Interviews
Bomb Squad Team Manager, BC Vaught
From Rock Star Drummer to ATV Freestyle Motocross Hero
January 13, 2011
By John Pellan and Tony Trapizona
Photos by Jorge Cuartas
Ten years ago H Bomb Films CEO Wes Miller created a one-of-a-kind ATV freestyle team and gave it the coolest name in freestyle motocross history. The Bomb Squad Team has included the most talented collection of freestyle ATV motocross riders in the world. Members of the Bomb Squad were the first to pull off all the big tricks; including the first Superman, the first Back Flip, the first Back Flip Superman and more. Their efforts have changed the way quad-naysayers view the capabilities of ATVs and the riders who choose to ride them instead of dirt bikes.
While the riders push their talents and creativity to the limits the guys behind the scenes do the same. The team's notoriety and success has a lot to do with the many good business decisions made by the team's creator Wes Miller. One of those good decisions was snatching up long time friend BC Vaught and making him the Bomb Squad team manager. BC was a professional drummer for (həd) p.e, also known as (hed) Planet Earth, a very successful punk/heavy metal/hip hop/reggae band out of Huntington Beach CA. After nearly ten years with the band and a few tours with Breaking Benjamin, BC decided he had had enough of life as a rock star and looked for a new career. He now books gigs, manages branding and marketing, acquires and implements sponsorships, books travel, organizes equipment, introduces riders and handles a zillion other duties for the Bomb Squad team.
Recently, since H Bomb Films DVD sales have dwindled due to the poor economy and illegal downloading on the Internet, Wes has moved his H Bomb Films production company to the Burbank, California area and is busy working on trying to get ATVs on mainstream television, leaving BC to pretty much handle the Bomb Squad portion of the business. We've talked with Wes and some of the Bomb Squad riders over the years but never posted anything with our buddy BC. With that said, enter drum roll….below is a little conversation with BC Vaught.
You're a famous rock star. Why did you leave that extraordinary career to go work for Wes and manage the Bomb Squad?
I had a long run with the music business and after being away from family and friends forever, inner turmoil with the band, etc, I decided to try something new. Wes was a friend of mine for a long time and things were going well for H Bomb, so he brought me aboard to help him with the company.
You were an original member of (həd) p.e correct? Do you get royalties from music sales? Or are you making a living completely from Bomb Squad now days?
Absolutely an original member. The lead guitar player, Wes Geer, (who now plays as the touring guitarist for Korn), and I were in a band called Liquid Tree together. We used to play shows in Hollywood with (hed)'s singer Jahred and bass player, Mark, with their band, Live Urban Sexx Tribe. We decided to form one band out of the two and boom, (hed) p.e. was born. This all happened around late 1993, early 1994. As for royalties, yes, they come quarterly which provides one hell of a nice dinner at the fast food location of my choice, but we get by!
(hed)p.e in Amsterdam with Papa Roach:
(hed)p.e at Rock am Ring in Nurburgring, Germany:
(hed)p.e Blackout Live at the Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn in 2003:
(hed)p.e Bartender Video 2000:
BC with Melanie Jones and Michael Tedesco from Jive Records.How did you become such a talented drummer?
I started out in the 6th grade and loved playing to my favorite bands like Van Halen, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Primus, and of course, Rush. I'm known more as a drummer that's always in the pocket. Simple and solid. My style is perfectly matched with (hed).
What do you like better drums or quads?
I love them both! Now, ask me what I like better.. Drums or RZR-XPs? I might have to go with the RZR-XP. [Laughing} I still play drums on a day to day basis and still have a passion for it, but I have to work hard to try to keep building the Bomb Squad and Moore Brothers brand. So, to answer the question, quads are the business now and drums are the hobby.
Do you see yourself touring again in the future? You can't just leave something you love so much, right?
Interesting you might ask. I have a pretty good feeling that something is going to happen in the near future regarding all of the original members of (hed). (hed)p.e. is going strong these days with more of a "new world order" view in their lyrics. Therefore, I see something like a "(hed)v1" (version 1 - all original members) playing together soon. That way, (hed)p.e. can keep doing what they do, and the originals can go back to more of what we did in 2000. The bottom line is that I miss playing live. I miss collaborating with other great musicians to make something that moves people.
I thought so. I'm looking forward to seeing you guys play out again, very cool! But for now back to quads... Wes pretty much has you running the Bomb Squad on your own we understand? What are some of your strategies to taking the team to further success in 2011?
Yes. I recently started my own management company called Rotation Sports Management & Entertainment. Wes and I have always done our own thing at H Bomb all while working together on a daily basis. That's basically what we are doing now. Even though the Bomb Squad will be managed from my end, Wes is still hard at work on his expertise, film. We work towards one common goal which is promoting the sport and lifestyle that ATVs, UTVs, Bikes, and basically anything motorized bring to the table.
What is a typical day and night for you?
Let's see; phone, computer, lunch, phone, computer, soccer or jiu jitsu with my son, then dinner. Occasionally, I get on the kit and play old tunes I co-wrote with (hed)pe and a few tunes I played on tour with Breaking Benjamin.
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ATV Racing
Comments
Re: Bomb Squad Team Manager, BC Vaught
Hi BC,
Please let us know anytime you happen to be in Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, West Virginia or Pennylvania. I don't have a quad or a bike, but I do have a car that could get me there to see you.
Love, Aunt Marna
Re: Bomb Squad Team Manager, BC Vaught
Please tell me that there is still HBomb merchandise available!!! Hats/Shirts killed it!!
Thanks
Rob