Classic Rock Band with Darien Ties Named 'Best of the Burbs'

For more than two decades, ARRA has been rolling through the Chicago area, pumping up crowds with covers of classic rock favorites from the likes of Aerosmith, Journey and Styx. Last week, fans voted ARRA their favorite classic rock band in SuburbaNites magazine's annual "Best of the Burbs" poll.

Patch chatted with ARRA bassist and Darien resident Steve Latka about feeling the fan love, balancing a day job with his music career, and saying goodbye to ZZ Top-style beards. 

Patch: How does it make you feel that fans recognized ARRA as their favorite classic rock cover band? 

Latka: I feel honored that so many people appreciate our perfomances enough to give us this award. ARRA always gives our audience everything we've got, every show, and it's great to know that our fans really enjoy it. 

Patch: Tell me a little bit about how you became part of ARRA. 

Latka: ARRA was formed in 1989 and had been rehearsing for a while with no bassist before I got the call. Ronnie Platt (ARRA's lead vocalist) and I had been in a band called Lazy back in uhhh...1982? Yeah. Anyway, he called me to try out for ARRA and I did. I was immediately impressed with the group's overall talent and potential. 

A week or two went by as they tried out a couple more guys. Then Ronnie gave me a handful of cassettes and said, "Learn these 40 songs, shave the ZZ Top beard and be at rehearsal in a week." (I had a pretty outrageous ZZ going at the time.) So, I spent a little time with the razor and a LOT of time with the stereo and my old MusicMan bass. The rest all kinda fell into place. 

Patch: What made you decide to become a bassist? 

Latka: When I was about 14, I saw Elton John performing on TV and his bassist, Dee Murray, was really layin' it down! Something inside me said, "I wanna do that!"

A few months later, my friend Don Uribe got a guitar and talked me into playing bass. It's all his fault. 

Patch: How do you balance being a musician with a full-time job? 

Latka: Having a "die-hard fan of all things classic rock" for a boss helps a lot. I have to leave work early frequently and he's very understanding. 

As far as getting to shows tired from work...that all goes away when the amps are on and the lights come up! 

Patch: What's your favorite thing about playing for a live audience? 

Latka: The energy that flows back and forth between our fans and ARRA is always amazing to me. (Especially at Darien Fest!) It's also a great feeling to know that I'm on that stage with such a talented group of musicians...who let me goof off as much as I want up there!

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