Randy Cooper

Randy Cooper
Background information
Bornc. 1967
GenresHeavy metal, hard rock
OccupationMusician
InstrumentGuitar
Years active1989–present
Formerly of

Randy "The Arsonist" Cooper (born c. 1967)[2] is the former guitarist for American rock band Emperors and Elephants[3][4][5] as well as American red dirt metal band Texas Hippie Coalition.[2] Cooper also acted as a session guitarist on American southern rock band Shotgun Rebellion's debut album Train of Pain in addition to performing on a limited number of dates with the band.[6][7][8]

History

Cooper moved to Denison, Texas when he was 16 years of age. Having met Pantera shortly thereafter, and opening for them as part of Texas Hippie Coalition, he became attracted to Dean Guitars, and played the same Vintage 82 DEAN from 1989 until at least 2009.[9] In 1991, an automobile accident in Oklahoma City turned the guitarist into a quadriplegic, confining him to a wheelchair and forcing him to regain his stride. After regaining motion in his right arm and both legs, Cooper spent additional time in rehab, recovering only one finger on his left hand. This contributes to the musician's unique style of playing.[10]

Texas Hippie Coalition

In mid-2012, Cooper tore a tendon in his right arm, which required extensive rehabilitation.[11][12] With a pair of cysts under his arm that encircled the tendons, he could only play guitar for a few minutes at a time, which rendered him unable to tour later that year.[13][14][15]

Departure from Texas Hippie Coalition

Following Cooper's departure from Texas Hippie Coalition, the veteran guitarist joined rock band Emperors and Elephants.[5] Additionally, Cooper performed a select number of tour dates with southern rock band Shotgun Rebellion while assisting the ensemble with their debut studio album.[6][7] Randy Cooper's work also includes a guest appearance on Hell Rider Recording Artist, Scattered Hamlet's debut full length, Skeleton Dixie, where he played lead guitar on "Falling Off the Wagon.".[16][17] He's also been known to make unannounced guest appearances with the band to play that song live.[18]

In October 2015, it was announced that Emperors and Elephants would begin the new year by starting work on a new album with producer Scott Wilson.[19] Two months later, Cooper and the band announced that they had decided to part ways.[3][4]

In 2016, Cooper performed a show with American rock band Coming Up Zero.[20] In 2018, the guitarist started a new band called Victory Season.[21]

Influences

Cooper's influences include Mötley Crüe and Pantera as well as guitarists Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, Zakk Wylde and Darrell Abbott.[2]

Equipment

Cooper uses Dean Guitars[9] and EMG-81/85 pickups.[22] In 2012, the musician was quoted as using a Dean ML.[23]

Discography

Cooper performing with American rock band Emperors and Elephants
Cooper (left) performing with Jon Parr (center left), Johni Walker (center right) and Rick Davis (right) of American southern rock band Shotgun Rebellion

Texas Hippie Coalition

Emperors and Elephants

Shotgun Rebellion

  • Train of Pain (2013) (session musician)[1][32]

Scattered Hamlet

  • Skeleton Dixie (2013) (guest appearance)[17][33]

References

  1. ^ a b "Check out Shotgun Rebellions Debuts Teaser for Train of Pain on "The Heavy Metal ICU"". The Heavy Metal I.C.U. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c bravewords.com. "> News > TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION Guitarist Randy Cooper – New Audio Interview Online". Bravewords.com. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  3. ^ a b "Facebook". Facebook. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Randy Cooper – ****It's with great sadness that I have to..." Facebook. December 4, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  5. ^ a b "Hellhound Music Emperors and Elephants Enters into Artist Partnership Deal with Pavement Music". Hellhoundmusic.com. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  6. ^ a b "Denison, TX – Official Website". Cityofdenison.com. January 1, 2006. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  7. ^ a b "Check out Shotgun Rebellions Debuts Teaser for Train of Pain on "The Heavy Metal ICU"". The Heavy Metal I.C.U. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  8. ^ Shotgun RebellionInfoTijdlijnInfo. "Shotgun Rebellion – Info". Facebook. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  9. ^ a b "Randy Cooper of the Texas Hippie Coalition". Deanguitars.com. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  10. ^ "TexasHippieCoalition – Texas Hippie Coalition – Randy Cooper". RockMusicStar.com. January 18, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  11. ^ "Texas Hippie Coalition Guitarist Taking Leave After Arm Injury". Metal Insider. May 3, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  12. ^ "Lars Ulrich Calls 'Lulu' Reaction 'Spiteful,' Biffy Clyro Releasing Double Album + More". Noisecreep.com. May 3, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  13. ^ Rosenthal, Richard (July 24, 2012). "Texas Hippie Coalition – Band of Outlaws". Screamer Magazine. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  14. ^ Mark Holmes (October 15, 2012). "CD Review". Metal Discovery. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  15. ^ "Black Label Society: House Of Blues, New Orleans, LA, 10/09/11". Glide Magazine. November 18, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  16. ^ David Jones at J1SWeb.com. "Home". Ashley Talent International LLC. Retrieved August 4, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ a b "Scattered Hamlet – Skeleton Dixie". Sleaze Roxx. February 22, 2013. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  18. ^ "Dean Videos". Dean Guitars. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  19. ^ a b ""EMPERORS AND ELEPHANTS would like to announce that we will be recording our new album ( untitled at the moment) early 2016 at Sunshine Studios"". Facebook. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  20. ^ "Coming up zero with new member Randy Cooper first show in Oklahoma City". YouTube. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  21. ^ "Randy Cooper's Victory Season". YouTube. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  22. ^ "Artists". EMG Pickups. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  23. ^ "DEAN GUITARS NAMM 2012 RANDY COOPER from TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION". YouTube. February 14, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  24. ^ "Texas Hippie Coalition – Pride of Texas – Encyclopaedia Metallum". The Metal Archives. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  25. ^ "Texas Hippie Coalition returns with 'one of the greatest second albums ever.' | Lubbock Online | Lubbock Avalanche-Journal". Lubbock Online. December 3, 2010. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  26. ^ "Texas Hippie Coalition – Peacemaker – Encyclopaedia Metallum". The Metal Archives. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  27. ^ "Devil in the Lake by Emperors and Elephants". MTV. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  28. ^ "Reviews – EMPERORS AND ELEPHANTS 'Devil in the Lake'". Knac.Com. January 25, 2014. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  29. ^ "Devil in the Lake – Deluxe Edition". Spotify. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  30. ^ "Moth". March 17, 2017. Retrieved February 17, 2017 – via Amazon.
  31. ^ "Search The Latest Metal & Hardcore Releases". Theprp.com. February 13, 2017. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  32. ^ "Train of Pain 2013: Shotgun Rebellion: MP3 Downloads". Amazon. May 14, 2013. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  33. ^ "Skeleton Dixie: Music". Amazon. Retrieved August 4, 2014.