oliver Shaw
Born:	October 21st, 1999
From:	Essex Fells, NJ
Personal:	6th Grade
Instrument:	Bass / Lead Vocals / Keys
Vitals:	Brown eyes, brown hair 5'4" tall

Bio

Oliver Shaw doesn't have a lot of free time on his hands. He studies guitar, bass, piano, sax and vocals with many of the state’s best instructors and has since he was 8 years old. He loves music and writes songs, lyrics and melodies constantly. Oliver has an incredible, unique, soaring voice reminiscent of singers like Steve Perry and Brad Delp. He began vocal studies with a professional opera singer, Laura D’Avella, whose mentorship and expertise in music theory have been invaluable in Oliver’s vocal development. Oliver now studies with vocal coach, John Lawton, lead singer for the New Jersey-based band "Aliens." Oliver also feels very fortunate to be able to work with and learn from John Ginty, Going Dark’s producer and a renowned musician in his own right.

At age 10, Oliver met Alex and L.J., and GOING DARK was born. The band was searching for a bass player to add to the group, when, on suggestion from Ginty, the boys decided to keep the band a rock power trio, and Oliver took over the role of bass player. His favorite instrument to play has now become the bass, because Oliver finds it the most fun and most unique instrument he plays and says, “I love playing bass because, very rarely do you see the lead singer of the band as the bassist, and I like being different.” Oliver currently studies with 3 different bass teachers, all of whom Oliver loves learning from and from whom each gives Oliver different musical points of view. He also studies saxophone and keyboards, which create a unique repertoire of instruments on which he can work out new melodies and compositions.

Ask Oliver who his influences are, and you may be surprised at the 12 year-old’s answer: soul singers like Sam Cooke, classics like the Beatles and Led Zeppelin, bass player/lead singers like Roger Waters and Geddy Lee, and Oliver’s absolute favorite, Freddie Mercury, the lead singer for his favorite band, Queen. You can see Oliver’s influences in a GOING DARK performance, especially when he incites the audience to "Have a Clap!," “Stand up for what you believe in!" or engages them in a sing-along. Oliver is an "old soul," and, if given the chance, says he would travel back in time and go to the Woodstock Festival in 1969!

When he is on stage, Oliver can command a crowd like no other. However, after the show, he is a regular 12 year old kid. He likes Reese's milkshakes, playing on his iPhone, watching movies and eating nutella gelato. Of his band mates, Oliver says “I feel like Alex and LJ are the older brothers I always wished I had, but never did. Now I do!”

 

lj Militello
Born:	November 30th, 1997
From:	Livingston, NJ
Personal:	8th Grade
Instrument:	Guitar / Backing Vocals
Vitals:	Brown eyes, Brown hair 5'5" tall

Bio

It's a pretty common thing for a young guitar player to say that Eddie Van Halen is their biggest influence. It's quite another for a young guitar player to master Eddie's "Eruption" at age 10. That is just what LJ Militello did while studying guitar at Andy's Family Music in New Jersey. With his lessons, jam sessions, and performances, LJ knew that writing and performing music was where his future was going.

LJ soon met drummer Alex Fogg at a venue the two boys frequented. A mutual appreciation for music led the two to get together and with the addition of singer/bassist Oliver Shaw, formed the band GOING DARK. The sound of the band was solidified on day one with LJ's edgy guitar tones, riffs and solos perfectly framing the alto voice of Oliver and the thunder coming from Alex's drum kit. LJ's sound is a deep and complex formula, part shredder, part Slash, part Skynyrd, part Jimmy Page and, of course, with a touch of Eddie in there, as well. LJ is also a great singer and handles all the harmony vocal parts in the band. When LJ turned 13, he began studying guitar with Mark Dollar. Mark is a professional guitarist who tours and records with Kool & the Gang, Lil' Wayne and many others. Mark has introduced LJ to some new musical flavors including the blues and reggae, which have enhanced LJ's sound. LJ is proud to have Mark as a mentor and friend and even invites Mr. Dollar to come "sit in" with GOING DARK at various gigs!

LJ knows that an amazing guitar tone is the key to great rock n' roll. He plays Paul Reed Smith guitars, as well as his trusty Fender Telecaster and Stratocaster. He plays through a variety of vintage amps when recording and prefers super-old gear. LJ constantly scours the internet for guitars and aspires to have a big collection someday. When asked about his band GOING DARK, LJ says, "These guys are like my brothers, I can trust them with anything."
 

Alex fogg
Born:	July 17th, 1996
From:	Livingston, NJ
Personal	Sophomore HS
Instrument:	Drums
Vitals:	Green eyes, light brown hair 6'2" tall

Bio

At the age of 2, Alex started playing on his grandfather’s drum set. His grandfather is James Fogg, who studied with Vic Firth and played with such greats as Mel Torme, Liberace, Michael Jackson, The 4 Tops, The Temptations and Sammy Davis Jr. Alex's grandfather bought him his first kit at the age of 3 years old. Alex took private lessons from drum instructor John Natali until the age of 11.

At age 15, Alex is already an accomplished drummer. Serving as the backbone for New Jersey-based power trio GOING DARK, Alex has played venues like The Stone Pony, Gramercy Theatre in New York City, Northern Star Arena Great Adventure, and was featured on Fox 5’s "Good Day New York." He has studied drums with some of the best in the business, including the late great Louie Appel. It was Louie who showed Alex how to use a drum stick-mounted shaker to keep his groove steady and deep. While studying with music director John Ginty at the School of Rock in Montclair, NJ, Alex became friends with legendary Billy Joel drummer Liberty DeVitto. They performed an incredible double drum jam at the school for prospective students and parents, and Liberty continues to influence Alex and help guide him through his budding music career. Along with Liberty, Alex is influenced by Neil Peart, Stewart Copeland, Vinnie Appice, Buddy Rich, and, this year, Alex had a chance to study with one of his all-time favorites, Breaking Benjamin drummer Chad Szeliga. Alex plays Gretsch all-maple shell drums and uses Paiste cymbals, Gibraltar hardware and his favorite pair of Louie Appel signature series sticks by Vater. Alex resides in Livingston, New Jersey, and is currently studying with ace drum instructor David Silver, as well as mentoring young drummers at the School of Rock.

Alex juggles his busy schedule well, being a sophomore in high school along with practicing drums every day. He puts in 15 hours a week rehearsing with his bandmates, as well as performing regularly at local NJ venues. While Alex has accomplished so much at a young age, he still realizes there is so much more to learn and that it is a lifelong process to master the drums. Like Neil Peart, Alex feels that he will never be done taking drum lessons, as there are endless techniques to master. While other kids are at ball games, playing sports and hanging out with their friends, you will find Alex at his drum kit working on basics and figuring out his next rhythm for a new song for the band. When asked about Going Dark Alex says, "It's time to bring back rock and make it new all over again."