". Settling down and enjoying the local music scene, Stan had a good run playing keys with a variety of top central Illinois musicians in the band, TAXI before taking a break from the band scene to concentrate on a decade of solo performances.

It wasn't until meeting up with SPEEDGUN's singer-guitarist Greg Bickers again that Stan got "itchy fingers" to perform again with a band. He joined forces with Bickers, drummer Ty Wiedenkeller and bassist Tom Butts, and the birth of THE HITMEN came about. After a great 9 years with THE HITMEN, Stan went on a brief hiatus to perform with Springfield's ever popular STONE AND BISCUIT band before returning to the tried and true sounds of THE HITMEN in 2011. By the end of that year a new dimension in the band emerged with the addition of "The Dame". Stan exclaims, "There's no looking back now!"
Paroled: 2-15-2001

Subject: Doug (da axe) Mason

DOUG MASON (Guitar, Vocals) of Decatur, born in sweet home Chicago, Doug learned to love the blues at an early age and caught the itch to play rock and roll by watching the ROLLING STONES live on TV. He began playing professionally at age 16, studied guitar with Millikin University instructor Dan Sloatman, and published his first songs at age 18. Doug has done session work with many regional and national artists in Nashville, Chicago and Dallas and has performed live with many national artists including Kevin Chalfont and the Storm and Stacy Kostas. Doug had shared the stage with artists such as BADFINGER, FOGHAT, DIO, SLAUGHTER, WARRANT, VINCE NEIL, and NIGHT RANGER and has performed locally with many area bands.

Doug's influences are far too many to name, but a select few are...Wes Montgomery, Jeff Beck, Ted Nugent, Richie Blackmore, and Zack Wylde. Lovingly nicknamed,"Dougie da axe", his favorite quote is, "damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead".
Paroled: 2-15-2001

Subject: Ty (Stix) Wiedenkeller

TY WIEDENKELLER (Drums, Vocals) of Decatur, sings lead and background vocals and has more than 30 years of professional playing experience. Ty is known for his last failed escape attempt. He has opened for national artists such as QUIET RIOT, DOKKEN, WARRANT, SLAUGHTER, GREAT WHITE, DIO, HEAD EAST, STEPPENWOLF, VINCE NEIL and FOGHAT. Ty has traveled the Midwest with his former bands, BORDERLINE, AMERICAN BAND, WILD CHILD, BAD SEED and XXAVIER. His influences include Tommy Aldridge, Joey Kramer, Phil Rudd, and of course, Neil Peart.
Paroled: 2-15-2001

Subject: Shelley (the dame) Simon

SHELLEY SIMON (Vocals) of Springfield, is no stranger to central Illinois. A graduate of Millikin University, she has performed with many area groups including the Decatur Park Singers, Greater Decatur Chorale, Millikin University Choirs, the Springfield MUNI, and many other local Springfield theater groups.

After spending some time living in Florida, Shelley moved back to our area and got started in the local band scene with the short lived, SIMON SAYS. She then teamed up with fellow DPS alum, Cayla Hittmeier and started filling in for her with ROCK OF AGES. As fate would have it, that's how she met Stan and found out that THE HITMEN were looking for "something different" after 10 years as an all guy group. Not a stranger to being called, "something different", Shelley jumped at the chance to join the guys and infuse a little "something new" into the boy's club.

Shelley likes to lend her powerful vocals to many musical genres including Top 40, Pop, Country, Rock, R&B, and "Oldies." She believes the key to keep the dance floor hoppin' is mixing up the set lists with all types of music so there is something for everyone. Her biggest influences include, Gretchen Wilson, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Knettles, Linda Rhondstat, Shania Twain, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Aretha Franklin, Pat Benatar, Heart and even a little Lady Gaga.