Estradasphere
Encyclopedia
Estradasphere was an experimental
band that originated in Santa Cruz, California
during the late 1990s. The band, which in its last incarnation was based in Seattle, consisted of 6 multi-instrumentalists from a variety of musical backgrounds trained in disciplines ranging from classical music
and jazz
to heavy metal
.
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 David Murray
. At that time, John, Tim, Jason, Dave and friend, Jason Concepcion played downtown among the street performers of Santa Cruz. Jason Concepcion left the band to focus on his other project Netwerk:Electric. 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 the Kuumbwa Jazz Center. This was a pivotal show for the group, and the band began to play clubs exclusively. Estradasphere's popularity in Santa Cruz birthed a circus environment where audience members began actively participating in the shows and fans were encouraged to wear costumes. Frequent sideshow acts included juggler and balloon maker David Poznanter, book reader George Smith III, fire-dancers Isaac Rappaport
and Jessica Bottomley of Phoenix Rising, so-called "death metal cheerleaders" wearing corpse paint
, a "satanic swordsman" Erin Wood, stilt-walkers and more. Perhaps most notable of the sideshow performers was someone with the stage name "Mono-Man" who wore a cape, painted his bare chest with a large M, and proceeded to attempt to kiss people in the audience while pretending to have the disease of the same name (mono
). He can be heard ranting on the last moments of the band's first album, It's Understood
. Poco Marshall booked many more shows at the legendary Palookaville
, as he was the venue talent buyer at the time. Later that year, the band released its first album, It's Understood
, on Trey Spruance
's label Mimicry Records
. The band went on its first North America
n tour, opening for Secret Chiefs 3
.
In 2001, Estradasphere released The Silent Elk of Yesterday
, which included new studio tracks and live performances. The band went on its second North American tour with the band Tub Ring
, and released its second album, Buck Fever
, in the spring of 2002. Later that year, drummer Dave Murray left the band. In 2003, the band released its third album Quadropus
. Because the band did not have a full-time drummer, several guest drummers appeared on the album, including Dave Murray and John Merriman of Cephalic Carnage
. In the spring of 2004, the band released a DVD of live concert footage titled, Passion for Life
. It contained a full-length DVD as well as a CD that included live and recorded material. The cover featured an oil painting by Santa Cruz artist Michael Joseph Welsh, entitled Humans as seen by God last week through a Tootsiescope. In 2004, founding member and saxophonist John Whooley left the band. Tsugaru Shamisen player Kevin Kmetz
and keyboardist Adam Stacey
joined Estradasphere to replace him. They played their first show together as a new band with guest drummer Theo Mordey at the 2004 SXSW Festival. Later that year, Lee Smith moved from Atlanta, Georgia
to join Estradasphere as the band's permanent drummer. In 2005, Estradasphere released These Are the Days
, a documentary of the band's first national tour. This DVD highlighted the original line-up and circus side-shows, marking the end of an era and ushering in the present age of Estradasphere. In 2006, the band signed to New York label The End Records
and released their most conceptually grounded album to date, Palace of Mirrors
, an instrumental song-cycle with a psychedelic narrative structure. In 2007 Estradasphere signed with Silverleaf Booking Agency, who booked them on a Northwest US tour with The End Records label mates Stolen Babies, and completed a full US tour that April.
In November 2007, members of Estradasphere started touring with Amanda Palmer
of The Dresden Dolls
, as well as helping to produce her debut solo album Who Killed Amanda Palmer
.
The band is on a "permanent hiatus" since 2010.
, funk
, techno
, classical music
, pop
, heavy metal
, New Age
, Latin
, Balkan
, Greek
and gypsy
. They were influenced by artists such as The Beach Boys
and Secret Chiefs 3
, and have been compared to Mr. Bungle
, Frank Zappa
and John Zorn
. Similarly to Mr. Bungle and Secret Chiefs 3, the band mixes several genres in its songs. The band was a self-proclaimed inventor of bizarre genres such as "Bulgarian Surf", "Romanian Gypsy-Metal", and "Spaghetti Eastern" and sounded like "Psychedelic-Sci-fi", "Gypsy-Metal-Jazz" and "Epic-Cinema-Thon", according to its MySpace
.
to television show theme songs such as Beverly Hills, 90210
, Duck Tales, Gummi Bears
, and CHiPs
; since the name of the band was related to CHiPs star Eric Estrada. Estradasphere shows also were known to feature more traditional cover songs from styles as diverse as jazz
, heavy metal
, pop
, and hip hop
.
