ALASKA

Alaska biography
From Pennsylvania, USA - One-off release in 1998

This duo from Scranton Pennsylvania is formed by Al Lewis (Vocals, Drums, Percusion & Guitars) and John O'Hara in the keyboards, the first question you ask yourself when looking at the band's photo is ¿What's Jon Anderson doing behind the drums with Geddy Lee in the keyboards
The two musicians met in 1997 when playing in a cover band and decided to form a band, choosing the name was easy because both loved the UK song ALASKA, so without quitting their day jobs (Al is a constructor and John is a musical engineer) they recorded some songs and started to tour, according to O'Hara on an interview given for Stormbringer Webzine - http://www.stormbringerwebzine.co.uk/Interviews/AlaskaInterview.html - said they had a rough time because the Scranton audience likes cover bands and in one occasion they were asked during a gig to play "Macarena" and "YMCA".

Scranton's scenario according to Al is active for top 40, dance music and rock & roll, the public placed a lot of pressure on them for not having the decency playing music which the people has grown with it and love, but they insisted in their task and were invited to several Festivals like Progday, Near Fest and some outside USA, so in a few months they were able to release their debut (And only release until now) just called ALASKA with a cover incredibly similar to the ASIA logo..

The album is very solid, not outstanding but keeps getting better as the songs advance, the general atmosphere is like Tormato meets Trilogy with a touch of hard Rock, for this album the band counted with eight guest musicians including such instruments as bassoon, violins, viola, flute and oboe, with which they create a coherent orchestral and Symphonic sound.

According to the website, the duo is almost ready to release their second album which they promised will be stronger, but the news are not very encouraging because Al Lewis has been recruited by Starcastle, so probably we will not be listening their new material very soon.

ALASKA is not original or innovative, they just stick to the 70's Symphonic formula, but their sound is brilliant and bombastic so it's worth to give them a chance, I'm sure their debut album won't disappoint Symphonic followers.

Iván Melgar Morey - Perú