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Allister
Biography
Chicago punk-pop combo Allister was formed in 1995 by vocalist/drummer Tim Rogner and guitarist Johnny Hamada, longtime classmates who first teamed in a cover band organized to play their school talent show. The duo expanded to a trio the following year after Hamada met bassist Eric "Skippy" Mueller at the University of Illinois, and in early 1997 the group played their first live date under their original name, Phineas Gage. They eventually rechristened themselves Allister after a character on the children's program You Can't Do That on Television; accordingly, the band's 1998 Drive-Thru label debut 7" was entitled You Can't Do That on Vinyl. In mid-1998, Mueller assumed second guitar duties following the addition of bassist Scott Murphy. The full-length Dead Ends and Girlfriends followed a year later from Drive-Thru, recorded for a mere $700. Allister's catchy songs and jokester attitude (album cover song choices included the Fraggle Rock theme song) helped build the guys a pretty respectable following. Hamada and Mueller later made their exits, so Rogner not only moved over to guitar, but also added in his brother Chris to fill the vacancies. New drummer Dave Rossi further jumped into the Allister fray.
Selected Discography