Jim’s fascination of music, and specifically the guitar started at a very early age. “One of my earliest musical memories was building a makeshift guitar out of rubber bands and a cigar box,” explained Siwek. “I couldn’t have been any older than six. My parents eventually took notice of my attraction to the instrument and signed me up for guitar lessons for my eighth birthday.”

Jim continued his dedication throughout his teens, but did not play in a band until he was a junior in college when he met drummer and current Virgin recording artist Dennis Wolfe (The Exies). Jim joined Wolfe and singer Damian Shiner (Shiner Jones) in The Generics, performing at many local establishments and parties.

Playing with the Generics provided fertile ground for future musical projects. After graduation, Siwek co-founded alternative rock act Add Nine with fellow Generics members David Geist and Aras Ulenas. It was at this time that Siwek was reunited with vocalist and gradeschool acquaintance Michelle Schrag. Michelle’s vocal ability and style took Add Nine to new heights on the Chicago music scene, where they played over 100 shows over 3 years at venues such as the Elbo Room, Cubby Bear, Otis’ and Martyr’s.

In 1998, Siwek and Schrag left Add Nine to pursue collaboration of their own material. Over the next two years, over 20 songs were written and nurtured, and OUTERDRIVE was born.

In late 2000, Siwek met producer Joe Ross (Adrianne, Boston Pops featured artist Robin McKelle) through a random eBay transaction. “I was buying some gear for a friend of mine, and Joe happened to be working in Chicago at the time,” Siwek remembered. “So instead of paying for shipping, I arranged to pick up the item in person, and as an afterthought, dropped off a demo that Michelle and I had done.”

Ross liked what he heard, and the three soon began working on OUTERDRIVE’s debut album “Sundays at One”. Originally written for acoustic instrumentation, it quickly became apparent that the songs Siwek and Schrag had written were meant to be arranged for a full rock band. So that’s what they did.

Siwek and Schrag kicked it up a notch and put together a full out rock band that highlights the emotion of “Sundays at One” while adding the raw engery of their live show.