Rico Jaeger * Guitar / Vocals / Programming / Production...
Gary Erickson * Bass / Vocals / Bookings...
Tim Gessner * Drums / Vocals / Woodchip Factory...*...*...*Gary, Tim and I were all in rival central Wisconsin bands in the big 80's. I was in ROULETTE (Wausau) Gary was in STORM (Tomahawk) and Timmy was in UNIT ONE (Wisconsin Rapids). We had never met, yet we had an idea of who each of us was. In the mid 90's, Gary and I formed SHADOWLANDS - basically an 80's tribute rock act. After Shadowlands disbanded in '99, we got together with Tim and formed AREA 51 in June of 2001 and have been gigging since August of that year. We currently do covers - mostly current artists but also stretching back to the 70's, 80's & 90's. It's tough to be a full-sounding band with just 3 guys, so we all pull double duty on stage and enlist the infinite abilities of the digital age. We use a computer on stage to trigger samples from 2 digital sampler's, keyboard parts from 6 MIDI modules, auxillary percussion from 2 drum machines, and also to run our intelligent light system and our mix / FX. We have no crew - we do it all from driving the truck to set up to soundcheck to tear down. We do it because it's "in our blood." If you're a musician, you can relate. We have age, experience and a drive to excel in common, and have a very hard time with the concept of "good enough." We look forward to every gig and enjoy a wonderful rapport with our "bosses" at the clubs! (Thanks Rachel, Brian, Stephany, Turk, Tim, Billy, Steve, Matt, Dan, Jeff, Razz...and anyone else we've forgotten!) We owe a lot to BRIAN KIMBLE for rescuing us on the road when we had less-than-reliable transportation. He defines the SHOW MUST GO ON! Brian, what would we do w/ o you yelling "Priest" and "You suck" at every gig??? Also to our friends at Henri's Music and their endless technical abilities in keeping the digital information streaming on and off stage! Jerry's Music and Wausau Music have been very helpful as well. Jeff Cecil (We will miss you, Man!!) is always a blast to work with! Thanks to all the REGULARS (you know who you are and we appreciate you ALL!!) and please stop in and say "Hi" if you are seeing us for the 1st time. We also have AREA 51 T-Shirts available for purchase at all gigs or via mail. So...I'll close for now w/ a "THANK YOU" for coming by our site, PRAY FOR PEACE and console those that have been left lonely, and GOD'S BLESSINGS to every man, woman and child on the planet. Happiness, wisdom, honor and LOVE. Peace. Out. :)
An exerpt from our playlist: Holiday-Green Day; Rock N' Roll All Nite - Kiss; Dragula-Rob Zombie; My Way or the Highway-Limp Bizkit; Fantasy - Aldo Nova; Cars-Fear Factory; Bad Religion-Godsmack; Turn Up The Radio - Aotuograph; Beautiful People-Marilyn Manson; Anyway You Want It - Journey; One Step Closer-Linkin Park; Figure You Out-Nickelback; Shook Me All Nite Long - AC/DC; Crazy Bitch-Buckcherry; Bawitaba-Kid Rock. ...and the list goes on...
Hey guys! Hoping to come and see you again soon! Miss rockin! Have to get you somewhere closer to Cornell/Cadott area! Or even in Chippewa! I was just wondering...is The Original Bar & Grill a pretty big place, or is it crammed? Thinkin' about planning ahead so the whole "Cornell/Cadott Crew" can go! Later!
