Echo 3 entertains with more than its arsenal of rock covers

Tonight's show at the Pink Galleon by Southeast Missouri rock cover group Echo 3 is one people will have to see to believe, according to lead guitarist Toby Tyler.

Tyler's guitar tricks and the group's one-handed drummer make people stop and stare, he said.

The foursome of Tyler, Mike Ward, Walter Pollock and Tyler Morrison has played together since 2008.

Tyler plays overhand instead of underhand and crawls around on the floor.

"It's kind of surprising to people at times," he said.

Ward, who lost his left hand after a complication related to diabetes, now drums by using a strap to play. He attaches a drumstick to his arm with an elastic band that moves with his elbow and shoulder.

Echo 3 was originally formed by Tyler and Morrison, who became friends when they worked on-air for KSIM radio when it was based in Sikeston, Mo.

Morrison, a self-described "Star Wars" geek, said the band's name comes from the opening line spoken by the Luke Skywalker character in "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back."

The band has a long list of covers in different genres, including classic rock, Southern rock, hard rock and alternative rock, said Morrison, and all the members provide vocals.

Since its inception, the band has played at various venues in Southeast Missouri, including Bel Air Grill, Mixing 10 and Whiskey River, as well as Lady Luck Casino in Caruthersville, Mo., and Sikeston clubs. The members currently play a weekly show on Saturdays at the Blue Moon II in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Tyler, who is from Cape Girardeau, said he has been involved in the local music scene most of his life.

"I've played in a lot of different situations and in a lot of different styles of music, starting at 13 years old with guitar," he said.

In college, he played in the Southeast Missouri State University jazz groups, and continued in music over the years, he said.

He owned a recording studio -- East Front Studios as part of SEMO Music in Sikeston -- and jammed with well-known locals like Bruce Zimmerman, Ken Keller and Bob Camp.

Playing in Echo 3, he said, allows him to have fun, because the group is more of a flashy rock band.

Morrison said he plays with Echo 3 to spend time with others who have a common interest in music.

Morrison's friendship with drummer Ward is one example of how the band gets along, he said.

A short time after Ward's surgery to remove his left hand, Morrison said he saw a YouTube video of a drummer using a strap to play, and showed it to Ward. He really wanted Ward to be able to play again, he said.

"Drumming has been a big part of his life," Morrison said. "If it had happened to me I would have been out of luck. But not him. He picked right up on it."

One of the highlights of the show, Tyler said, are Ward's drum solos, especially his rendition of Led Zeppelin's "Moby Dick."

Echo 3 performs at 9 p.m. today at the Pink Galleon.