Spending almost a decade
developing and redefining their place as one of the best bands
to come out of Chicago, Hello Dave continues to spread their
sound to fans across the country. Beginning in college, at Eastern
Illinois University, playing at Fraternity parties Hello Dave
has grown into an internationally touring band, playing throughout
the U.S. and overseas in Europe and Southeast Asia. The band’s
ability to involve and connect with their audience during every
performance has caused them to form an intensely devoted fan
base with a great love and enthusiasm for the band.
With a sound uniquely there own, Hello Dave
combines the sounds of classic and southern rock with pop, country
and rhythm & blues.It is this combination of different genres
that give Hello Dave such a great appeal to many different types
of music lovers. Hello Dave gives audiences a feel good vibe
with genuine emotion and integrity.
The driving force behind Hello Dave from the
very beginning has been lead vocalist, songwriter and rhythm
guitarist Mike Himebaugh. While growing up in Michigan, Mike
traveled with his mother and stepfather who were heavily involved
in Barber shopping or singing in four-part harmony and this laid
the seed for Mike's love of music. He remembers spending many
hours behind his closed bedroom door singing along to his tape
recorder, until college, were he began to write his own songs
and took up music seriously. Since then he hasn’t looked
back. Now he says he is lucky enough to travel around most of
the country and half the world singing his songs.
Also growing up in a musical family, bassist
Allen Wetzel learned to play guitar at an early age and music
became such a large part of his life that after majoring in music
in college he moved to Hollywood to pursue his dream. After a
couple years of partying and starvation, he became disenchanted
with the industry and moved back to Chicago. Soon realizing that
he could not give up music Al started to play with several bands
before joining Hello Dave, this being one of his favorite bands
he had no problem quitting his day job to join them for a life
on the road. Since then Al says he has had some of the best years
in his life.
Lead Guitarist Mike “Magoo” McGohan
joined Hello Dave after playing an acoustic set with Al at an
all night party. He was later asked to play a few shows with
Hello Dave and a few shows turned into four years. Mike had been
playing guitar since college and was no stranger to music as
he had been in several bands, worked making amplifiers and as
a DJ all before joining the ranks of Hello Dave. Mike brings
an energy to the band that is infectious and his blues influenced
style is something that the audience can really get behind.
When percussionist Bryan Resendiz joined Hello
Dave just after returning from Drummers Collective in Manhattan
in 1995, his solid yet versatile drumming style and dedication
added a talent that helped to elevate the band’s playing
quality to the next level. Answering an ad Hello Dave had placed
for a new drummer, Bryan was quickly added as a member to the
band. With his personal musical influences being wide-ranging
he introduced several new and different elements to Hello Dave’s
own unique rock & roll sound while confidently moving the
band forward.
Becoming the 5th member of Hello Dave, keyboardist
Tony Orant has brought a finishing touch to the already rich
blend of sounds. Tony was addicted to music early and prides
himself on probably being the only kid in America that actually
asked for piano lessons. Through out High School and College
he played in several bands, some for a few weeks and others for
many years, all during which he developed his talent and his
ability to play in many different genres. While playing in a
band called Gertrude that opened for Hello Dave, Tony began sitting
in with them as a guest and has just never left. Now as a full
member of the band Tony helps to pull it all together into the
fun and original sound that Hello Dave has become known for.
It is amazing to see how many different music
lovers from all genres and generations find common ground at
Hello Dave shows. People of all interests and walks of life can
relate to the music. It seems this is all the band has ever wanted.Fans
often tell the band that there’s always a Hello Dave CD
in the stereo at their family reunions, and everybody young and
old sings along. It is this universal appeal that makes Hello
Dave an instant favorite. As for the future, Hello Dave would
like to continue to maintain and entertain on their way to rock’n’roll
stardom. |