80’s New Wave Dance Band

Bringing Back the Synth-Driven Sounds of 80s New Wave

The 5-member band was formed in 2018 comprised of musicians with a long history of playing classic rock. The idea of playing 80’s New Wave was largely the result of having two keyboard players in the band. Now many bands have NO keyboard players, but we had TWO so what else could we do but embrace the wonderful and popular keyboard-driven synthsounds of the early 80s.

A Timeless Sound for All Generations

These were the songs of our youth, filling university clubs and dance bars. Now, 40 years later, we’ve discovered that almost everyone still LOVES them. People of all ages sing along and dance all night, from the 50 to 70+ crowd reliving the music to young fans who know every word.

Upcoming Shows

Meet The Band

Bruce Chambers – bass and vocals

Bruce is one of Niagara’s best known musicians. You thought James Brown was the hardest working musician in show business – well the Godfather hasn’t seen Bruce’s gig schedule. He gets plucked by jazz bands, rock bands, folk bands, Elvis bands and alt-jazz lounge bands dressed in velour to add wonderful bottom end. When people ask what Niagara’s bottom end is looking like these days – we can easily say – “it looks pretty good”. Bruce is always the best dressed member of the band and can be seen wandering through the crowd during shows to discuss how your meal is or basic chit chat during the easier songs.

Rob Wilkinson – keyboards and vocals

The New Wave band was Rob’s idea. Thanks Rob. He payed an outrageous ticket price to see Depeche Mode – that’s how much he likes New Wave. He also knows what most of the buttons do on these very complicated modern synthesizers. If you want to find him on stage, just follow the million lights that reside around his fingertips. We work to make the songs sound the same as you remember them. Much of the heavy lifting to make this happen is due to Rob’s talent and dedication. Thanks Rob.

Matthew Sibiga – guitar and vocals

Poor Matthew. He thought he would just cruise through his musical life riffing on great classic rock tunes and for the better part of 20 years he has done just that. Not now. He’s in a New Wave band. Believe it or not, there are many iconic guitar parts that are essential to re-creating songs like Psycho Killer and Just Like Heaven. There’s wonderful lead work in Bowie’s Let’s Dance – so don’t worry Matthew – you have found a home between the keys. Also – he’s the only one who can sing the high notes on Take On Me.

Don Wininger – keyboards and vocals

Before each show, Don asks Rob what the first note is – A or D. The correct answer is A. This is the kind of teamwork that makes the double keyboard setup work in The Arythmics. When Don sings a bad note, Rob gives him a good scowl and head shake – that’s how you get better, right? Don is expected to sing in English, French and German and Annie Lennox. When asked if this is difficult, he says, “sometimes, but the German? … you can just make that Scheiße up.”

Jan Idzenga – drums and vocals

Finding a solid drummer that won’t spontaneously combust AND can sing? Seems like a dream right? Well, it’s no dream. Jan has NEVER exploded while playing for The Arythmics although he could have after Don accidentally dropped a full glass of beer in his cymbal bag. Both Don and the cymbal bag survived. Jan, like Bruce, is often “stolen” from The Arythmics to play in other rock bands to drum AND sing. He goes back and forth from Rock to New Wave so much, we may start calling him a “Switch Hitter”.