Voyage(The History)
During the late 50’s and early 60’s Wayne Pacheco and George Oliveira were growing up in Dartmouth, MA. They actually became friends in grammar school at the 5th grade level. They also grew up in near by neighborhoods.
Moving into the 60’s they were both inspired by music of the Beatles and other groups, Wayne being a little older than George starting playing guitar and got into a band “The Majestics”. They were playing at Battle of the Bands (which was popular back in the day) as well as other performances. George also was toying with forming a band but never played at any events. Wayne would be in touch with George and it would be a treat when Wayne would come by and sit in with him. Wayne had better equipment which he would bring for them to use.
They lost contact with each other as Wayne did a tour of duty in the Army and served in Korea. Unaware of Wayne’s service duty, George went on and was part of a band with other friends, Roy Vieira and Dave Travers who later became members of “Voyage”.
Roy and Dave In Voyage.
Before Voyage they formed a band called, “The Summer Sounds”. George decided to leave that band and stopped his musical pursuit and got married at a very early age. “The Summer Sounds” became very successful and went on to cut an Album. George was very depressed from the choice he had made.
When his marriage started to fail, George was looking for away to once again pursue music. While serving in the Army Reserves in the early 70’s, low and behold he ran into an old friend he hadn’t seen in years, Wayne! George immediately started talking to Wayne of the possibility of starting a band. He wanted to start an Oldies Band inspired by another local group, “The Graduates”. As they sat and spoke about forming a band at meetings with the Army Reserves, a new friend Bobby Valentine, who they met in the Reserves said he was a guitar player. It seems that Bobby had been playing with a few R & B Bands. After conversations, Wayne told us he had a drummer, his cousin who had been playing with him, Steve DeMello. George also knew of a Bass player Bruce Kennedy who was playing with a group called “Heritage”. In early 1974 “Voyage” was born.
Voyage went on to play their 1st gig at Ernie’s Lounge, a small local lounge which featured Go-Go Dancers on each side of the stage. They continued and started getting multiple bookings and it was the start of them playing 6 to 7 nights per week. Not only were they playing but held day jobs which created a grueling schedule for them.
They auditioned at King of the Road, a Country and Western night club. Because Voyage was doing oldies the club decided to give them a shot and allowed them to play at the club. King of the Road booked it’s bands a week at a time, from Tuesday through Sunday evenings. So Voyage became the first non Country band to play on their stage. The first time in, the band held off on their Oldies show until Thursday evening. That Thursday when they came out dressed like the 50’s and early 60’s, which became known as their “Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival Show” the audience was in awe and the show became an instance success. 
Voyage was then billed as a “Show and Dance Band” and went on to play at the King of the Road for years to come. The King of the Road would also feature Jamborees on Sunday’s from time to time, usually consisting of 5 different Country and Western Bands. Voyage was invited to play at a Jamboree. When Voyage came out for their performance at the Jamboree, the response from the crowd was exceptional. The dance floor filled to capacity and people were actually dancing in the aisles. “Voyage” became a popular group at the club. On Friday and Saturday evenings, they would have to stop people at the door because the club was at capacity. It was common to have as many as 25 people or more waiting in line for an opportunity for them to come in.
On stage at
"The King of the Road"
During this time “Voyage” decided they would need a promotional tape for their pursuit to play at other clubs in Southeastern New England. They made a promotional recording at Metcalf Studios in New Bedford. To their surprise when they got there, they were told they would have to play the music first, then come back to add the vocals. This wasn’t expected by them. However, they tried it and were successful on the very first take. To add to their promotion they decide that they would need pictures of the band for their promotional package. They did pictures of them dressed alike and pictures of their dress for their Oldies Show.
In the studio
At night club gigs, Voyage would play the first 3 sets of every evening doing cover music of popular songs of the era. The last set was dedicated to their Oldies Show, which was successful because the audience would always stay to the end to see the show.
Voyage
The Oldies Look
“Voyage” continued their grueling schedule for a few years when Bruce announced he was leaving the band because of health and his soon to be wedding, but after a few short weeks decided he was still going to continue.
It was then that Steve (our drummer) could no longer play due to back problems as he was playing in pain. Bruce then asked Mark Silveira (our current drummer) if he was interested. Mark accepted the job. Unfortunately it was only a matter of weeks that Bruce again decided to call it quits. With Voyage now looking for a Bass player to replace Bruce an opportunity came along with Roy Vieira and Dave Travers who were still playing together but would only play if they could both join the band. When Mark heard the news, being the gentleman that he is, he decided that he would step down to allow Roy and Dave to come aboard.