On tour, the band would often play smaller free shows using primarily acoustic instruments. Venues for such shows could be as obscure as on a public beach or live on the air of college radio stations such as KSDT
, where they can be seen giving an interview to KSDT
DJ Pete Bejarano on their DVD Passion for Life
.
Experimental music
Experimental music refers, in the English-language literature, to a compositional tradition which arose in the mid-20th century, applied particularly in North America to music composed in such a way that its outcome is unforeseeable. Its most famous and influential exponent was John Cage...
band that originated in Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz is the county seat and largest city of Santa Cruz County, California in the US. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, Santa Cruz had a total population of 59,946...
during the late 1990s. The band, which in its last incarnation was based in Seattle, consisted of 6 multi-instrumentalists from a variety of musical backgrounds trained in disciplines ranging from classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
and jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
to heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
.
Band history
Guitarist Jason SchimmelJason Schimmel
Jason Schimmel is best known as the guitarist and co-founder of the eclectic Santa Cruz band Estradasphere. He is also involved with Don Salsa, Secret Chiefs 3 and the Santa Cruz White Album Ensemble. He can also play the banjo and piano. He is well known for his versatile playing style,...
and bassist Tim Smolens
Tim Smolens
Tim Smolens is an American bass player, most notably a contributor to the artistic output of bands such as Estradasphere, Secret Chiefs 3, and Fishtank Ensemble, primarily as a bassist and songwriter...
met in 7th grade at Miraleste High School. In 1997, their band Don Salsa
Don Salsa
Don Salsa is an avant-garde metal band. It is an offshoot project band of the group Estradasphere.Its first album was the 1997 release, Koolaid Moustache in Jonestown. Its tracks range from 53 seconds to more than 31 minutes, and spans several musical genres.-External links:**...
recorded its first album, Koolaid Moustache in Jonestown
Koolaid Moustache in Jonestown
Koolaid Moustache in Jonestown is the 1997 release by avant-garde metal band Don Salsa.- Tracklisting :# The Deck # Rod Stew Art # Raul's Men # They Are Not Allowed To Be Having Sex # Untitled # 12+1...
. In 1998, Jason and Tim moved to Santa Cruz, California. Jason attended UC Santa Cruz, along with Timb Harris, John Whooley
John Whooley
John Whooley, now John Whoolilurie, is a California-based musician best known for playing the saxophone and other instruments with the band Estradasphere...
, and David Murray
David Murray (drummer)
David Murray is a Californian musician, best known for his career as a drummer, although he is also a composer and didjeriduist. He was the original drummer for Estradasphere and both performed and composed on all of the band's albums up until the new 2004 lineup...
. At that time, John, Tim, Jason, Dave and friend, Jason Concepcion played downtown among the street performers of Santa Cruz. Jason Concepcion left the band to focus on his other project Netwerk:Electric. 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 the Kuumbwa Jazz Center. This was a pivotal show for the group, and the band began to play clubs exclusively. Estradasphere's popularity in Santa Cruz birthed a circus environment where audience members began actively participating in the shows and fans were encouraged to wear costumes. Frequent sideshow acts included juggler and balloon maker David Poznanter, book reader George Smith III, fire-dancers Isaac Rappaport
and Jessica Bottomley of Phoenix Rising, so-called "death metal cheerleaders" wearing corpse paint
Corpse paint
Corpse paint or corpsepaint is a style of black-and-white makeup, used mainly by black metal bands during live concerts and photo shoots. The makeup is used to intensify the bands' imagery of evil, inhumanity, and corpse-like decay. It is most commonly used just on the face, but also on arms and...
, a "satanic swordsman" Erin Wood, stilt-walkers and more. Perhaps most notable of the sideshow performers was someone with the stage name "Mono-Man" who wore a cape, painted his bare chest with a large M, and proceeded to attempt to kiss people in the audience while pretending to have the disease of the same name (mono
Infectious mononucleosis
Infectious mononucleosis is an infectious, widespread viral...
