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A veteran of many south side bands, Ed has played with The Hidden Thought, Negative Image, Fever Tree, Greystone Fox, and punk band The Exit. While in The Exit, the band opened for Boom Town Rats, The Stranglers, and traveled to New York to play at CBGB. Ed has met Andy Summers from the Police, Bruce Springsteen, Todd Rundgren, and his hero, the late great Buddy Rich who told him, “Never Stop.”
Pat Smith - Lead guitar/Keys/Vocals A classically trained multi-instumentalist/arranger with a Musical Performance Degree from De Paul University, Pat has played in many Chicago based bands, performing at venues such as the Park West and Chicago Fest. His versatile style allows him to perform in practically any type of ensemble-rock, blues, country, acoustic, and jazz. Jim Viverito - Bass/Vocals Jim grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He spent most of his youth with a guitar in his hands learning just about every type of song he heard from top 40 to commercials and tv theme songs. He played in several heavy metal bands including, Abomination, Lucid, Black Castle, Emanon, and Brick Jackhouse. After a several year musical hiatus, he decided to pick up the bass once again by joining a north side, cover band called Beautiful Chaos. The band broke up after a few years and Jim started booking bands at a Lockport club where he saw a band called Club 44 performing. Shortly after that their bass player quit and the rest is history. John Schmeske - Lead Guitar/Vocals Influenced by guitar greats such as Page, Clapton, Frampton and Beck, John, a.k.a. Johnny Rocker picked up his first guitar shortly after seeing the Beatles on Ed Sullivan in 1964. Sharing a guitar and lessons with his brother, he saved up enough money to buy his own guitar and amp by age twelve. Learning or stealing licks from anyone who would give him the time, he preferred playing acoustic guitar at parties for family and friends over the band scene. But after receiving a call in 1999 from high school friend Ed Smith, John along with Greg Stofferhan and Pat Smith formed Club 44 and are still rockin' after 11 years. John's powerful lead vocals are the bands' driving force! |
