The Chelsea Smiles
Encyclopedia
The Chelsea Smiles are a hard rock
/sleaze rock band formed in 2004 featuring guitarist Todd Youth
(formerly of D Generation
and Danzig
), Karl Rosqvist
of Danzig
, Steel Prophet
, Skye Vaughan-Jayne of Bullets and Octane
, Johnny Martin
and RJ Ronquillo
.
in the aftermath of his Danzig
exit, just before forming the Chelsea Smiles, Youth had played some shows with Motörhead filling in on guitar for Phil Campbell
.
Youth was joined in the formation of the Chelsea Smiles by drummer, Karl Rosqvist
("Rockfist") (formerly of Steel Prophet
), Danzig
, bassist Johnny Martin and Christian Martucci
who previously played with Dee Dee Ramone
's band.
Together they released a four EP
named "Nowhere Ride" in 2005 on Capitol Records
, the following year, vocalist Martucci left the band to form Black President
. He was replaced by Skye Vaughan-Jayne, former Bullets And Octane
guitarist/song writer.
The band toured with several notable bands such as Social Distortion
, The Datsuns
and the reformed New York Dolls
. A debut full length album titled; "Thirty Six Hours Later
" followed with a US release date on November 7, 2006. Vocal duties on the album were shared by both Todd and Skye. The record was released in Europe in early December 2006, the Chelsea Smiles toured the United States
with Swedish rockers Backyard Babies
, Social Distortion
, etc. in support of the record as well as many headlining tours in Europe and the US.
Detroit native and LA studio musician RJ Ronquillo
joined The Chelsea Smiles in January 2009. RJ, who is an in-demand studio player, met Todd Youth through the various studio work they both do in the Los Angeles area. RJ has played on albums from Ricky Martin
, Santata, 2pac and DMX
, to name a few.
In March 2009 The Chelsea Smiles signed a worldwide licensing deal with DR2/Demolition Records to release the group's new record which came out in March 2009, and the band toured in support of the record in the United Kingdom and in the US.
Former
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
/sleaze rock band formed in 2004 featuring guitarist Todd Youth
Todd Youth
-Biography:Youth grew up in New York and started playing as young as 12 years old in several New York City hardcore bands. He made his playing debut with Agnostic Front in 1983 but did not play on any recordings. Youth also appeared for New York City act Warzone until around 1986...
(formerly of D Generation
D Generation
D Generation are an American glam punk band formed in 1991 in New York City. The band broke up in 1999, but will reunite in 2011 for shows. During its history the band released three albums, to much critical acclaim...
and Danzig
Danzig (band)
Danzig is an American heavy metal band, formed in 1987 in Lodi, New Jersey. The band serves as a musical outlet for the singer/songwriter Glenn Danzig. Danzig can be seen as the third stage in Glenn Danzig's musical career, preceded by the horror punk bands The Misfits and Samhain...
), Karl Rosqvist
Karl Rosqvist
Karl Rosqvist , also p.k.a. Karl Rockfist is a Swedish/ Finnish drummer who has been mostly active in the American music scene. He played in the Swedish metal band Sorg in the early to mid 90s....
of Danzig
Danzig (band)
Danzig is an American heavy metal band, formed in 1987 in Lodi, New Jersey. The band serves as a musical outlet for the singer/songwriter Glenn Danzig. Danzig can be seen as the third stage in Glenn Danzig's musical career, preceded by the horror punk bands The Misfits and Samhain...
, Steel Prophet
Steel Prophet
Steel Prophet is an American power metal band led by the founder and main writer Steve Kachinsky.-History:The band started in the middle of the 1980s in Middletown, Connecticut. The group's initial lineup consisted of Kachinsky on guitar, Gary Stocking on vocals, Wayne Faircloth on bass, and Harry...
, Skye Vaughan-Jayne of Bullets and Octane
Bullets and Octane
Bullets and Octane are a punk/hard rock band originally from St. Louis, Missouri and now based in Southern California . They originate from the band Ultrafink...
, Johnny Martin
Johnny Martin
John Wesley Martin was an Australian cricketer who played in 8 Tests from 1960 to 1967. Martin grew up on the central coast, near Taree, one of 10 children of the manager of Burrell Creek's post office and general store, which Johnny himself ended up managing...
and RJ Ronquillo
RJ Ronquillo
RJ Ronquillo is a professional studio and touring guitarist based in Los Angeles, CA. Originally from Grosse Pointe , MI, Ronquillo graduated from The University of Miami School of Music, and has since toured worldwide with such artists as: Ricky Martin, Chayanne, The Chelsea Smiles, Soraya, and...
.
