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Point Loma Rocks Lawton
by Amanda Herrera
Everything about the Lawton-based rock band
and that’s because it is. And though it would be a tad
too long and complicated to explain how each of the
band members are related, it’s evident after getting
to know them—they are a family, an extremely
talented one.
Dunshee. He’s been a professional musician for
more than 40 years and has groomed every other
member of the band, teaching each of them the
fundamentals of their instruments. Frank composes
much of the band’s original rock/metal music and
plays guitar and drums in rotation with the other
much younger members. Those members are Tyler
Neal, 19, on guitar and bass; James Hayes, 14, on
drums, guitar, and bass; Donovan Bourgoin, 14, on
guitar, drums, and bass; and, of course, the band
wouldn’t be complete without the lead vocals of
Donovan’s mother, Angela Farmer.
Point Loma in its current lineup has been together
playing shows in and around Lawton for the past four
years, and has played more than 100 shows. Most
see teenagers, so they must show up prepared—in
more ways than one.
commission, and has all the necessary paperwork
and approvals to enter 21-and-up establishments
as entertainment. However, to prove themselves as
talented musicians who can hold their own on stage,
they must put on a rocking show—and they do.
Frank says, of all the musicians he’s played with
throughout the years, the current lineup is the most
talented, despite their young ages. He refers to them
as prodigies, in fact.
“Donovan won’t make one mistake at practice or
when we play. He’s the most perfect player we’ve
got.” Frank said. “James is such a natural on stage;
he owns the stage. Tyler is the mad musician; he’s
extremely creative. And Angela, I found out a long
time ago to just let her go. She is an amazing singer
and songwriter. This band is a very special, gifted
band.”
Angela, singer and mother, said while some
might have on the guys at their tender ages, it’s
actually great exposure to show the teens they don’t
being in a serious band has done nothing but helped
each and every one of the boys.
“They are motivated,” she said. They study and
share books and they practice on their own. They’ve
all earned it.”
Performing about two gigs each month and
currently working on a new album, one that
promises to be more hard and edgy, the young
members of Point Loma say they mostly play in the
band because of how music makes them feel, and
that they thoroughly enjoy the positive feedback
from audiences.
“After I get done playing and everyone comes up
to me and says ‘you did a good job,’ it makes me feel
good,” Donovan said.
“It’s fun because I like playing drums and guitar
and it makes me feel good when people tell me that
I’m raw,” James said.
Frank and Angela share that passion for music
with the younger members of the band, and say they
make time to bond in other ways as well, such as
participation in water sports and motorcycles. And,
just as real parents and families must think about the
future, when asked where they see themselves in
now we’re showing them the ropes,” Angela said.
For now, they all agree, they will continue being
the unconventional rock band that’s more of a family
than anything else.
For more information on Point Loma, visit their
page on Facebook.
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