The band continued to play for a number of years and continued with the billing as a Show and Dance Band. Keeping with the grueling schedule they had created and being with each other for so many years, conflicts developed within the band. The band then decided that it was over. (Wayne and Bobby), (George, Dave and Roy) went in different directions. It was during that short period of time that a tearful Roy had made a decision to quit playing drums due to marital problems. It wasn’t long before the remaining 4 started to talk and once again and decided that Voyage must reunite. After issues were resolved it was decided that monthly meetings would be in place so this would never happen again.
Again, Voyage continued their quest as being a Show and Dance Band with their Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival Show. When getting back together Wayne and Bobby wanted George Faria as a drummer for the band, but after a very short period of time, George was asked to step down because he was from out of town and was having a problem making rehearsals.
It was then that Paul Branchaud who was drumming with George and Dave during the short breakup joined the band and Voyage continued bigger and better than ever.
The band continued to grow musically with bigger and better equipment, adding the best equipment at the time along with bigger and better lighting. It was then that Voyage decided it was time to expand even more and had to hire a sound and light man. Voyage hired a friend of Paul, David Varao (R.I.P.). David became an essential part of the band and his dedication to the band was sincere. Voyage became the first band in the area with a sound and light man. Very unfamiliar to clubs we were playing at and some were questioning the necessity behind it. There were only the very few night clubs which featured strictly rock ‘n’ roll bands that may have used a sound or light man. When the clubs saw the results of it they were impressed with what they saw.
Voyage also was expanding there promotional efforts by starting a mailing list. (Remember, these were the days before email.) Voyage gathered more than 300 people on their mailing list. We had to hire someone to make up fliers of news of the band along with a schedule of our play dates on a monthly basis and we also had to pay someone to prepare and stuff envelopes. This worked well, not only for our fans to know where we were playing but for others to find out how to hire us for different occasions. We were not only playing night clubs but we were also playing for private occasions, Sock Hops, Weddings, Anniversaries, Political Functions, etc. There were times when Voyage would play a Saturday afternoon wedding then pack up and head to a commitment at a night club.
During this time while playing at a private function, Voyage was approached and asked to play at The Whaling City Festival. We accepted and became the first band to ever be paid at the Festival. The success there was terrific. The crowds of people drawn to our stage was incredible and certainly a lift to the band at that time. We were asked to come back the next year. 
We accepted and again the band had an incredible amount of people coming to our stages. So much so that the on the Sunday evening of our last show of the event, the size of the crowd grew so large that they were blocking the vendors from leaving. The Festival committee then changed the hours for the entertainment from 7 PM to 9PM to 6 PM to 8 PM. Voyage was invited and played at the Festival for next 7 to 8 years.
Voyage was a very busy band, playing at different night clubs and private functions. At one point the band was actually booked as much as 2 years in advance for private functions. It was during that time that Paul who had become engaged told us he was leaving the band.
Along came Brad (R.I.P.) Brad who was a polished drummer and musician lived across the street from George and welcomed the opportunity to become a member of Voyage. The band once again had to redo our pictures, etc. One of the pictures taken at that time probably became our best, most memorable and popular Oldies picture ever.
This picture that was taken in front Davols Store in Dartmouth. The scene was the best because it made it look as if we were actually in the 50’s with the old gas pump, etc. in the background. Voyage was on the move again.
Then suddenly, Wayne announced he was leaving the band because of his commitment to his wife (at the time) and family. He was also looking to fulfill his commitment to the Armed Services, looking forward to his future and retirementment.
The band understood and decided to move forward and found Jose Almeida, (Smokin’Joe) who played Keyboards and Sax. Voyage was fortunate enough to not skip a beat and moved on. Things were again changing for Voyage.
It wasn't long after, continuing with the Oldies Show, it was decided that we would stop the show and become a dance band but we would continue with the Oldies during our regular sets. The band still remained extremely busy with the night club scene.
Another, making a move was David Varao. He decided to make a move to Florida during the winter months.
