Played guitar in Captain Beefheart's Magic Band from 1975 until 1982, including performances on Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller), Doc At The Radar Station and Ice Cream For Crow.

Afterwards he recorded with Robert Williams, Frank Black and Tom Waits. He has also released a couple of solo albums and currently plays with Eggtooth and the Moris Tepper Band.

Born in Iowa, Tepper later moved to Southern California where he met Eric Drew Feldman in high school. After renting a house near Beefheart, Tepper began playing the guitar by learning the parts played by Bill Harkleroad and Jeff Cotton on Trout Mask Replica. Beefheart was impressed and decided to get another band together.