Bright, colorful, vibrant… those are some of the first things that come to mind when you think of flamingos. But they are also steady, firm, and well-balanced; which is exactly the combo you get with the Killer Flamingos.
After nearly 30 years of performing, the Killer Flamingos have established themselves as one of the premiere bands in the Midwest. Their reputation for excellence and professionalism precedes them, whether the Flamingos are playing a corporate event for Allstate Insurance in Chicago, keeping the dance floor hopping at an upscale wedding in Detroit or entertaining throngs of people at an annual festival like Arts, Beats and Eats.
It is a standard carefully crafted by five talented musicians. The Killer Flamingos consist of Todd Best, Darren Drake, David Gondoly, Alyssa Simmons and, Jeff Supina. Darren Drake (keyboards) has been there since the start and remains the only member of the original band still playing with the group. He has been a musician since youth, starting out on trumpet before braces forced him to gravitate toward a Casio keyboard. By high school Drake had his own band, well-known at talent shows and area venues.
Also products of Wayne State University, Todd Best (lead guitar) and David Gondoly (bass) came to the Killer Flamingos as a package deal. In fact, the jazz-trained Gondoly who wasn’t familiar with the songs didn’t even need to perform during the audition. He earned the job based on the quality playing and recommendation of Best. A 25 year connection, forged as friends and bandmates, is on full display as the pair slay their way through their respective guitar parts. In 2021 the band welcomed friend and powerhouse vocalist Alyssa Simmons to the band. She is a Detroit-based vocalist as well as a high-energy live performer. Alyssa's voice can be heard on two Ted Nugent albums and she has opened for National acts with her original music. Alyssa has returned from a 6 year music career in Austin, Texas to reunite with the band for the next era of the Killer Flamingos.
Unexpectedly in 2023, Killer Flamingos lost the heart beat of the band, their drummer and beloved brother, Tim Webber. An infectious energy that spent 16 years drumming for Killer Flamingo audiences. It is with great certainty Tim would want nothing more than for the band to forge on, and the band continues to carry his showmanship and energy with them today. The latest member of the family is the vivaciously talented, Jeff Supina. A wild man in his own right raised on only the finest collection of classics. Jeff developed skills of intricate rhythm and delicate melody at an early age. You may have seen him perform with such acts as the Weakend and Glossies, and we’re so happy to have such a large personality and talent back behind the kit.
The thread that binds this musical family together is strong and they pride themselves on actually playing and singing – four of the five contribute on vocals, giving the Flamingos a broader base of music to choose from. Their song selections ensure the audience has fun but lets the band mix things up without getting bored by the same old set list.
This is no weekend bar band, the Killer Flamingos are made up of seasoned professionals and their dedication is evident at every show. They cover Top 40 across the decades, from the 80’s to current hits, with some Motown and other familiar favorites sprinkled in. Their considerable versatility, combined with off-the-chart levels of crowd interaction has kept the Flamingos at the top of fan voted lists like Hour Detroit Magazine’s “Best Band” and WDIV’s Click On Detroit’s “Best Local Band” for numerous years since 2008. They recently received the Metro Times "Best Cover Band” distinction and Hour Detroit's "Best of Detroit" mention. There aren’t a lot of jobs out there where one can get applauded every 3-4 minutes, but there aren’t a lot of bands out there who leave it all on the stage like the Killer Flamingos."
