The Sound Effect were one of the most popular rock groups in Omaha, Nebraska during the 1960’s. After winning several battle of the bands, the combo recorded a demo but, unfortunately, the song was never released as a 45-rpm single. Fernando “Butch” Lecuona played guitar, bass, keyboards, and provided vocals, but left the group in 1970 after a serious motorcycle accident. While he continues to write and sing music, his days as a member of The Sound Effect were among the greatest in his life.
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An Interview With Fernando "Butch" Lecuona
60sgaragebands.com (60s): How did you first get interested in music?
Fernando “Butch” Lecuona (FBL): I started playing the piano when I was five and sang in the elementary school music class. During the holidays, I sang solo numbers during the school holiday programs. I played trumpet in elementary school then in junior high I switched to percussion instruments and played the drums in the school band and orchestra. I picked up the guitar at age 12.
60s: Was The Sound Effect your first band?
FBL: No. I picked up the guitar in 1963 at age 12 and formed my first combo with my brothers Rick and Randy Lecuona, then asked my neighborhood friend Steve Ray to join because he had a bass guitar. We called ourselves The Red Devils and we played together through junior high school.
60s: Where and was The Sound Effect formed?
FBL: The Sound Effect was formed in Omaha, Nebraska. The group came together in 1967 after we merged two neighborhood groups. Rodney Griffith and Dave Gausden were friends, and Ned Gray and I made up the remainder of the group members.
Rodney Griffith played lead guitar and managed the group. Dave Gausden played bass and keyboards, (Rod and Dave were musical arrangement collaborators). Ned Gray played the drums and I played guitar, bass, keyboards, and was the singer on featured numbers.
60s: How would you describe the band's sound? What bands influenced you?
FBL: The Sound Effect was a Top 40's band. We were influenced by The Beatles, Three Dog Night, Knickerbockers, Sam & Dave, Wilson Pickett, Deep Purple and local bands The Rumbles and The Chevrons. There were a lot of great bands in the ‘60s and ‘70s in the Omaha area, and we were good enough to be considered one of the top bands during that time.
60s: What was the Omaha rock and roll scene like in the '60's?
FBL: The late ‘60s were the best. Omaha had some great bands, great people, lots of dances and great venues to play at.
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60s: Where did the band typically play?
FBL: We played all over Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa in schools, churches, social halls, clubs, bars, bowling alleys, shopping malls. It was a lot of fun.
We played at Sandy's Escape, St. Luke's, Elkhorn Lanes, high schools, county fairs, The Omaha Civic Auditorium, The Bellevue Teen Center, Offuit Air Base Officers Club and the youth teen center.
60s: Did The Sound Effect participate in any battle of the bands?
FBL: We played in several battles of the bands in the area like the Bayless Park-KRCB Radio Band Battle, Norfolk Regional Band Battle, and the Douglas County Fair. We won first place at the Hillside Band Battle, won first place at the Midwest Teen Fairs in '68 & '69, and were first place winners, out of 79 bands, of the 1969 KOIL Radio "Fun Festival" Battle of the Bands.
60s: Did The Sound Effect have a manager?
FBL: We were basically self-managed. Rodney Griffith served as our manager and band member but we also worked with Eddie Haddad Enterprises, Charlotte Leas of C&L Talent Agency, Sandy Jackson of Sandy's Escape, Scott Cameron and Charles Canuos of CBC Enterprises, and Elaine Jebenis of Brandis.
60s: How popular locally did The Sound Effect become?
FBL: We became very popular and we had a great following. The venues we played were always packed with our fans and it was great to be booked both Friday and Saturday every weekend.
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60s: What were the circumstances leading to the recording of the demo?
FBL: Part of winning the KOIL Radio Fun Festival Battle of the Bands competition included new band equipment and studio time to record a demo record. We recorded the song ‘Sing La, La,’ which was more of a bubblegum era song during a time when the music tastes were changing to more brass groups like Chicago, Chase, and Blood Sweat & Tears.
60s: Why was the demo never released as a 45?
FBL: The demo was never released as a 45, but I still have a copy of the tape from the recording session.
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60s: Where did The Sound Effect record?
FBL: The recording took place at a sound studio in Omaha. The best part of the recording studio for me personally was the opportunity to hone our music skills and to learn what went into recording a song. The band got tighter as a result and it was a fantastic experience.
60s: Did The Sound Effect write any original songs?
FBL: As a Top 40's band we didn't write original material, but we did work hard at sounding like the original artists whose songs we played. We also reworked some songs with our own spins.
60s: Do any other Sound Effect recordings exist? Are there any vintage live recordings?
