I'd like to meet:
Bone Sugar is:
Joey Bones – Lead Vocals
Joe gets his musical influence from his mother & father. is father was an accordion player and his mother was always singing around the house. Joe started playing guitar at the age of 4 and was introduced to hard rock and heavy metal music by his 2 older brothers, which brought about his first band in fourth grade. And he has been playing in bands ever since.
Joe is a multi-talented musician who not only Sings, but also plays the Guitar(rhythm and lead), Bass guitar, Drums, and is steadily advancing at the Keyboards. His love of music has taken him to another level. In his earlier years he has played in a few other bands, such as “Spitting Image†that was later called “Candid†as their bass player,. He has a genuine love of all styles of music and is always looking for the next challenge.
With these other stints under his belt, Joey helped to co-found Bone Sugar. Finally finding an avenue that let’s his personality and love of music, really come out to the audience. And that’s where he is REALLY at home. On a stage, rocking a group into a frenzy. His energy and enthusiasm are infectious to every one around him and every person in the audience. Joey knows what the crowd wants and delivers the goods! Visit: www.bonesugar.com
Dave Johnson – Lead Guitar and Backing Vocals
Classically trained on piano and trumpet at age 5, Dave grew up playing in orchestras and jazz bands. But at age 14, he discovered the electric guitar and he knew he had found his true musical love. Over the years, Dave has performed in every type of rock band, from covers to original, to different mixes of both, ranging from Elvis Presley to Slayer, with a wide range of diversity in between. In addition to his broad spectrum of musical interests, Dave has become a tube amplifier aficionado. He plays amps by Marshall, Reeves, Fender, and Top Hat to mention just a few.
His years of performing many different types of music, as well as several diverse artists, have influenced Dave. Some include: Steve Howe, Tony Iommi, Randy Rhodes, Jimmy Page, and Peter townshend. Some of Dave’s previous projects have included Rat Salad, Signals, Haggis, and The Line Up Band. Visit: www.bonesugar.com
Mike Filipek – Bass guitar and Backing Vocals
Mike has played with many types of bands from Elvis to Motown, and Metal to Mambo.He has reoccurring nightmares that he is sentenced to play eternity in a wedding band. He recorded a solo CD, “Come On In†(Los Fish Records) in 2001, which received airplay on WIIL, as well as numerous college stations. In addition to Hard Rock from the 70’s through today, Mike enjoys all types of music, especially R & B from New Orleans.
One of his favorite moments was meeting the legendary Ernie K-Doe. Mike’s main influences are John Entwistle, Gary Thain, & Geddy Lee. Visit: www.bonesugar.com
Mark Phelps – Keyboards, Guitars and Backing Vocals
It is a proven fact that Keyboard players are the geeks of Rock and Roll, and Mark is doing his part to uphold this long-standing tradition. His background in Classical, Blues and Jazz, and the fact that he is surrounded on stage by a ton and a half of all the latest techno stuff supports his claim to "Nerd" of Bone Sugar! The only thing stopping him from wearing a pocket protector and a propeller hat is that his strap gets stuck on them when he takes his guitar on and off.
All kidding aside, Mark brings years of theater, stage, concert and sound track experience to Bone Sugar by being able to add just the right "icing" to all of their songs, or by taking center stage and laying down some serious piano, organ or synth parts that will soon be identified as part of Bone Sugars ability to reproduce so many of our fans favorite tunes. Mark can also get in your face with his wicked Les Paul/Mesa Boogie combo and add some crunchy, kick ass guitar to the mix when the songs need it, instead of his keys. So check out Bone Sugar’s latest addition and learn why Mark had the honor of being the only musician ever named "Favorite Keyboardist in Chicago" by the Chicago Rocker Magazine. He's the one behind and in front of all those wires and stuff on the left side of the stage. Visit: www.bonesugar.com
John Sweeney – Drums and Backing Vocals
This explosive entertainer has been shredding the local music scene, as well as, the regional and national circuits for well over 30 years. With 35+ years of drumming experience, John has played with many local favorites such as "Star Trooper", "One Arm Bandit", "Endless Flight", "Street Kids", "Bad Influence" and most recently, four & 1/2 years with “Holy Moses!â€. Also a three-year stint with heavy medalists "Ravage" brought about the debut album "Wrecking Ball" on Mike Varnee’s label, Shrapnel Records. With its success (it reached the top 10 on the European Import List) came extensive touring, both nationally and internationally. The raw energy and enthusiasm that he brings to each performance is never ending. The thing that really motivates him is, "If the music and his band mates are powerful, hard edged, raw and kick*s, then there are no limits to what they can create or accomplish. His biggest musical influences are Mike Portnoy of Dream Theatre and Virgil DeNotte.
