Sombrance

Sombrance is a rock band from St. Louis, Missouri, that was founded by Rick Mester in 1998. While Rick has written the majority of the Sombrance songs, the band has included a number of different musicians over the years. The band's sound is dark pop/rock influenced by Pink Floyd, the Violet Burning, and Starflyer 59.

Band biography

[1] Rick Mester had left his first band, Grievance Honor[2] (a metal band), to pursue a more melancholy, dark-sounding music. Initially, the new band name was to be Black Sombrance and the sound was to be gothic but the band felt that the gothic genre was too limiting. Rick dropped "Black" from the name and went with the simplified name Sombrance. The original Sombrance lineup featured former Grievance Honor bandmates Dan Needham (keyboards) and Lael Clark (Guitars) along with Jon Cheatwood (bass) and Rick Mester (vocals, guitars).[3]

In 1998, Rick recorded the demo EP CD called The Cold Awakening on a Tascam 488 eight-track recorder. The Cold Awakening featured several of Rick's friends, including Wade Baird (Since Hector Was a Pup, Saturn Vs. Jupiter), Lael Clark (Deliverance, Harkonin), Jason Sarino (A Group Called), and Jon Cheatwood.[4]

In 2000, Rick signed with Indie Dream Records. Indie Dream had recently also signed legendary Christian metal band, Deliverance. Deliverance front man, Jimmy P. Brown II would mix and help produce Sombrance’s full-length CD, Dark Days and Afternoon Sleep. The record was completed using session musicians from Indie Dream records including Justin DeTie (Jambi’s Revenge, Sanctified Sister), Jim Calvert (Jambi’s Revenge, Sanctified Sister) and Chuck Cummings (Sanctified Sister).[5]

After completion of Dark Days..., Rick assembled a band to support the record. Wade Baird (guitar), Todd Hurt (drums), and Rob Williams (bass) began playing shows in anticipation of the release of Dark Days.... Unfortunately, disputes with management and Indie Dream resulted in the album being shelved. Following legal action, Sombrance was granted a release from their contract with Indie Dream. The album was never released after the dispute as the terms of the settlement required Indie Dream to seek permission of Rick to use the band’s name in any marketing.[6]

Over time, the band began to ebb and flow with the individual influences of band members and a sound began to emerge. Wade Baird took over the responsibilities of directing personnel. Wade made his first move by replacing Rob Williams with David Jay. It was this lineup that went into the studio in 2003 to record the Eli EP. Jimmy P Brown II mixed the EP, played bass, and sang background vocals on “Eli”.[7][8]

David Jay was replaced by Jensen Church. Todd Hurt moved to Texas and was replaced with Miq Smith (Since Hector Was a Pup) for a brief time then Bob Stahlheber (Sanctified Sister, Since Hector Was a Pup).[9]

During this time, Rick and Wade formed their own record label and publishing group called Zophim Records. Zophim Records was the vehicle that the band members would release their band and side projects through.[10]

Wade Baird left Sombrance and Zophim Records in 2005 to pursue his solo project. Rick called former bass player Rob Williams who came back on board, this time as a guitarist. Also, in 2005, Sombrance signed with PsychoAcoustix Records out of Florida. The band recorded two Christmas songs for a future dark Christmas compilation ("What Child is This", "We Three Kings"). Sombrance prepared material for a new album, but tragedy struck when Carl Crandell (founder and owner of PsychoAcoustix) was found dead in his study. The label passed with him. The band would suffer more personnel changes over the next few years. Rick and Rob took time to work on side projects.[11]

In 2009, the band finally solidified its lineup with the additions of Thomas Kinder (bass) and Kevin Reese (drums). Thomas and Kevin also play for the band Floodwater.[12][13]

In 2010, Sombrance re-released the Eli CD with three new tracks and a special remix of "Wasting Away", calling the album Eli 2010.[14]

In 2011 Sombrance is working on songs for their next CD, to be called Through Waterless Places.[15] and resumed playing live shows.[16] Near the end of 2011, the band introduced Mike Kushins as the new piano/keyboard player via their official Facebook page.[17]

Rick Mester has released several side projects including three Ishur Ninku CD’s (Self-Titled, Shiva, and Contemplation: A Collection), three Unicks Face CD’s (Fake Blood, Biological Messaging System, and Stupid Humans), a solo record (Wallpaper Sky), and a spoof metal band called Cauldron of Puke (Kentucky Fried Cat)[18]

Rob Williams released one side project called Soul Rodeo (So the Journey Begins...)[19]

Discography[20]

Album Title Year Personnel
The Cold Awakening[21] 1998 Rick Mester - Guitars, Vocals
Wade Baird - Guitars
Jon Cheatwood - Bass
Jason Sarino - Drums
Lael Clark - Guitars
Dark Days and Afternoon Sleep[22] 2001/2011 Rick Mester - Vocals, Guitars, Programming, Keyboards
Justin DeTie - Guitars, Keyboards
Jim Calvert - Drums, Vocals
Chuck Cummings - Bass
Jimmy P Brown II - Bass
Caprice Cummings - Vocals
Eli[23] 2003 Rick Mester - Vocals
Wade Baird - Guitars
Todd Hurt - Drums
Jimmy P Brown II - Bass, Vocals
Eli 2010[24] 2010 Rick Mester - Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Programming
Wade Baird - Guitars
Todd Hurt - Drums
Jimmy P Brown II - Bass, Vocals
Rob Williams - Guitars, Bass

Members[25]

Current Members:
Rick Mester – Guitars, Vocals
Rob Williams – Guitars
Thomas Kinder – Bass, Vocals
Kevin Reese – Drums
Mike Kushins - Keyboards, Piano

Former Members:
Jon Cheatwood – Bass
Dan Needham – Keyboards
Lael Clark - Guitars
Wade Baird – Guitars
Todd Hurt – Drums
David Jay – Bass
Jensen Church – Bass
Miq Smith – Drums
Bob Stahlheber – Drums
Adam Thacker – Drums
Eric Wellington – Drums

References

  1. ↑ http://www.sombrance.com/bios/
  2. ↑ http://www.sombrance.com/gh/index2.html
  3. ↑ http://www.sombrance.com/bios
  4. ↑ http://www.sombrance.com/bios
  5. ↑ http://www.sombrance.com/bios
  6. ↑ http://www.sombrance.com/bios
  7. ↑ http://www.sombrance.com/bios
  8. ↑ http://www.nolifetilmetal.com/sombrance.htm
  9. ↑ http://www.sombrance.com/bios
  10. ↑ http://www.zophimrecords.com
  11. ↑ http://www.sombrance.com/bios
  12. ↑ http://www.myspace.com/floodwatermusic
  13. ↑ http://www.sombrance.com/bios
  14. ↑ http://www.sombrance.com/discs
  15. ↑ http://www.sombrance.com/bios
  16. ↑ http://www.sombrance.com
  17. ↑ http://www.facebook.com/sombrance
  18. ↑ http://www.zophimrecords.com
  19. ↑ http://soulrodeo.bandcamp.com
  20. ↑ http://www.sombrance.com/discs/
  21. ↑ http://www.sombrance.com/discs
  22. ↑ http://www.sombrance.com/discs/
  23. ↑ http://www.sombrance.com/discs/
  24. ↑ http://www.sombrance.com/discs/
  25. ↑ http://www.sombrance.com/bios/
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