SkinneRat was a virtual band created Dr. Gary D. Telgenhoff. Dr. Telgenhoff was the Forensic Pathologist and Deputy Medical Examiner at the Clark County Coroner’s Office, Las Vegas, Nevada. He consulted with the CBS drama CSI three to four times a week. He also consulted with the TV show BONES. SkinnerRat involved collaboration with Dick Wagner (ex-Alice Cooper), Jeff Bower, Eric Bloom and Danny Miranda (Blue Oyster Cult).
Gary Telgenhoff was born in Cadillac, Michigan. The majority of his young life he was interested in nothing but drums, bands, and rock and roll. The interest became an obsession and a dream of playing the big stages. The obsession continued through four years at Spring Arbor College in Michigan. After graduation in 1979 with a degree in biology and chemistry, he pursued music with various bands making a modest living in clubs and concerts. Some of the musicians he performed with were: Donny Hartman (from the Michigan band Frost), Dick Wagner (guitarist for Lou Reed and Alice Cooper), Robbin Robbins (keyboardist for Bob Seger), Henry Weck (drummer for Brownsville Station and producer for Blackfoot). He replaced Henry Weck in the Michigan band Whiz Kidz (founded by Pat McCaffrey).
Although an aspiring musician Dr. T also had an interest in science. He chose to enter graduate school at Eastern Michigan University and received an MS in biology/physiology in 1989. The degree was completed while in the first year of Medical School at Michigan State University. Gary continued to perform with the Whiz Kidz during this time. Medical School was completed in 1992, followed by internship, two years of pathology residency at Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, two years of pathology residency at Medical College of Ohio, Toledo, Ohio and one year of Forensic Pathology fellowship at Montgomery County Crime Lab, Dayton, Ohio.
During this time Dr. Telgenhoff continued to perform as a one-man act, “Badd MediSin”. Incidentally, Gary had a rather rough road through his medical training due to his resistance to the “Doctor Thing”. He did not recognize “status”, hierarchy, dogmatic authority, “God Complex”, or the need to suck up to anyone or anything.
His most valued accomplishment is succeeding in medicine while retaining his identity and enthusiasm for music. Gary fled Ohio like a stripped – assed – gazelle for Las Vegas, Nevada his second home.
The creation of SkinnerRat and Ratzass Productions began during the first year in Las Vegas, 1998. The majority of his “free time” was spent in his digital studio, writing, recording and producing.
All the songs are about death in one fashion or another. Most of the lyrics are social commentary and som personal. Gary Telgenhoff saw death every day and used the songs as a release to remain sane.
Sadly, Gary Telgenhoff passed away January 4, 2018.
Artist: SkinnerRat
Album: Speak For You
Year: 2001
Label: Ratzass Productions
Style: Hard Rock, Heavy Metal
Format: mp3/320
Tracklist
01 Tools Of The Trade 4:20
02 Speak For You 5:49
03 Playgrounds Turning Red 5:03
04 Poison In The Poppies 7:22
05 Last Night We Danced 4:34
06 Tache Noire 5:03
07 Road Dawg 5:20
08 No Tears For The Klown 4:53
09 Reachin For Rainbows 4:09
10 Livin By The Sword 4:46
11 Elysian Fields 3:52
12 Desert Rain 6:03