Bio & History of Band & Members

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Alternate Past was created by four individuals who wanted to challenge the typical ideas of what a cover band should look and sound like.  To best describe it, it involves converting popular songs along a broad range of musical eras and genres, into “rocked up” and often more danceable songs, better suited to a live audience.  Their goal is to capture the crowd’s attention, by enticing them with hit songs they already know, but adding a creative twist so that they can’t wait to hear what’s next.  Though not all of Alternate Past’s set list offers “alternate” versions of your favorites, it does offer enough variety to persuade those who may have other plans at another establishment to stick around for awhile.  Alternate Past has taken songs that you slow danced to at your prom and listened to on lazy Sunday mornings with your parents, and converted them into heart-thumping, fist-pumping, dance-your-ass-off songs that everyone enjoys!

 Alternate past has something for everyone; Music from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and beyond!  They incorporate soft rock, dancing songs, popular movie sound tracks, and even a few songs for the die-hard metal fans.  In some cases, just one of their songs may include all of those elements!  Their musical repertoire includes over 80 songs and up to four hours of music!

Dave Maiden - Lead Vocals

Dan Riportella - Lead Guitar

 

Dave is 31 years old, and has lived in Lake County, IL for most of his life.  He is the Electronic Security Administrator for a Fortune 500 technology sales company, and has been a licensed private investigator in multiple states.  When he’s not at work, he can usually be found on a golf course or watching the Cubs or Bears with family and friends.  He graduated from the College of Lake County and played ice hockey for Illinois State University where he earned his Criminal Justice Sciences degree.

Having parents who were heavily into 60s and 70s music, he grew up with a strong exposure to oldies, and classic and progressive rock.  Later, he discovered punk, pop, and metal, giving him a broad spectrum of influences to which he attributes his vocal range.   

His love for performing live music with his friends has been his foremost passion for several years.  In his words, “I’m extremely fortunate not only to be a part of a musical group in which we’re all close friends first, and band mates second, but also to have my name listed among so much musical talent.  We make each other laugh, our families hang out together, and we truly enjoy what we do.”

Equipment   

Dave uses a Shure SM-58 wireless microphone.

Dan Riportella is 38 years old and lives in Lake in the Hills with his wife of 9 years, Michelle, and three children, Anthony - 7, Danielle - 5, and Nicholas - 3.  Dan manages an auto repair shop in downtown Arlington Heights.  He has been playing guitar for over 30 years and has shared the same stage as various national acts.  Some of them are Chicago, Loverboy, Bockman Turner Overdrive, and Enuff Z’Nuff, just to name a few, and he  has also played such venues as the Rosemont Theater, Holiday Star Theater, Avalon Nightclub, Thirsty Whale, Durty Nellies, Penny Road Pub, Jesse Oaks, and Mickey Finns.  Dan has also played with many local touring acts.   

Jim Marquette - Bass

Dan started out as an inspired want-to-be musician in the early to mid 70’s.  There were many great bands at that time such as Deep Purple, Rush, Ted Nugent, Ozzy with the Sabs and without, Kiss, And Let’s not forget the one band that left the biggest impression, Van Halen!  Dan had just started playing when Eruption hit the radio.  What an impact; The rest is history.  He has played with many bands in his journey, but as the rest of the members feel about this band,  Alternate Past is something special.  There are no boundaries or limitations.  It’s just a fun band that keeps everyone interested at all times to see what they are going to do next. 

Equipment

Dan's Arsenal:Guitars Many Favorites - Custom Reverse Headstock Ripper Model Strat - 81' Gibson Les Paul - 3 Bill Sarricola Custom Hand Models / Too Many to others to Name / Various Acoustics Amps - 5150 two / Hot Rodded Marshall JCM 800 / Celestion packed Peavey Mid 80's Cabinets.  Effects - Tc Electronics / Major Sized Pedal Board

Jimmy is 46 years old and lives with his wife of 26 years, Lori, and their three children, Justin, 17 and Brandon, 14 and Cody, 9.  Jimmy is a union painter and has painted everything from local commercial buildings to recently built properties.

Jimmy is a seasoned veteran and brings an extreme amount of experience to the band.  He has played many different styles of music.  He has covered rhythm and blues, to today’s current rock music.  Some of his main influences are Rush, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Black Sabbath, and Van Halen.  He has talented siblings that were all involved in music and helped him find his way and passion for music.  From an early age he was surrounded by brothers that have played and toured with national acts.  This helped fill the solid background that has brought him to where he is today.  To name a few of his many bands were Hit and Run, Lazy Boy, Skeleton Crew, and Band of Lost, which is a band he still continues to jam with from time to time.  

Frank Amanti - Drums

Jimmy’s interest in Alternate Past is to pursue different styles of music, and continually recreate a new way of taking some of the greatest music and making it   fresh.  Therefore, he is a great life support, and someone that brings an essential component to this band.

Equipment Early 70’s Fender Precision Bass (Updated Electronics), GK 700 RB Series Amp, GK 4 x 10 Speaker Cabinets

Donna B. - Manager

She is 27 and is a single mom of two wonderful little boys.  One is is 7 and another who is 2. Besides running around after them and us, she works for a large medical company located in Bannockburn. She grew up in the Lake Villa / Antioch area. Her musical talent; US!

 

Frank Amanti is 36 years old and lives with his wife of 13 years, Theresa, and his two children, James, 13 and Jessica, 9.  Frank has been drumming for over 25 years and has been taught in all styles of music.  Jazz, big band, classical, pop and rock are all within his comfort level.  His favorite Alternate Past songs to perform live are “Paint it Black” and “In the air Tonight.”  Frank manages an automotive repair shop in Winthrop Harbor called Alexander’s Auto Care, and has been in the automotive repair industry for over 18 years. 

After a short hiatus from music after the birth of his first child, Frank has returned to the stage with a full head of steam.  “At first, I started playing again just to see if I could still do it, and quite honestly, I wanted my kids to think I was cool.  But after playing with Dave, Dan, and Jimmy, there is no way I’d ever stop, short of losing a limb, and even that might not stop me… Just look at the guy from Def Leppard!” In addition to music and spending time with his family, Frank plays in an adult baseball league for the Lake County Del Toros, and is currently their starting second baseman and back-up catcher.

Equipment    Frank almost exclusively uses Pearl session master drums with a large selection of Zildjian cymbals, Remo drum heads and Vater drum sticks.