The Anthony Lai Band

The Anthony Lai Band is a Dearborn, Michigan based band that plays a mix of original songs and covers.  The band’s eclectic style ranges from relaxed acoustic gigs to high-power electric rock, with musical influences from classical to classic rock and jazz to funk.  The Anthony Lai Band has the right mix of musical ability, inspiration and stage energy.  Individually, each band member has wide ranging stage experience playing with different bands and university music ensembles.  Collectively the band's musical heroes are The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, Joe Walsh, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Queen, Blues Traveller, Mark Knopfler and Stephen Stills.

Along with the wide range of musical genres covered, the band members play a wide range of instruments including not only guitar, bass and drums, but also keyboards, percussion, saxophone, flute, recorder, mandolin and classical guitar.

To quote Anthony, "Much of the band is classically trained, but our rock and roll roots allow us to cover music that goes from very melodic Beatle-esqu tunes to the funk of the Red Hot Chili Peppers quite easily, and our shows are always a unique mix of styles.  The formation of this band is the culmination of 4 years work, finding the right matches in musicianship, personality, and chemistry.  At long last, the band has formed and I am quite proud to work with this large amount of talent."

This act is available for booking as the full electric band or reduced down to trio or solo acoustic performance. The group can also be enhanced with a string and/or brass ensemble at larger venues and special events.

Members:

Anthony Lai: Guitar and vocals- Anthony has been performing for 13 years and is also a composer/songwriter. He has studied rock, classical, and jazz guitar and is largely inspired by the harmony, style, and message of The Beatles. He was invited to the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Ball in Washington DC, where he played guitar and did vocals with the Henry Ford Big Band. Anthony arranged music for the Detroit Red Wings' 2008 Championship Ceremony and composed original music for the city of Dearborn’s Hometown Documentary.

Anthony Fiolek: Drum kit and percussion- Tony has been playing percussion for 7 years. His musical influences include funk, jazz, Latin and classic rock. He also plays professionally at events, theater gigs and temps with local rock groups.

Joe Giese: Lead Guitar and vocals- Joe is a Dearborn raised musician with remarkable fluency on lead guitar. His style can range from subtle, melodic fills to soaring, overdriven leads as the music demands. He has been gigging for 7 years and plays lead guitar in another Dearborn area band, The Wall Clocks.

Bonnie Schippling: Keys/Vocals/Percussion- Bonnie has a rich range of musicianship, which adds indispensable color and detail to the band. She has been performing for 15 years and in addition to the Anthony Lai Band, she sings with the Dearborn Renaissance Voices and the vocal jazz ensemble, Midnight Blue. She is a studio musician for other local bands.

Nick Kischuck: Bass- Nick's melodic bass-lines add the final element to the band's sound. Also a guitarist and songwriter in his own right, his understanding of the role of the bass within a song makes for a solid, musical low end.