Estradasphere
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| Background information | ||
| Origin |  Santa Cruz, California, United States |
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| Genre(s) | World Fusion Avantgarde |
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| Years active | 1998–present | |
| Label(s) | The End Records Mimicry Records |
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| Associated acts |
Secret Chiefs 3 God of Shamisen Fishtank Ensemble |
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| Website | Official website | |
| Members | ||
| Jason Schimmel Tim Smolens Timb Harris Kevin Kmetz Adam Stacey Lee Smith |
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| Former members | ||
| David Murray John Whooley |
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Estradasphere is an experimental band that originated in Santa Cruz, California during the late 1990s. Constructed around core members Tim Smolens (bassist), Timb Harris (violinist) and Jason Schimmel (guitarist), they are popular throughout the United States and have performed almost 300 shows at 156 venues.[citation needed]
Estradasphere are best known for their eclectic musical styling. They frequently draw inspiration from genres such as jazz, funk, techno, classical, pop, metal, New Age, Latin, Balkan, Greek and gypsy stylings. They are influenced by artists such as The Beach Boys and Secret Chiefs 3; and are often compared to the band Mr. Bungle.[citation needed] Like Mr. Bungle and Secret Chiefs 3 they like to hecticly mix different genres into their songs. They also regularly play themes from television programs and video games such as Super Mario Bros (an example [1]).
As of 2006, Estradasphere have released five full length albums (including a split live CD/DVD), an EP, and a VHS that compiles early footage of live shows. The VHS product has since been re-released on DVD with extra footage.
Estradasphere have received some critical success with the album Buck Fever, but they have yet to gain any substantial commercial success. It is apparent that the members of the band are content with this, however, and consider being less popular in the music world creates a more personal experience with their fans.[citation needed] Certain fans of Estradasphere have been known to show their appreciation for the band in eccentric ways, such as a fan who calls himself "Sheepman" and dresses up as a sheep when appearing at Estradasphere shows.
Estradasphere usually perform shows in California, where they are based, but they occasionally go on tour to areas all across the United States and sometimes southern parts of Canada. Their booking agent, Poco Marshall, booked many of their first shows at Palookaville in Santa Cruz.
Currently, Estradasphere has just released a new LP called Palace of Mirrors through The End Records on September 19, 2006. A North America tour is underway to accompany the release of the album.
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[edit] Band history
Guitarist Jason Schimmel and bassist Tim Smolens met in 7th grade at Miraleste High School. In 1997, their band Don Salsa recorded its first album, Koolaid Moustache In Jonestown. In 1998, Jason and Tim moved to Santa Cruz, California. Jason attended UC Santa Cruz, along with Timb Harris, John Whooley, and Dave Murray. At that time, John, Tim, Jason, Dave, and Jason Conception played downtown in the streets of Santa Cruz. Jason Conception left the band to pursue Netwerk:Electric, his other project. In December 1998, Timb Harris joined the band. The band continued to play the streets and at local coffee shops.
On January 7, 2000, Estradasphere held its first concert at Kuumbwa Jazz Center. This was a pivotal show for the band, and they began to play clubs exclusively. Poco Marshall booked many more shows at the legendary Palookaville, as he was the venue talent buyer at the time. Later that year, they released their first album It's Understood on Trey Spruance's label, Mimicry Records. They went on their first North American tour, opening for Secret Chiefs 3.
In 2001, Estradasphere released their first EP, The Silent Elk Of Yesterday, which included a few new studio tracks, and some live performances. They also went on their second North American tour with the band Tub Ring.
The band released their second full length album, Buck Fever in Spring of 2002. Later that year, drummer Dave Murray decided to quit the band.
In 2003, they released their third full length album Quadropus. Because they did not have a full time drummer, several guest drummers appeared on this album, including Dave Murray. In Spring of 2004, they released a DVD of live footage called Passion for Life. It contained a full length DVD as well as a CD that included some live tracks and other material.
In early 2004, John Whooley left Estradasphere due to both his parents and grandparents passing away within the same year. Kevin Kmetz and Adam Stacey joined the band to replace him. They played their first show together as a new band with guest drummer Theo Mordey at 2004's SXSW Festival. After a few months of recruitment for a new drummer, Lee Smith moved from Atlanta to join Estradasphere as their permanent drummer.
[edit] Band members
[edit] Current members
- Jason Schimmel - guitar, banjo
- Tim Smolens - bass guitar, double bass
- Timb Harris - violin, trumpet
- Kevin Kmetz - shamisen, guitar
- Adam Stacey - accordion, keyboards
- Lee Smith - drums
[edit] Former members
- David Murray - drums
- John Whooley - saxophone
[edit] Discography
| Album Cover | Title | Release Date | Label |
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It's Understood (LP) | June 26, 2000 | Mimicry |
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These Are The Days (VHS) | 2000 | |
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The Silent Elk of Yesterday (EP) | September 18, 2001 | Mimicry |
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Buck Fever (LP) | 2001 | Mimicry |
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Quadropus (LP) | October 28, 2003 | Mimicry |
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Passion for Life (LP/DVD) | March 9, 2004 | Mimicry |
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These Are The Days (DVD Reissue) | October 3, 2005 | |
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Palace of Mirrors (LP) | September 19, 2006 | The End |
[edit] List of songs
- See List of Estradasphere songs (incomplete).
- See also Estradasphere Show Archive.
[edit] Related bands/side projects
- Don Salsa - Tim Smolens and Jason Schimmel perform with others. Experimental group. Official Website
- Fishtank Ensemble - Tim Smolens, Kevin Kmetz and Adam Stacey perform with Doug (of Don Salsa), Aaron Seeman (who has recorded accordion for Estradasphere and Mr. Bungle). Also features Fabrice on fiddle and Ursula. Gypsy music. Official Website
- God of Shamisen - Kevin Kmetz and Lee Smith perform along with Dave McCoy and Mark Thornton. Shamisen rock. Official Website
- I.S.S. (Ideal Social Situation) - Tim Smolens performs with George the Reader, Joey Ryken (MonoMan), Joel Rainbow and Jesse Houts (MC Wheels). Pop. Official Website
- Netwerk: Electric - Former bandmate Jason Conception (1998) performs with others. Jazz.
- Santa Cruz Hemp Allstars - John Whooley performs with members of Sound Tribe Sector 9, Netwerk: Electric and Disco Biscuits. Official Website.
- Santa Cruz White Album Ensemble - Jason Schimmel (and occasionally Timb Harris) perform with others. They perform Beatles albums such as the White Album, Rubber Revolver and Sgt. Pepper's Mystery Tour in full concerts. Official Website
- Secret Chiefs 3 - Timb Harris, Adam Stacey and Kevin Kmetz perform with Trey Spruance and others. Jason Schimmel, John Whooley, and Tim Smolens also make appearances. Official Website
[edit] Trivia
- The band named itself as a tribute to actor Erik Estrada who is most recognized from the television series "CHiPs".[citation needed]
- The majority of their songs consist of instrumentals, each ranging in variation from death metal, 1960's pop, jazz, soundtracks, video games & world music.
- The band has a secret language of acronyms.[citation needed]
[edit] External links
- Estradasphere - official Estradasphere website.
- The End Records - website of Estradasphere's current record label.
- Web of Mimicry - website for Estradasphere's former record label.
- Interview From October 4, 2006