). He can be heard ranting on the last moments of the band's first album, It's Understood
It's Understood
It's Understood is Estradasphere's first studio album. It was released on Mimicry Records on June 26, 2000.Notably, the first track on the album, "Hunger Strike", sets the tone of Estradasphere by covering a wide range of musical genres...
. Poco Marshall booked many more shows at the legendary Palookaville
Palookaville
Palookaville may refer to:* Palookaville , a 1995 comedy film* Palookaville , a 2004 electronic album by Fatboy Slim* Palookaville , an alternative comic book* Palookaville, a former concert venue in Santa Cruz, CA....
, as he was the venue talent buyer at the time. Later that year, the band released its first album, It's Understood
It's Understood
It's Understood is Estradasphere's first studio album. It was released on Mimicry Records on June 26, 2000.Notably, the first track on the album, "Hunger Strike", sets the tone of Estradasphere by covering a wide range of musical genres...
, on Trey Spruance
Trey Spruance
Preston Lea Spruance III or "Trey Spruance" is an American composer, producer, and musician, perhaps best known as the leader of the multi-genre outfit Secret Chiefs 3 and for his work as guitarist and keyboardist with Mr. Bungle...
's label Mimicry Records
Mimicry Records
Mimicry Records is an independent record label currently based in San Francisco, California founded by Trey Spruance of Mr. Bungle and Secret Chiefs 3.Bands under Mimicry often feature theological and philosophical themes.-Band lineup:*Secret Chiefs 3...
. The band went on its first North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n tour, opening for Secret Chiefs 3
Secret Chiefs 3
Secret Chiefs 3 is an instrumental rock group led by guitarist/composer Trey Spruance . Their studio recordings and tours have featured different line-ups, as the group performs a wide range of musical styles including surf rock, Persian, Arab, Indian, death metal, film music, electronic music,...
.
In 2001, Estradasphere released The Silent Elk of Yesterday
The Silent Elk of Yesterday
The Silent Elk of Yesterday is an EP by Estradasphere, released in 2001. It mostly consists of live tracks.Despite being nearly 75 minutes long and containing 18 tracks, it is classified as an EP by the band.The EP is "in loving memory of Butt Bud"....
, which included new studio tracks and live performances. The band went on its second North American tour with the band Tub Ring
Tub Ring
-Biography:Tub Ring formed in 1992 as a high school punk band.The band really took form with addition of keyboard player Rob Kleiner, who spent his teenage years following around the band Mr. Bungle. With Kleiner added to the band, Tub Ring adopted the similar sounds of Mr. Bungle. Mr...
, and released its second album, Buck Fever
Buck Fever
Buck Fever was the second full length album released by Estradasphere. Notable assistance on the album comes from Trey Spruance, of Mr. Bungle and Secret Chiefs 3 fame.-Track listing:#"Buck Fever" – 5:45#"The Dapper Bandits" – 8:03...
, in the spring of 2002. Later that year, drummer Dave Murray left the band. In 2003, the band released its third album Quadropus
Quadropus
A Quadropus is a fantasy creature. Quadropi are four tentacled en cephalopods similar to an octopus, but sometimes with magical powers.Quadropus is the third full length album by Estradasphere...
. Because the band did not have a full-time drummer, several guest drummers appeared on the album, including Dave Murray and John Merriman of Cephalic Carnage
Cephalic Carnage
Cephalic Carnage is an American grindcore band formed in 1992 in Denver, Colorado. The band comprises vocalist Lenzig Leal, guitarists Steve Goldberg and Brian Hopp, drummer John Merryman and bassist Nick Schendzielos...
. In the spring of 2004, the band released a DVD of live concert footage titled, Passion for Life
Passion for Life
Passion For Life is a combination DVD / live album by Estradasphere. It was released on March 9, 2004.-DVD:#"Hardball"#"Ah Ya Bibi"#"Buck Fever"#"Nütch"#"Mekapses Yitonisa"#"Danse of Tosho and Slavi / Randy's Desert Adventure"...
