Alvis (aka William Alan Schnitzer) was born January 9 1958 in Neptune, NJ. He started playing music at the early age of 8 as a drummer. He has been playing guitar and singing professionally since 1972 and teaching music for many of those years. He wet on to form JP Gotrock in 1981. Other member of JP Gotrock over the years included Tim Cusack, Don Erdeman (Hot Romance), Vinnie Roslyn (of various early Springsteen bands including Steel Mill) and Vini Lopez of the E-Street Band and first two Bruce Springsteen albums.
Since 1990 he has been a member of Chik-A-Boom co-founded with John Cavallo. John was previously in a very successful 80's band called "Joey and the Works". Other members of Chik-A-Boom over the years have included AsburyJukes drummer Joe Belia, Asbury Jukes keyboardist Kevin Kavanaugh, keyboardist Dusty Micale (who also peformed and wrote songs for Cindy Lauper) and drummer Steve Max (Hall and Oates).
He has performed regularly over the years at the various hot clubs of the shore to include the Fast Lane and the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, Jenkinsons in Point Pleasant, the Tradewinds and Rum Runner in Sea Bright, the Columns in Avon, Bar Anticipation in Belmar, the Parker House in Sea Girt and Leggetts in Manasquan.
He is also a songwriter, composer and collaborator, working with several original acts over the years including his current collaboration with the awesomely talented singer-songwriter Spring.
He has been an organizer, volunteer and performer at dozens of non-profit events, including the Clearwater Festival at Sandy Hook. This past year he helped book and coordinate the entertainment, performed with 3 different acts and was a stage announcer.
His musical influences are Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Albert King and Keith Richards, Otis Redding, early Rolling Stones, Yardbirds, Bob Dylan. The Counting Crows and Spring are my two current faves.
He is a Computer programmer during the day with several computer certifications.
http://www.alvisrocks.com