1994

Live at Sunshine Fest
Photo by Charles R. Snyder

January - Skafish, desperate to find a new performing vehicle, decides to form a new band. The project is ill-fated from the start. After several months of labor-some auditions, a line up is finally put together. For the first time, Skafish decides that the band should be named as a separate unit and calls the group "Aliennation." The initial roster features Chicago bassist Dennis McCurine, keyboardist “Waz” Lisek, guitarist David Cannon, who had recently received a music degree from Hofstra University, and drummer “Bam-Bam” Lindt, who had drummed for Chicago’s prestigious drum corp.—the Cavaliers. Just days before the first show on July 3rd, Lindt quits and is replaced at the last minute by a temporary replacement.

The group’s first performance is at the Sunshine Fest, an outdoor festival in Crown Point, Indiana with The Lemonheads, who recognize Skafish from his appearance in the film “Urgh! A Music War.” Skafish’s show is quite well received by the young audience, with Skafish’s larger than life presence filling the open outdoor venue. After the first concert, Chicago drummer Tony Dale becomes the new drummer, doing one show with the act, an Indiana club date. In August, Alonzo Villareal, a dedicated, technical jazz/rock oriented player becomes the fourth and final drummer. With only certain band members committed to the project, the new unit breaks up after only 3 shows, with the last performance on October 1. Director John Anderson tapes the last performance, completing 2 years of extensive live taping of Skafish.

Exasperated
Photo by Charles R. Snyder

A local compilation CD entitled “The Best Of The Region - Rock - ‘94” is released, and includes a studio recording of the Skafish track “Nothing I Can Do.” The track is a mid-tempo rocker, which expresses the internal frustration of inadequacy in relationships, showcasing an almost three octave vocal performance.

By years end, Skafish, feeling that he’s tried everything he possibly can, begins an extended break from performing.

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