. It contained a full-length DVD as well as a CD that included live and recorded material. The cover featured an oil painting by Santa Cruz artist Michael Joseph Welsh, entitled Humans as seen by God last week through a Tootsiescope. In 2004, founding member and saxophonist John Whooley left the band. Tsugaru Shamisen player Kevin Kmetz
Kevin Kmetz
Kevin Kmetz is an American guitarist and shamisen player. He is best known as the front man of the shamisen-based rock band, God of Shamisen. He has also recently become a full member of Santa Cruz, California eclectic band Estradasphere along with fellow God of Shamisen member Lee Smith...
and keyboardist Adam Stacey
Adam Stacey
Adam Stacey is an American musician/composer best known for being in the bands, Estradasphere, and Secret Chiefs 3.Born in Los Angeles, California in 1981, he began playing the accordion at a very early age but eventually became more known as a keyboardist. During high school, he joined many bands...
joined Estradasphere to replace him. They played their first show together as a new band with guest drummer Theo Mordey at the 2004 SXSW Festival. Later that year, Lee Smith moved from Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
to join Estradasphere as the band's permanent drummer. In 2005, Estradasphere released These Are the Days
These Are the Days (Estradasphere)
These Are the Days is a concert video featuring Estradasphere. The original VHS tape features footage from the band's first tour with their original line-up and accompanying circus side-shows...
, a documentary of the band's first national tour. This DVD highlighted the original line-up and circus side-shows, marking the end of an era and ushering in the present age of Estradasphere. In 2006, the band signed to New York label The End Records
The End Records
The End Records is an independent record label, founded in 1998 in San Diego. Founder Andreas Katsambas initially wanted to bring attention to some underground bands he admired. In 2002, The End moved to Salt Lake City, when his wife took a job at the University of Utah. The label moved...
and released their most conceptually grounded album to date, Palace of Mirrors
Palace of Mirrors
Palace of Mirrors is the fifth full-length album by Estradasphere. It was released on September 19, 2006.-Track listing:#"Title" - 0:34#"Palace of Mirrors" - 3:41#"A Corporate Merger" - 8:16#"The Terrible Beautypower of Meow" - 4:01...
, an instrumental song-cycle with a psychedelic narrative structure. In 2007 Estradasphere signed with Silverleaf Booking Agency, who booked them on a Northwest US tour with The End Records label mates Stolen Babies, and completed a full US tour that April.
In November 2007, members of Estradasphere started touring with Amanda Palmer
Amanda Palmer
Amanda MacKinnon Gaiman Palmer , sometimes known as Amanda Fucking Palmer, is an American performer who first rose to prominence as the lead singer, pianist, and lyricist/composer of the duo The Dresden Dolls...
of The Dresden Dolls
The Dresden Dolls
The Dresden Dolls are an American musical duo from Boston, Massachusetts. Formed in 2000, the group consists of Amanda Palmer and Brian Viglione...
, as well as helping to produce her debut solo album Who Killed Amanda Palmer
Who Killed Amanda Palmer
Who Killed Amanda Palmer is the first solo album by American musical artist Amanda Palmer.The album was largely recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, with collaborator Ben Folds and was released on Roadrunner Records...
.
The band is on a "permanent hiatus" since 2010.
Musical style and influences
Estradasphere were influenced by many different artists from many different subgenres, such as jazzJazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
, techno
Techno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid to late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno, in reference to a genre of music, was in 1988...
, classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
, pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
, heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
, New Age
New Age
The New Age movement is a Western spiritual movement that developed in the second half of the 20th century. Its central precepts have been described as "drawing on both Eastern and Western spiritual and metaphysical traditions and then infusing them with influences from self-help and motivational...
, Latin
Latin American music
Latin American music, found within Central and South America, is a series of musical styles and genres that mixes influences from Spanish, African and indigenous sources, that has recently become very famous in the US.-Argentina:...
, Balkan
Music of Southeastern Europe
The music of Southeastern Europe or Balkan music is a type of music distinct from others in Europe. This is mainly because it was influenced by traditional music of Southeastern European ethnic groups and mutual music influences of these ethnic groups in the period of the Ottoman Empire...
, Greek
Music of Greece
The music of Greece is as diverse and celebrated as its history. Greek music separates into two parts: Greek traditional music and Byzantine music, with more eastern sounds...
and gypsy
Roma music
Romani music is the music of the Romani people, who have their origins in Northern India, but today live mostly in Europe....
