Gus Alzona's Trademark at VFW Post 8241

Gus Alzona's Trademark

Style: Classic rock variety band performing danceable hits from the '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s and '00s.

Members: Whoever shows up plus... Gus Alzona is living proof that a lead guitarist does not need an expensive vintage or modern guitar and/or the latest electronics in order to sound good enough to actually get paid to perform on a regular basis. :-) As a toddler, Gus first moved to the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area a long time ago. After just minimal classical piano and singing experience, he played the role of the Captain in his elementary school’s production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera “H.M.S. Pinafore.” He taught himself to play guitar during the 1960s. In 1968 he founded what would later evolve into the Trademark band. In 1971 the band was booked by Cellar Door Productions to open for Alice Cooper at a college show in northern Virginia. In 1975 the band opened for Bruce Springsteen at a large club in College Park, Maryland. That same year Gus returned to college to eventually earn two degrees while maintaining a full-time day job and supporting a growing family. Since that time he has continued to maintain at least a part-time career as a professional musician over the decades since he first played guitar. From 1968 until 2006, the band was primarily a covers band that performed Top 40 hits as well as the most popular variety dance and rock tunes of those years. Trademark was booked by the top talent agencies in the tri-state area and performed at many premier venues. From 1989 until 1995, Gus worked full-time in the entertainment business as a music video and record producer, business manager, songwriter and performing artist. With his former songwriting partner, lead singer and co-band member Karen Keane (in both Eurasia and Trademark), he produced, recorded and performed on their self-titled album "Eurasia" - named after the power pop / techno / rock duo that fronted the Trademark band during that same time period. Various cuts from the Eurasia album were played on a few alternative music and college radio stations throughout the world, plus received airplay on DC 101.1 (FM), the top local rock music radio station in the huge metropolitan Washington, D.C. area marketplace. In 1992, Gus won the top local music video award for his half hour production titled "Karen Keane of Eurasia." Though they ultimately did not sign with any of the major record company labels interested in producing and distributing their material, Eurasia nonetheless achieved the highest success and recognition any independent label act could have achieved at that time in the alternative, college radio and local music markets. Even after re-entering the regular 9-to-5 corporate workforce in 1995, Gus continues to pursue his career as a working musician and band leader even to this day, albeit on a part-time basis. The Trademark band is currently a covers band that primarily performs classic rock tunes from the 1960s, '70s, '80s, '90s, and modern rock tunes, for private clients and local live music venues in the tri-state area. From early 2006 until just recently, the Trademark band has been comprised of four male musicians who sing, and also play one or more of the following instruments: lead guitar, bass guitar, keyboards and drums. As a lead guitar player and backup vocalist, Gus has been influenced by the works of artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana, Alvin Lee, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Eddie Van Halen. Depending on the show, he uses a modified 2006 Washburn X10, a 1982 G&L SC-3 or a 1968 Gibson SG Special guitar as his primary "axe". He also uses various combinations of the following gear in order to produce the authentic "classic rock" sounds required for Trademark band shows: Marshall model 1982A JCM800 series 4-12" cabinet, Marshall Model 1933 JCM800 series 1-12" cabinet, Marshall 9001 lead series pre-amp combined with a 400 watt BGW 8000, Sundown SD1000H Artist Head, Kustom 200 head, 1969 model Acoustic 135 combo amp - 200 watt lead amp with 2-12" speakers, Boss DS-1 distortion pedal, Behringer Hell Babe Wah pedal, and/or a DOD 575 Flanger pedal.

How to Book: Call/text 1-202-288-8011 or email: GusAlzona@gmail.com

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