Personnel: George Langis, guitar; Nick Langis, lead vocals; Pete Stergios, drums; Jimmi Monroe, bass.
Formed: Fall 1988. The band, featuring Stergios and the brothers Langis, was a three-piece in high school, with Nick playing bass.
Current lineup together since: May 1990, when Monroe joined.
Sound: ”Some of our songs have an alternative kind of sound, meaning the arrangements aren`t just typical,” says George Langis. ”Some are catchy pop- rock stuff. I just call it hard rock `n` roll.”
Influences: ”We all love Van Halen, we all like Ozzy Osbourne, and we`re all into the Beatles, the Stones and Aerosmith,” George says. ”And Jane`s Addiction is cool.”
Songwriting: George says he and Nick are the main songwriters, ”but by the time a song is on tape, everyone has contributed.”
Onstage cover versions: The band covers Jimi Hendrix`s ”Foxey Lady”
and, occasionally, Van Halen`s ”Unchained.”
Accolades: Sphinx was voted favorite new hard-rock band in this year`s Chicago Rocker awards.
Memorable experience: ”In the wintertime some people made snowmen on our front lawn and dressed them up to look like us,” George says.
Namesake: ”Nick came up with that name when we were 14,” George says.
”He said, `Hey, let`s call ourselves Sphinx.` There really was no thought involved at all.”
Recordings: The band`s self-titled, four-song tape is available at shows and some area record stores. They recorded it in September at Jor-Dan Studios in Wheaton and mixed it at Chicago Recording Co.
Philosophy: ”Write tunes and play real hard,” George says. ”It`s all about the songs.
Goals: ”To have a major record deal by the end of the year and for us four to stay together for decades,” George says.
Next appearance: June 29 at Chances R in Palatine; July 13 at the Avalon.
