from the Kane County Chronicle, Fri, Jan 4, 2002, "Sidetracks" section, page 8

The Bad Examples Chicago group reunites for concerts at Fitzgerald's Jan. 4-5

by Eric Schelkopf
Kane County Chronicle

Beloved Chicago pop-rock outfit The Bad Examples was together as a band for just over 5000 days. Make that 5002 days.

The Bad Examples, which broke up last year, is reuniting to play two shows at FitzGerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn, on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 4 and 5. The band is celebrating the release of The Bad Examples' final live album, "5000 Days." The 12-song CD was recorded in April 2000 at FitzGerald's during the band's last show together. Lead singer and band founder Ralph Covert is looking forward to getting together with his ex-bandmates one more time. "The last show was about celebrating the past. Now, all the pressure is off. All the drama is off. It is just about playing music with and for friends," Covert said in a recent phone interview.

The show starts at 9 p.m. and tickets are $10, available at Ticketmaster and FitzGerald's box office at (708)-788-6670. "5000 Days" contains 12 songs recorded during that last show along with a bonus cut. But the album easily could have ended up as a two- or three-CD set. "I could have released so much good stuff that happened. The show worked really wonderfully. I decided to condense it down to one CD and make it more accessible. It captures the memory of the night for the guys in the band and the fans who were there," Covert said. Strong songwriting and energetic shows marked the 13-year career of The Bad Examples.

The band scored a nationwide hit with the song "Not Dead Yet," and Styx re-recorded the song for its "Edge of the Century" album. That energy is prominently featured on "5000 Days." "It is a musical snapshot of what a Bad Examples show meant for us and the fans," Covert said.

Covert decided to break up the band to pursue other musical opportunities. For about the last year, Covert has been on a nationwide tour, playing songs from his first children's CD, "Ralph's World." The CD was named best children's album of 2001 by both Billboard and Parents magazine. But Covert is excited about the prospect of being back on stage with his old bandmates. "It is going to be a blast. I love these guys so much. All of us have shared so many amazing nights together," Covert said.