Background: Alpha Band was formed in 1985. At that time there was a huge demand for Greek bands playing Greek music at receptions, all over Australia. Since then, Alpha Band have moved with the times and included a mixed collection of party tunes and Italian traditional folk songs to their repertoire.
Members: Chris – lead vocals; Jim – keyboards; George – bouzouki; Peter – drums; Steve – bass; Dino – Italian singer / guitarist. What Alpha Band do: Weddings, functions, dances – any function that requires Greek, Italian and English music, Alpha Band are the entertainers for that special function. “We love entertaining people,” says Chris from the band. “The more we see the crowd going, the more it gets us going.” They have played shows in Melbourne, all over Australia and have done an international gig in New Zealand.
Most memorable function: “Back in the day where grooms would wear tails on their jackets, one groom dunked their coat tails in the toilet and it was funny to watch him spend the whole night under the hand dryer trying to dry it off,” reminisces Chris. He also recalls a time that one of the band members forgot their shoes at home and had to spend the whole performance in a suit and sneakers, hiding behind the speaker so no one would see his feet.
Bizarre requests: Chris lives by the motto “each to their own” and it’s your special day, it’s your function so “ask whatever you want”. Alpha Band cater to all requests and have been known to rock out to Metallica thanks to one heavy metal loving couple, play with pyrotechnics going off, get clouded by dry ice in the ’80s and inundated with a dancefloor of balloons.
Are you anything like Adam Sandler in The Wedding Singer? “Nothing like him,” says Chris laughing. “Actually, the hairdo’s from the ’80s. I did have some hairstyles like [Adam Sandler’s character in the movie] that but that’s where the comparison stops.”
Future plans: “As long as we they like us we will keep doing what we’re doing for another ten or so years, well until the fresh blood comes in and takes over,” says Chris. Contact: For more information and to book visit alphaband.com.au or call Chris on 0411 558 522.