. They were influenced by artists such as The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
and Secret Chiefs 3
Secret Chiefs 3
Secret Chiefs 3 is an instrumental rock group led by guitarist/composer Trey Spruance . Their studio recordings and tours have featured different line-ups, as the group performs a wide range of musical styles including surf rock, Persian, Arab, Indian, death metal, film music, electronic music,...
, and have been compared to Mr. Bungle
Mr. Bungle
Mr. Bungle was an experimental band from Northern California. The band was formed in 1985 while the members were still in high school and was named after a children's educational film. Mr. Bungle released four demo tapes in the mid to late 1980s before being signed to Warner Bros. Records and...
, Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
and John Zorn
John Zorn
John Zorn is an American avant-garde composer, arranger, record producer, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist. Zorn is a prolific artist: he has hundreds of album credits as performer, composer, or producer...
. Similarly to Mr. Bungle and Secret Chiefs 3, the band mixes several genres in its songs. The band was a self-proclaimed inventor of bizarre genres such as "Bulgarian Surf", "Romanian Gypsy-Metal", and "Spaghetti Eastern" and sounded like "Psychedelic-Sci-fi", "Gypsy-Metal-Jazz" and "Epic-Cinema-Thon", according to its MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
.
Stage Shows
A large part of Estradasphere's early success stemmed not only from their musically technical virtuosity, but their organic stage shows. In addition to the added ambiance of the band's sideshow performers, live sets would consist of frequent 'jams', re-arrangements of original material, and cover songs ranging from video game themes such as Super Mario Brothers, The Legend of Zelda and Contra (arcade game)Contra
Contra is a Latin preposition meaning "against". It is very frequently abbreviated to con, which is a separate preposition. It may refer to:*Contras, Nicaraguan counter-revolutionaries opposed to the Sandinistas...
to television show theme songs such as Beverly Hills, 90210
Beverly Hills, 90210
Beverly Hills, 90210 is an American drama series that originally aired from October 4, 1990 to May 17, 2000 on Fox and was produced by Spelling Television in the United States, and subsequently on various networks around the world. It is the first series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise...
, Duck Tales, Gummi Bears
Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears
Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears is an American animated television series that aired in the United States in the mid-1980s through the early 1990s...
, and CHiPs
CHiPs
CHiPs is an American television drama series produced by MGM Studios that originally aired on NBC from September 15, 1977, to July 17, 1983. CHiPs followed the lives of two motorcycle police officers of the California Highway Patrol...
; since the name of the band was related to CHiPs star Eric Estrada. Estradasphere shows also were known to feature more traditional cover songs from styles as diverse as jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
, pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
, and hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
.
On tour, the band would often play smaller free shows using primarily acoustic instruments. Venues for such shows could be as obscure as on a public beach or live on the air of college radio stations such as KSDT
KSDT Radio
KSDT is an online College radio station which refers to itself as "fiercely independent college radio." Its facilities are located on the campus of UCSD, the University of California San Diego, in La Jolla....
, where they can be seen giving an interview to KSDT
KSDT Radio
KSDT is an online College radio station which refers to itself as "fiercely independent college radio." Its facilities are located on the campus of UCSD, the University of California San Diego, in La Jolla....
DJ Pete Bejarano on their DVD Passion for Life
Passion for Life
Passion For Life is a combination DVD / live album by Estradasphere. It was released on March 9, 2004.-DVD:#"Hardball"#"Ah Ya Bibi"#"Buck Fever"#"Nütch"#"Mekapses Yitonisa"#"Danse of Tosho and Slavi / Randy's Desert Adventure"...
.
Members
According to www.estradasphere.com:- Tim SmolensTim SmolensTim Smolens is an American bass player, most notably a contributor to the artistic output of bands such as Estradasphere, Secret Chiefs 3, and Fishtank Ensemble, primarily as a bassist and songwriter...
- standup bassDouble bassThe double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
, electric bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, audio production/engineeringSound recording and reproductionSound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording... - Timb HarrisTimb HarrisTimb Harris is a violinist, best known for his work with the eclectic Santa Cruz-based band Estradasphere ....
- violinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, trumpetTrumpetThe trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
, mandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Jason SchimmelJason SchimmelJason Schimmel is best known as the guitarist and co-founder of the eclectic Santa Cruz band Estradasphere. He is also involved with Don Salsa, Secret Chiefs 3 and the Santa Cruz White Album Ensemble. He can also play the banjo and piano. He is well known for his versatile playing style,...
