Meet the Band

EGO is a high energy rock band that has been rocking South Florida for the last couple of years. Fronted by the talented and sexy Zaida Alfaro. We like our audience to have as much fun as we do. We play originals as well as popular songs from the 60′s,70′s,80′s,90′s and 00′s.The Band:

Zaida: Vocals The heart and soul.	Rob: Bass guitar / vocals	Paul: Guitar / vocals
Mike: Drums	Carlos: Lead guitar / vocals

To hear’s Zaida’s originals and check out her bio and pictures visit: www.myspace.com/zaidazaida

ZAIDA – Eclectic singer/songwriter born and raised in Miami, Fl.  Zaida’s musical career began with an independent label. After taking guitar lessons, she began to combine her own original poetry with some basic guitar melodies, the result of which was her debut album, “Train Ride” which was released in 2000. Recently, as an independent artist, Zaida completed a demo to continue showing the people the world through her eyes.  She started with the band EGO over 2 years ago.  The band found her through an ad and its been “happily ever after” since then.

“I want the people to feel what I felt, to see what I have seen, and to know what I have learned. I want my music to be the window to my soul for the world to peak in. It is more than just listening to the songs; it is breathing in the words.”

ROB – Along with Mike, a founding member of EGO. Rob brings over 27 years experience as a bass player and several “more years” as a vocalist. He hails from Calgary Alberta, Canada and has called South Florida home for the past 9 years. His favorite band is U2, which would be apparent to anyone that comes to our shows. His favorite bass player is Sting. “I like to keep it simple on bass. Play in a pocket with the drummer.” Gear used: Musicman and Lakland Basses, SWR amp’s, Boss/Maxon effects.

PAUL – Having completed his well known, four-volume treatise on the exploitation of gamma rays for gamma-dating of the known universe by the age of five, Paul developed a keen interest in music, as it relates to theory and mathematics, at an early age. However, any practical application to real instruments would not be realized (shall we say, ‘pent up’) for years as he was occupied first with formal educational pursuits and later in service to country as a mission specialist and key stellar navigation advisor on two of the later Apollo missions and no fewer than three top secret shuttle missions including a stint aboard the MIR space station (unbeknownst to the Russians). Having tired of the space program by the age of 19 and seeking a more grounded way to serve humanity he embarked on a global journey of advocacy for the exploited and down-trodden. While pressing for the rights of indentured African diamond mine workers in the heart of the Congo he received a severe bump on the head as a result of an intentional mine collapse – triggered by the very people he sought to help. Upon awakening he found that, in addition to 81 stitches in his head that eerily spelled out the moniker “Freebird”, he was suddenly imbued with the most rudimentary guitar skills that he could neither advance by fervent practice nor retard by neglect and atrophy. He was trapped at one skill level. (for Paul’s complete bio. click here)
 

MIKE – Often described as a “human metronome on speed” – Mike has been pounding the skins, shattering eardrums and breaking sticks since the age of thirteen when he got his first drumset. In addition to providing the rock-solid backbeat of EGO, he is responsible for the eye-catching posters and imaginative graphics used to promote the band’s upcoming shows.

A Florida native, Mike has grown up in the the South Florida music scene and was a founding member of EGO many years ago when it was first formed. He credits the band’s longevity to the easy-going, charismatic personalities of the current members, the eclectic playlist of songs and their approach to having a fun time on stage while entertaining and interacting with the audience.
 

CARLOS – The latest addition, Carlos joined EGO in December of 2007.  A native of South Carolina, he followed the same path as most cover band musicians, picking up the guitar in his teens and playing in local bands for several years while in school.  Later, he paid his dues as a pro. musician touring the Southeast for over 4 years with a funk/rock/dance cover band. As their lead guitarist and vocalist he played at virtually every college campus and every major (AND obscure) club from North Carolina to southern Alabama. He has found a perfect fit with EGO since “no one takes ANYTHING seriously – and there is only one &*$%#^ disco song on the set list”. He plays Fender and Paul Reed Smith guitars, Boss pedals and Marshall amps “that go to 11″.

More about Paul:

Having completed his well known, four-volume treatise on the exploitation of gamma rays for gamma-dating of the known universe by the age of five, Paul developed a keen interest in music, as it relates to theory and mathematics, at an early age. However, any practical application to real instruments would not be realized (shall we say, ‘pent up’) for years as he was occupied first with formal educational pursuits and later in service to country as a mission specialist and key stellar navigation advisor on two of the later Apollo missions and no fewer than three top secret shuttle missions including a stint aboard the MIR space station (unbeknownst to the Russians). Having tired of the space program by the age of 19 and seeking a more grounded way to serve humanity he embarked on a global journey of advocacy for the exploited and down-trodden. While pressing for the rights of indentured African diamond mine workers in the heart of the Congo he received a severe bump on the head as a result of an intentional mine collapse – triggered by the very people he sought to help. Upon awakening he found that, in addition to 81 stitches in his head that eerily spelled out the moniker “Freebird”, he was suddenly imbued with the most rudimentary guitar skills that he could neither advance by fervent practice nor retard by neglect and atrophy. He was trapped at one skill level.

With no formal training he could endlessly pound out snippets of most any southern rock song, without actually completing the entire song. This all made sense, since he grew up in Jacksonville during the genesis and hey day of the Southern Rock era having brief associations with such greats as Skynyrd, Hatchet, and extended family members of Butch Trucks and Pat Boone. He was unknowingly influenced by the greats of a true American genre which served to fuel his pent up demand. He further found that he had the unique talent of singing slightly off key and slightly in front of, or behind the beat of any popular tune he put his mind to. A major dose of minor talent; concealed; shrouded; pent up until that fateful bump on the head. He could also boast of never encountering a three-chord song that he couldn’t master in under one year as long as at least two of the chords were major chords and no more than one was a minor chord (also, the chords must be in chromatic sequence in open G tuning…and the underlying bass line cannot be drowned out by the idiot drummer).

Being frustrated by the painfully slow rate of release (due to his skill level) of this new found left-brain well spring of repetitive song bites and snippets he searched for a consistent outlet for his passion. Two words came to mind…..”Cover Band”. He would need a band with an excess of talent (and sufficient volume) to mask his unique playing style when necessary and deliver a seamless vocal presentation that actually sounds like the song.

Enter EGO! An ironically un-egotistical band with the right mix of talent, patience, and monster PA credentials to present a formidable unified sonic front to any audience no matter how close they are. Having stood on stage with these talented musicians for nearly three years (surviving the infamous “Hell Tour of March ‘08” where the band performed over four gigs in one month – a challenge at our age) Paul has found his home in cover band heaven. With his electric arsenal of failing equipment from the early 90’s he pounds out the overdriven rhythms which are the bedrock foundation upon which the temple of song is constructed. Likewise, he provides a backdrop of acoustic tapestry on which the finely woven melodies of this dynamic five-some are stitched, looped, and embroidered to hold the crowd in a suspension of ethereal nirvana. He also gets to sing and play leads when the other band members are too drunk to care, or carry on.

Come……bare witness….bare all!!…and experience the passion that is EGO, and remember, it’s not just about the music so tip heavily.