FBL: Not to my knowledge and there are no vintage live recordings that I am aware of.
60s: Did the band make any local TV appearances? Does any home movie film footage exist of the band?
FBL: We didn't make any local TV appearances, but I do have some video clips on some old 8mm home movie films that were taken at the Concert in the Park in 1968.
60s: What year and why did the band break up?
FBL: The Sound Effect broke up in 1970 as the times were changing and musical interests were changing. I was involved in a motorcycle accident in June that year and that laid me up for the better part of a year. The band continued to play with additional members under a new name.
60s: Did you join or form any bands after The Sound Effect?
FBL: No. I continued to sing and play at weddings and spend time writing my own songs.
60s: What keeps you busy today?
FBL: I currently serve as deputy assistant to the Mayor of the City of Omaha after serving 18 years as the State of Nebraska Labor Commissioner. I had the privilege of singing at my three children’s weddings and now enjoy singing and playing for my grandchildren.
60s: How do you best summarize your experiences with The Sound Effect?
FBL: In summary, playing in The Sound Effect was one of the highlights and greatest times of my life. It was fun to make music that people liked to dance to and I loved to entertain in front of a crowd. Seeing the joy on the audience faces and watching so many people dancing and having a good time to our music was a blast. The very best thing that came out of being in The Sound Effect was meeting my wife of 38 years, and having three children and six grand children who all love music and all of them know songs from The Beatles’ catalog. I firmly believe that you will stay young forever if you have a song in your heart!
Thanks for the opportunity to share some great memories of one of the best bands in Omaha's music history.
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Fernando "Butch" Lecuona III - A performer from the Omaha area, Butch is the center of The Sound Effect's stage presentation. As a musician, his many abilities allow him to play whatever is needed for a particular song. With the addtion of an organ to the group's sound, he changed from rhythm guitar to bass guitar. He also plays organ in a few numbers. Before joining The Sound Effect he learned the basics of music from the piano. Butch, as he is called by his friends, has a naturally free style before an audience that makes the group truly unique. At a performance, his singing and dancing in a few featured numbers always adds extra life to the event. He always tries to give his all to every performance, large and small, and he's gathered quite a following at our regular apperances. "When Butch gets turned on, we can't lose." Backed by the other members of the group, Butch can be counted on to give a fantastic show!
Dave Gausden - Another skilled musician from the Omaha area, Dave plays organ and bass guitar. The success of an appearance depends greatly on Dave for he has a good deal of responsibility being the anchor man. He is imaginative in playing either of his instruments and never fails to surprise the other members of the group sometime during a performance. Dave's resh approach to music is very valuable in arranging the group's numbers and he shows promise as a songwriter. He works at all hours of the day at his music and strives to gain mastery in playing his instruments. In addition to his instrumentation, he add vocal background and takes the lead occasionally. Always one to depend on at a performance, Dave is destined to go far in music fields. In fact, he's decided to make music his career.
Rod Griffith - The orginator of The Sound Effect, Rod is often considered the organizing force behind the group's success. On stage, he's an imaginative and able lead guitarist and usually leads in the group's vocal presentation. He, along with Dave, serve as the musical anchorman of the group. Rod collaborates with Dave on most of the arrangements and the two work well together. All of the rehearsals and performances are under his direction and the others can count on him to come through in any situation. His ability in electronics has made him the self-appointed equipment manager. He's particular about the seemingly trival details and this concern has made every job a success. Rod, who manages not only the euipment, but also public relations, bookings, and announcing on stage, finds his responsibilities numbered.
Ned Gray - Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Ned Gray serves as The Sound Effect's drummer. He is the basis of the style that can be found in the group's music. And stylish he is, with a driving best and rhythms that are never plain, but always varied and interesting. Ned has a natural adaption for the drums that makes rehearsals smooth and performances full of life. Being basically self-taught, he picks up new numbers quickly and usually alters his part to suit himself. The way Ned is playing on a particular night affects the whole group and the others rely on him greatly. Ned is notorious fun seeker which tends to keep the rest from getting too serious. He tends to be a little more destructive than the others by breaking sticks, drum heads, and even cymbals. As the last member of the group, Ned is the force that tied it to a complete unit.
Together, the musicians of The Sound Effect make up one of the newest, and most exciting groups in the Midwest. Exacting and lively stage performances have made The Sound Effect a sure crowd pleaser since its formation. Individually, each member donates his particular part to the total effect. So there you have it; The Sound Effect, all dedicated to the task of pleasing you. Catch their performance if you can and watch them work. You won't be disappointed!
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