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, banjoBanjoIn the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Lee Smith - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Kevin KmetzKevin KmetzKevin Kmetz is an American guitarist and shamisen player. He is best known as the front man of the shamisen-based rock band, God of Shamisen. He has also recently become a full member of Santa Cruz, California eclectic band Estradasphere along with fellow God of Shamisen member Lee Smith...
- tsugaru shamisenTsugaru-jamisenTsugaru-Shamisen is a genre of shamisen music originating in Aomori prefecture in the northernmost area of the Japanese island of Honshū. It is today performed throughout Japan, though associations with the Tsugaru area of Aomori remain strong....
, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments... - Adam StaceyAdam StaceyAdam Stacey is an American musician/composer best known for being in the bands, Estradasphere, and Secret Chiefs 3.Born in Los Angeles, California in 1981, he began playing the accordion at a very early age but eventually became more known as a keyboardist. During high school, he joined many bands...
- accordionAccordionThe accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
Former members
- David MurrayDavid Murray (drummer)David Murray is a Californian musician, best known for his career as a drummer, although he is also a composer and didjeriduist. He was the original drummer for Estradasphere and both performed and composed on all of the band's albums up until the new 2004 lineup...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - John WhooleyJohn WhooleyJohn Whooley, now John Whoolilurie, is a California-based musician best known for playing the saxophone and other instruments with the band Estradasphere...
- saxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
, accordionAccordionThe accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
Discography
| Title | Release Date | Label |
|---|---|---|
| It's Understood It's Understood It's Understood is Estradasphere's first studio album. It was released on Mimicry Records on June 26, 2000.Notably, the first track on the album, "Hunger Strike", sets the tone of Estradasphere by covering a wide range of musical genres... (LP) |
June 26, 2000 | Mimicry |
| These are the Days These Are the Days (Estradasphere) These Are the Days is a concert video featuring Estradasphere. The original VHS tape features footage from the band's first tour with their original line-up and accompanying circus side-shows... (VHS) |
2000 | |
| The Silent Elk of Yesterday The Silent Elk of Yesterday The Silent Elk of Yesterday is an EP by Estradasphere, released in 2001. It mostly consists of live tracks.Despite being nearly 75 minutes long and containing 18 tracks, it is classified as an EP by the band.The EP is "in loving memory of Butt Bud".... (EP) |
September 18, 2001 | Mimicry |
| Buck Fever Buck Fever Buck Fever was the second full length album released by Estradasphere. Notable assistance on the album comes from Trey Spruance, of Mr. Bungle and Secret Chiefs 3 fame.-Track listing:#"Buck Fever" – 5:45#"The Dapper Bandits" – 8:03... (LP) |
2001 | Mimicry |
| Quadropus Quadropus A Quadropus is a fantasy creature. Quadropi are four tentacled en cephalopods similar to an octopus, but sometimes with magical powers.Quadropus is the third full length album by Estradasphere... (LP) |
October 28, 2003 | Mimicry |
| Passion for Life Passion for Life Passion For Life is a combination DVD / live album by Estradasphere. It was released on March 9, 2004.-DVD:#"Hardball"#"Ah Ya Bibi"#"Buck Fever"#"Nütch"#"Mekapses Yitonisa"#"Danse of Tosho and Slavi / Randy's Desert Adventure"... (LP/DVD) |
March 9, 2004 | Mimicry |
| These are the Days These Are the Days (Estradasphere) These Are the Days is a concert video featuring Estradasphere. The original VHS tape features footage from the band's first tour with their original line-up and accompanying circus side-shows... (DVD Reissue) |
October 3, 2005 | |
| Palace of Mirrors Palace of Mirrors Palace of Mirrors is the fifth full-length album by Estradasphere. It was released on September 19, 2006.-Track listing:#"Title" - 0:34#"Palace of Mirrors" - 3:41#"A Corporate Merger" - 8:16#"The Terrible Beautypower of Meow" - 4:01... (LP) |
September 19, 2006 | The End |
| Palace of Mirrors - Live (DVD) | 2007 | The End |
| The Pegasus Vault EP (EP) | February, 2008 | Lobefood |
Related bands/side projects
- Don SalsaDon SalsaDon Salsa is an avant-garde metal band. It is an offshoot project band of the group Estradasphere.Its first album was the 1997 release, Koolaid Moustache in Jonestown. Its tracks range from 53 seconds to more than 31 minutes, and spans several musical genres.-External links:**...