On to the scene came Freddie Alponso aka Freaky Freddie, (R.I.P.). Again, Voyage was changing but on the move. Voyage decided to hire a road crew. It was possibly one of the best decisions ever made. It relieved us from having to be so hectic after leaving our day jobs and then have to start running around to go and set up the equipment to be ready for the show. We weren’t getting any younger. This decision seemed to be heaven sent.
The band continued for the next several years and held on to it’s popularity. Abruptly, Joe decided to leave the band sending us into tail spin.
Determined to keep moving on we found Ken Montiginy, a keyboard player and good vocalist. Voyage was on the move again. Although we were on the move, it was decided that we wouldn’t pursue as many nights as in the past and started playing an average of 3 nights per week. It wasn’t long after that when Freaky Freddie told us he was leaving the band because he was moving to California.
So, enters Mario Figueiredo who was running the lights for the band and was promoted to our sound tech. The band still remained successful but on a cut back scale.
It was during this era of the band, that Voyage decide to hold it’s very first reunion. It was a nail biting time to see who would show up. The night became successful once again with just about everyone showing up.
It was certainly great to see my old friend Wayne walk through the doors. It felt as if a hole had been filled. After that night the band continued to play successfully but on a much lower activity scale of gigs.
Then the first dreaded news from Florida arrived, our good friend David had a diving accident and was paralyzed from the chest down. The band showing it’s true character and friendship, all got together for David and participated in a fund raiser with a Voyage reunion at Smugglers Den and a cruise on the boat, The Schummancci.
Voyage continued to play for the next couple of years and then Ken decided to call it quits. Again, Voyage wanted to move forward and we found a young guitar player, Scott. Bobby moved over from guitar to keyboards.
Voyage then started to take a different direction in it’s music. The Oldies were being put aside and Voyage started to take on a new look as a strictly Rock ‘n’ Roll band. George, in a very tuff decision, decided he would leave the band. The band then agreed to allow him to play his last time at the Whaling City Festival.
At that time the final and only remaining member of the original Voyage, Bobby announced that because he was the only one left that the name Voyage would stop there. (1974 – 1988)The band then became known as Aftermath!
But not knowingly, it was far from the end of Voyage.
Since then this group of guys continued to be friends and still come together for reunions and other functions.
When the band was informed that Roy had become ill and was having financial difficulties, these guys rallied together and had a reunion fund raiser for him. Then again, when it was learned that Wayne’s daughter, Jennifer and her family was seriously injured in a tragic fire during the holidays, we responded with another fund raiser to help her.
Voyage didn’t quit there, Brad who had moved to Florida was coming up to New England. After making phone calls, the group came together again for a reunion.
Again for New Years Eve in the mid 90’s Voyage actually reunited for a New Years Eve Party at the Sixth Bristol Club. The Band also invited Lenny, formerly of The Graduates, to sit in with them. We have had a few different reunions since then.
An attempt to start Voyage again 4 or 5 years ago failed.
Recently in September 17, 2010, Bruce our original Bass player who had also moved to Florida was planning a visit to the city. He called and asked if we could put together another reunion. We were able to get some of the guys together and after 2 practices, Voyage returned to the stage with a successful performance at the Washington Club. We were amazed with the amount of people that showed up, only by word of mouth and like riding a bike, the band put on a great performance doing the Oldies that we were known for. A special moment that night was when the original 5 members were once again reunited on stage. Of the many different reunions, it was the first time that this had happened since Steve left the band!
On a sad note, there was emptiness in our hearts for the guys who had passed. Although all loved and missed, the most recent passing of the 1st band member to pass, 
Brad, hung heavy in my heart.
With Bruce gone back to Florida, Voyage was asked to do a Dinner Buffet and Dance at the Sixth Bristol Club. The response was over whelming as we played to a sold out crowd. At the end of our performance, people stood on the dance floor and chanted “we want you back” “we want you back”. Needless to say, with that response the band was certainly thankful to all who still remembered us after being away for so many years.
Ironically, the band recruited Larry Ferreira who filled in for Bruce and is now our current Bass player, formerly the lead guitar player from The Graduates, the very group that inspired Voyage to do the Oldies. We've also recruited Allen Duarte, Wayne’s cousin to sing with us for this gig and the past gig in September. He is now also a member of Voyage.
We are now together again and played another weekend in March at the Sixth Bristol Club and the response as been nothing but outstanding. To find further information on today’s Voyage, please click on Voyage Today.
