Band

The Band

Click on the pictures of the band members to learn more about them:

Jon

Mike

Rich

Band Biography

Rich Perez
DOB: 05/21/81
Instrument: Rhythm Guitar/ Lead Vocal/ Writer

Rich was born in Chicago and raised in Florida and Texas. At the age of 13, he moved back to a Chicago suburb (Frankfort, IL) and has lived there since. Perez was interested in music even as a child. He played the clarinet in school. He learned to play the piano on his own around the age of 7. In fact, he could play almost anything he picked up with no previous experience. He played the drums until he picked up a guitar. This was the instrument that fascinated him the most. Perez also trained his vocal chords by singing along with various styles of music. His childhood favorite was the legendary Elvis Presley. Perez says that he has been a �closet singer� for most of his life. He never really sang in front of anyone until he joined the band. Perez has strong vocals that blend well with his rhythm acoustic guitar. He was good friends with fellow classmate Mike Baxter from high school. Mike would come over and play on Rich�s drums and Rich would play the guitar. This helped them learn the basics to playing each of their instruments. Currently Rich is working part-time, promoting the band, and practicing as much as possible.

Jon Schick
DOB: 06/10/82
Instrument: Lead Guitar/ Background Vocals/ Writer

As a child, Schick lived in Blue Island, IL. He later relocated to Peotone, IL. In this small town, he attended high school. Little did he know, at his high school he would later meet his future band members. Before the band was created in December of �99, Schick took electric guitar lessons for about 6 months. This helped him get the basic idea of guitar. Soon Jon was surpassing his teachings, so he independently developed his own style. He played the guitar for about a year before the band formed. He practiced with ex-bassist Lance Smith in his basement. They played cover songs with each other, molding and shaping their own musical capabilities. Currently Jon is attending Joliet Junior College, working part-time at his dad�s automotive shop, promoting the band, and practicing with Detour.

Daniel J. Cavenaugh
DOB: 04/20/81
Instrument: Bass/Writer

Coming from Blue Island is Detour�s bass player, D.J. He attended Bremen High School in Midlothian. DJ and Jon, the lead guitar player, know one another very well because they are cousins. D.J. started playing guitar soon after Jon taught him how to play a few chords. This led to D.J. buying his first guitar, and he began taking lessons. He only took lessons for little more than a month from the same teacher as Jon. In mid-August of 2001, ex-bass player Lance Smith left the band and D.J. was there to take his place. D.J. had been with the band from the start, not as a member, but more as a roadie/sound and instrument technician. He knew most of the songs well enough on the guitar to transfer them to the bass. D.J. now practices full time with the band and his talents are developing well.

Mike Baxter
DOB: 06/11/82
Instrument: Drums/ Background Vocals/ Writer

His whole life Mike has lived in the small township of Green Garden located in Monee, IL. He attended Peotone�s junior high and high schools. In junior high he met Rich Perez and they became the best of friends. Baxter was always interested in playing the drums but without a drum set he never got the chance. However, when Perez got a set of drums as a Christmas present, Baxter would steal a chance to play them whenever he could. After Perez found he preferred the guitar to drums and started to master this instrument, Baxter had the opportunity to play the drums more. Mike would now play accompanied by his friend. Mike met ex-bassist Lance Smith in class together and they both were on the football team. Lance suggested that the friends form a band. Baxter took the suggestion made by Smith and soon all the members got together, forming the band Detour. Mike attended the University of Illinois at Chicago for a year (but left in order to more fully devote himself to the band), and is now working part-time, promoting the band, and practicing as much as possible.

Detour�s Accomplishments

Since Detour has been together they have been many places and played many shows and gigs. In April of 2000, Detour got word that they made it into Ed McMahons Next Big Star Internet contest.. Then on July 22, 2000 as Detour watched the Webcast online Ed McMahon announced that Detour won the Rock Band Category. Detour won a trip to New York to make a demo at Sony Studios. They also won 5,000 dollars in cash. This money helped the band buy equipment and helped promotion costs. This got the ball rolling for Detour and now they are taking everything seriously. With a few years of hard work the band now can be heard on 94.7 the Zone and Q101's local shows. You can also find Detour playing at gigs around Chicago, some of venues include the HOUSE OF BLUES, ELBOW ROOM, WISEFOOLS PUB, THE BEAT KITCHEN, THE NOTE, and many other places too. Detour played showcases sponsored by 94.7 and Q101. Detour also has been on the road to college towns in Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, Kentucky, and Florida.. Detour just finished up their first full-length album in July of 2003. It's a 16-track album that was completly paid for by the bands biggest fan and good friend (drumroll please...........................................................) Mr. Don Rizz. Special thanks to Don because he has given Detour an opportuninty that is hard to come by, and his generosity is greatly appreciated. Detour has played in MOBfest 2002 and 2003 (Chicago's largest gathering of bands in front of record executives and A&R's from all over the world) In November of 2003 Detour was invited to MEIC which stands for Midwest Entertainment Industry Conference held in Lexington, Kentuckty. Detour opened up for Lennon later that November back home here in Chicago.