- Tim Smolens and Jason Schimmel perform with others. Experimental group. Official Website - Fishtank EnsembleFishtank EnsembleFishtank Ensemble is a Euro-American musical group that formed in Oakland, California in 2004. They perform a variety of traditional musical styles including klezmer, flamenco, Japanese folk and Roma music....
- 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. - The Deserts of Traun - David MurrayDavid Murray (drummer)David Murray is a Californian musician, best known for his career as a drummer, although he is also a composer and didjeriduist. He was the original drummer for Estradasphere and both performed and composed on all of the band's albums up until the new 2004 lineup...
orchestrates experimental music with significant metal influences. Featuring Jason Schimmel, Lewis Kijowski, Kevin Kmetz, Amir Yagmai, Ben Wendel, Paul McKee, Alfred Weisberg-Roberts, Mike Johnson, and Joe Willis. - Whoolilicious - John WhooleyJohn WhooleyJohn Whooley, now John Whoolilurie, is a California-based musician best known for playing the saxophone and other instruments with the band Estradasphere...
plays all instruments. Multi-genre music heavy on pop and traditional jazz influences. - Odious MortemOdious MortemOdious Mortem is a death metal band from San Francisco, California, USA, currently signed to Willowtip Records.They have released two studio albums, through Unique Leader Records and Willowtip Records, as well as an independently released demo in 2003.-Style:...
- Lee Smith has joined up with Odious Mortem of Santa Cruz recently to record on their new album this fall (2009). Official Website - Orange Tulip Conspiracy - Jason SchimmelJason SchimmelJason Schimmel is best known as the guitarist and co-founder of the eclectic Santa Cruz band Estradasphere. He is also involved with Don Salsa, Secret Chiefs 3 and the Santa Cruz White Album Ensemble. He can also play the banjo and piano. He is well known for his versatile playing style,...
and Lee Smith play in this eclectic band, along with John WhooleyJohn WhooleyJohn Whooley, now John Whoolilurie, is a California-based musician best known for playing the saxophone and other instruments with the band Estradasphere...
, Dan Robbins, and others. - 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 AllstarsSanta Cruz Hemp AllstarsThe Santa Cruz Hemp Allstars are a super-jam group put together by Poco Marshall, featuring members of Sound Tribe Sector 9, Estradasphere, Netwerk:Electric, The Disco Biscuits, The Slip, The Living Daylights, and DJ Logic. The first show was held at Palookaville in Santa Cruz, California on April...
- John Whooley performs with members of Sound Tribe Sector 9Sound Tribe Sector 9Sound Tribe Sector 9 is an instrumental band known for their live performances. The band’s genre-blending sound is based heavily on instrumental rock and electronic music crossed with elements of funk, jazz, drum and bass, psychedelia, and hip hop...
, Netwerk: Electric and Disco BiscuitsDisco BiscuitsThe Disco Biscuits are a band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania known for their live performances and light shows. The band consists of Allen Aucoin , Marc Brownstein , Jon Gutwillig , and Aron Magner ....
. 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 Soul, Revolver and Sgt. Pepper's Mystery Tour in full concerts. Official Website
- Secret Chiefs 3Secret Chiefs 3Secret Chiefs 3 is an instrumental rock group led by guitarist/composer Trey Spruance . Their studio recordings and tours have featured different line-ups, as the group performs a wide range of musical styles including surf rock, Persian, Arab, Indian, death metal, film music, electronic music,...
- Timb Harris, Adam Stacey and Kevin Kmetz perform with Trey Spruance and others. Jason Schimmel, John Whooley, and Tim Smolens also make appearances.
External links
- Estradasphere's official website
- http://www.myspace.com/estradasphereEstradasphere MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
] - The End Records - website of Estradasphere's current record label.
- Web of Mimicry - website for Estradasphere's former record label.
- Obnoxious Listeners: Estradasphere