Nervous Rex History

In the Beginning...

Nervous Rex started out in 1997 as an acoustic trio. Founding members Jeff Hadden (guitar), Gene Thornton (Guitar), and Harley Kenning (bass) dazzled audiences with a tight acoustic sound and brilliant vocal harmonies.

Over the next few years, they played around Kansas City at various acoustic venues such as Barleys Brewhaus and Pickerings Bar & Grill -- pretty much everywhere on 119th Street in Johnson County...


Keyboards

In September of 2000, Nervous Rex added a keyboard player/vocalist to round out the acoustic sound and to take up the vocal slack.


Drums

Nervous Rex made their next upgrade by adding a drummer in the fall of 2001 to allow us to become a band with a beat and to move away from the older acoustic style of music.


Bass

We realized pretty quick that when you have drums, you've just gotta have a bass. Upon adding the bass the transformation from acoustic pub band to a scorching rock show was complete.


Venues

Over the years, Nervous Rex has played all over the KC and surrounding areas.

Allee's - Harrisonville, MO
Alley Catz - Lee's Summit, MO
American Royal BBQ - Kansas City, MO
Ameristar Casino - Kansas City, MO
Argosy Casino - Riverside, MO
Bambooze Bar & Grill - Sunrise Beach, MO (Lake of the Ozarks)
Barley's Brewhaus - Overland Park
Big Al's - Jefferson City, MO
Bike Nights - Grandview, MO
Bogarts - Independence, MO
Braata Jamaican Grill - Lee's Summit, MO
Brewtop Bar and Grill - Kansas City, MO
Brickyard - Olathe, KS
Buffalo Bar - St. Joseph, MO
Bullfrogs - Topeka KS
Bullseye Bar - Lees Summit, MO
CC's - North Kansas City, MO
Chipshots - North Kansas City, MO
Copa Cabana - Eureka Springs, AR
Danny's - Lenexa, KS
DiCarlos Mustard Seed - Independence, MO
Doc Hollidays - Independence, MO
Dog Days (Salty Dog) - Lake of the Ozarks
Famous Daves - Kansas City, MO
Fan Club - Warrensburg, MO
Fat Chance - Independence, MO
Filling Station - Lake Ozark, MO
Firehouse - Blue Springs, MO
Flamingo Lounge - Independence, MO
Franky and Louie's - Sunrise Beach, MO
Freddy T's - Olathe, KS
Gails Harley Davidson-Grandview, MO
Gib's Place - Beatrice, NE
Gold Dust - Excelsior Springs, MO
Grand Emporium - Kansas City, MO
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino - Tulsa, OK
Harley Hotrods - Blue Springs, MO
Harleys and Horses - Kansas City, MO
Harrah's Casino - Topeka, KS
Harrisonville Community Center-Harrisonville, MO
Harrisonville Parks & Rex - Harrisonville, MO
Horny Toad - Osage Beach, MO
Howell's Bar and Grill - Kansas City, MO
Infused Restaurant and Bar - Shawnee, KS
Isle Of Capri Casino - Kansas City, MO
Jerry's Bait Shop - Lee's Summit
Jerry's Bait Shop - Lenexa, KS
JR's Rock and Blues - Olathe, KS
John's Upper Deck - Kansas City, MO
Johnny's Tavern - Overland Park, KS
Kauffman Stadium - Kansas City, MO
Kelly's in Westport-Kansas City, MO
Kobi's - Bonner Springs, KS
Lakewood Pub - Lee's Summit, MO
Legends - Bonner Springs, KS
Lonnie's - Polo, MO
Mac's - Lenexa, KS
Mac's Speedway Grill - Bonner Springs, KS
Manhattan's - Martin City, MO
McBrides - Overland Park, KS
Mulligans - Olathe, KS
Nick's - Independence, MO
O'Bryan's Irish Pub - Lee's Summit, MO
The Other Place - Overland Park, KS
Our Place - Richmond, MO
Plaza Fountains - Kansas City, MO
Power and Light - Kansas City, MO
Pickerings - Olathe, KS
RC's Backdoor - Martin City, MO
Red Lion - Joplin, MO
Shakers Martini Lounge - Overland Park, KS
Sheriffs - Harrisonville, MO
Salty Dog - Osage Beach, MO
Scoreboards - Olathe, KS
Shakers - Overland Park, KS
SIFE Convention - Kansas City, MO
Slow Ride's Roadhouse - Lawrence, KS
Sportscar Bar - St. Joseph, MO
Sunset Grill - St. Joseph, MO
Tanners Downtown - Kansas City, MO
The Depot - Cameron, MO
The Jet Ultralounge - Topeka, KS
The Roxy - Overland Park, KS
Tom Fooleries - Zona Rosa - KC MO
Voodoo Lounge - Harrah's Casino - Kansas City, MO
Wally's Bar & Grill - Gardner, MO



Future is Bright

Now armed with the most talented Nervous Rex lineups to date - Jeff (Guitar and Vocals), Bob (Drums and Vocals), Andrew (Keyboards, Guitar and Vocals) and Dave (Bass and Vocals) - Nervous Rex has the tools and talent to be considered one of the best rock cover bands in Kansas City. You'll just have to come out and hear for yourself.

Jeff -- Bob -- Andrew -- Dave ---
NERVOUS REX!