Hank Ver Plank

A drummer now living in West St. Louis County, Martin "Hank" Verplank provided the backbeat to two of the area's most popular and admired garage combos, The Geargrinders and Tomorrow's Caveman. He is a long time friend and collaborator of both Ray James and Tim Hopmeier, and he occupied the drum throne for at least two Columbia-based bands that James and Hopmeier were in: The Stoned Walls and The Neanderthals. Verplank was away from the St. Louis music scene for no less than three years when James asked him to take over the drumming duties for Long John Thomas and the Duffs after Scott Lasser left the band.