Local Classic Rock Group "Alter Ego" in Hot Demand

ALTER EGO is a classic rock band that has gained a great deal of attention in the Chicagoland area. Formed by veteran musicians who reside in our area, the group has quickly become a favorite of concertgoers in the Chicago suburbs headlining at Harrah’s Casino, Grand Victoria Casino, and dozens of area festivals and nightclubs.

”We are very excited at how popular the band has become in just a few short years”, said Bob Zak, the band’s manager and drummer. “We understand that venues need to make make money when they book a band and we strive to make make each event successful through solid marketing and putting on a good show to hold the audience”. ”We have been invited to return at every venue we have performed at. We are very proud of the relationships we build with our clients.”

Each member of the band is a well know veteran on the Chicagoland music scene, having played with some of the region’s most successful bands. What makes the group so popular with fans is the high level of musicianship , vocals and harmonies that recreate the magic of the original artists, ranging from the Rolling Stones, Heart, Fleetwood Mac, Blondie, Tom Petty, Pretenders and Lynyrd Skynyrd, among dozens of others.

Alter Ego bandmembers include:

Twyla Sokolewicz, a dynamic, powerful and versatile lead singer with the unique ability to deliver a variety of songs with sparkling showmanship, charm and personality that keeps audiences engaged and entertained. Her professional career started in the 1980’s and took her to Nashville where she recorded the Billboard Top 40 record, “Cheatin Side of Life”, a collaboration with Dave Kirschner, her musical partner at that time. The record was followed by a national tour, and the accolades of fans and peers, resulting in her winning awards from Country Music Showcase for “female vocalist of the year”, “entertainer of the year”, and “vocal duo of the year” for the hit song. In the 90’s Twyla became an in-demand singer on the Chicago music scene, taking the microphone for 12-years as lead vocalist for SideKix, one of Chicagoland’s most successful corporate/wedding bands. With Sidekix, she performed at nearly every major venue in the region, including a long run as house band at the renowned Radisson Star Plaza in Merrillville, considered a must-perform venue for nearly every major national entertainer.

Bob Zak has been entertaining audiences in the Chicago area for more than 30 years. He has played drums in some of the most successful Chicago area classic rock and oldies bands including 45rpm Band, and The Silhouettes, among others. And he has also been behind the radio microphone as a disc jockey on numerous classic rock and oldies stations and can currently be heard on 95.9fm The River. He has been the voice of hundreds of radio commercials. In addition to the drums, Bob also will play the keyboards and guitar on occasion, and sing a song or two, a rare feat for a drummer. Bob was inducted into the City of Joliet Hall of Fame for his contributions to entertainment.

Mike Griffin is the group’s guitar player. Originally a piano player, Mike converted to guitar at the age of 12 and never looked back, playing in his first band in high school at local dances and block parties. After college he joined the lineup of the very popular band, Climbing Vines, performing original music at some of Chicago’s hottest clubs including Park West, Cabaret Metro, and Cubby Bar, among others, where they would share the bill with such nationally known bands as Pearl Jam, Soul Asylum and Urge Overkill. More recently Mike was a member of the popular group, Higher Octane, for 7-years, playing clubs and festivals in northern Illinois. Mike continues to be an in-demand player on the Chicago music scene with the unique ability to play lead, rhythm, or bass guitar, with a style that is heavily influenced by early American blues players and British blues musicians who took it one step further.

Deb Sweet, the group’s bass player, is not only a musician, but also has credits as an actress and international model. Long before she was recognized as an accomplished bass player, Debra mastered the flute at an early age and was offered scholarships at both the Julliard School of Music and a Musical Conservatory in France. Debra’s natural charm and comfort in front of an audience and the camera landed her two major modeling/acting contracts with Elite and Ford Models. She appeared in numerous magazines and as well as acting roles in film, television, and commercials. However, with a lifelong dream of being a musician, getting back to her rock & roll roots has been a top priority for her. Debra has performed with the top Chicago area rock bands, Tremble & Shake, and Cougar. She also records and performs for Mickey Oliver an original Hotmix 5 DJ and 2012 Grammy semifinalist with Universal/Del Oro Records.

Tony Sadowski, originally from New Jersey, has played keyboards in many rock bands in his musical career starting in his early teens. He has played in venues from as far and wide as Manchester England, New York’s Central Park and Los Angeles. Tony not only plays keyboards but also guitar with the band. Although he loves all types of rock music he is passionate about and greatly influenced by the great British Invasion rock groups and 60’s American rock.

To learn more about Alter Ego you can visit the bands website to hear the band, see photos, and view their performance schedule. www.AlterEgo-Rocks.com.

For booking information call 815-254-8291 or email contact@alterego-rocks.com