Avalanche is one of Wisconsin's newest party bands armed with a list of music to get you out on the dance floor. We incorporate an interesting twist to to many classic rock songs and are ready to bury you with new music too! We get crowds going and wiill never turn a cold shoulder to anybody looking to party on stage with the band. Avalanche is a complete music experience! Avalanche is: Kelly - Lead Singer & Guitar Claude - Lead Guitar & Vocal Jay - Bass & Vocals Lowell - Drums & Vocals Kelly Kelly Loken was born in a bayou.(or was it a crossfire hurricane?) None the less, he grew up in a small town where he accomplished absolutely nothing. Then one day while contemplating aspirations of doing absolutely nothing with his life, Loken heard a voice that would change his life forever. That voice was Mr. W. Axle Rose, and at that moment, rock-n-roll had taken Kelly's mind. After absorbing the influences of Guns-n-Roses, Alice In Chains, Metallica, Pearl Jam and many others, Kelly and close friend Claude Wait started their first band. Foolz of Fate. For almost a decade Kelly and Claude played the ol' Axle and Slash gigs, slowly, everyone went their separate ways. Something was missing. ENTER: Jay Voight and Lowell Zahrt; Bass and Drums with attitude!! Thus, Avalanche was born: focused on bringing old and new rock and roll together in one complete experience. . Loken says about band, " The 10 years prior to this, I've been around, played with a lot of different musicians and it's like there was always something missing from our shows. But with this group of guys and our revamped set list, the songs alone pump me up and people feed off that. As far as the guys go, I think I would probably quit if I couldn't work with these guys. We just click. It's like an incredible energy we give to each other every time we play. It's a blast. We're not just a rock band, we're friends." Top Claude Disclaimer: What you are about to read could be completely false or true. We have not been able to verify dates or guarantee accuracy of statements made about Claude at this time. Some facts below have been known to cause nausea and some minor cramping. Other people have reported nervous twitching and sleep disorder after reading this bio. Please consult with a licensed veterinarian before reading this article. As a child growing up in a farming family outside of Clintonville, Claude had an early desire to play guitar. This early desire landed a one week lesson that sucked and he never touched a guitar again until he moved out on his own into the big world. After realizing how much fun can be obtained by getting involved with a rock-n-roll crowd, Claude pursued the guitar once again with the desire of a madman and to this day is still trying to master the technique desired by so many. With a hidden desire to sing also, Claude has fronted a restless group of rockers in the green bay area and jammed with old time friend Kelly Loken on many previous foolish adventures. Claude has been involved in some small recording projects and enjoys all types of music which shows in his playing style. Claude remembers some of the first Avalanche Jams and states "It just worked! - It was perfect timing for everyone." Claude has taken on many new extremes in his life and is currently trying to master the Wake Board. Claude Jokes -"I hate water skiing - I last for about 2 minutes before I am vomiting from boredom. Give me a board any day and I'll be fighting for more time in the water" Claude currently plays a Fernandes and utilizes Boss effects but says "I will jam on whatever I can get my hands on" Top Jay Started playing Bass in the early 80's , I think (a couple of those years are still a little blurry). Quickly learned that I wasn't any good at it and quit. At the constant begging of Lowell I decided to give it another shot 3 years ago. It seems to be going a lot better this time. Hooked up with longtime relative Kelly and his partner in crime Claude to form Avalanche and after 2 1/2 years we finally got the kind of band we didn't even know we wanted. -I use Fender basses and Nemesis amps -My hobbies include Drinking beer, Talking stupid and apologizing a lot Avalanche isn't just another band it's a sickness. See ya at one of the Shows. Top Lowell The song may remain the same, but the playlist changes from time to time. Lowell's early drumming influences include the one and only John Bonham of Led Zeppelin, Ginger Baker of Cream and Mitch Mitchell of The Jimmy Hendrix Experience. Lowell began playing live in the Wausau area with Crane. Now playing with Avalanche he blends his driving rhythms with new and classic music alike. Stick around for a show and you may also catch a lengthy solo that's guaranteed to keep you rockin'. Lowell plays Mapex drums. But, ask him about his vintage Roger's kit sometime. Top