History
The band was formed by guitarist Todd YouthTodd Youth
-Biography:Youth grew up in New York and started playing as young as 12 years old in several New York City hardcore bands. He made his playing debut with Agnostic Front in 1983 but did not play on any recordings. Youth also appeared for New York City act Warzone until around 1986...
in the aftermath of his Danzig
Danzig (band)
Danzig is an American heavy metal band, formed in 1987 in Lodi, New Jersey. The band serves as a musical outlet for the singer/songwriter Glenn Danzig. Danzig can be seen as the third stage in Glenn Danzig's musical career, preceded by the horror punk bands The Misfits and Samhain...
exit, just before forming the Chelsea Smiles, Youth had played some shows with Motörhead filling in on guitar for Phil Campbell
Phil Campbell (musician)
Philip Anthony Campbell has been the lead guitarist of the British heavy metal band Motörhead since 1984. He is also the former guitarist of Persian Risk.-Early life and career:...
.
Youth was joined in the formation of the Chelsea Smiles by drummer, Karl Rosqvist
Karl Rosqvist
Karl Rosqvist , also p.k.a. Karl Rockfist is a Swedish/ Finnish drummer who has been mostly active in the American music scene. He played in the Swedish metal band Sorg in the early to mid 90s....
("Rockfist") (formerly of Steel Prophet
Steel Prophet
Steel Prophet is an American power metal band led by the founder and main writer Steve Kachinsky.-History:The band started in the middle of the 1980s in Middletown, Connecticut. The group's initial lineup consisted of Kachinsky on guitar, Gary Stocking on vocals, Wayne Faircloth on bass, and Harry...
), Danzig
Danzig (band)
Danzig is an American heavy metal band, formed in 1987 in Lodi, New Jersey. The band serves as a musical outlet for the singer/songwriter Glenn Danzig. Danzig can be seen as the third stage in Glenn Danzig's musical career, preceded by the horror punk bands The Misfits and Samhain...
, bassist Johnny Martin and Christian Martucci
Christian Martucci
Christian Martucci is an American guitarist, bassist, vocalist and songwriter. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is a founding member of Thousand Watt Stare, Black President, The Strychnine Babies and The Chelsea Smiles...
who previously played with Dee Dee Ramone
Dee Dee Ramone
Dee Dee Ramone was an American songwriter and musician, best known as founding member, bassist and main songwriter of the punk rock band the Ramones....
's band.
Together they released a four EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
named "Nowhere Ride" in 2005 on Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
, the following year, vocalist Martucci left the band to form Black President
Black President (band)
Black President is an American punk rock band. It was formed in 2005 by Circle Jerks/Bad Religion guitarist Greg Hetson and Goldfinger guitarist Charlie Paulson.-History:...
. He was replaced by Skye Vaughan-Jayne, former Bullets And Octane
Bullets and Octane
Bullets and Octane are a punk/hard rock band originally from St. Louis, Missouri and now based in Southern California . They originate from the band Ultrafink...
guitarist/song writer.
The band toured with several notable bands such as Social Distortion
Social Distortion
Social Distortion is an American punk rock band formed in 1978 in Fullerton, California. The band currently consists of Mike Ness , Jonny Wickersham , Brent Harding and David Hidalgo, Jr...
, The Datsuns
The Datsuns
The Datsuns are a hard rock band from Cambridge, New Zealand, formed in 2000. To date they have released four albums and several singles, most of which have charted in New Zealand and/or the United Kingdom...
and the reformed New York Dolls
New York Dolls
The New York Dolls is an American rock band, formed in New York in 1971. The band's protopunk sound prefigured much of what was to come in the punk rock era; their visual style influenced the look of many new wave and 1980s-era glam metal groups, and they began the local New York scene that later...
. A debut full length album titled; "Thirty Six Hours Later
Thirty Six Hours Later
Thirty Six Hours Later is the debut full length release by hard rock band The Chelsea Smiles. It was released on November 7, 2006 via Acetate Records in the United States and released by People Like You.....
" followed with a US release date on November 7, 2006. Vocal duties on the album were shared by both Todd and Skye. The record was released in Europe in early December 2006, the Chelsea Smiles toured the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
with Swedish rockers Backyard Babies
Backyard Babies
Backyard Babies are a rock band, from Nässjö, Sweden. The band was formed in 1987 and over the years they have released five studio albums and won a Swedish Grammy. The band is now located in Stockholm, Sweden....
, Social Distortion
Social Distortion
Social Distortion is an American punk rock band formed in 1978 in Fullerton, California. The band currently consists of Mike Ness , Jonny Wickersham , Brent Harding and David Hidalgo, Jr...
, etc. in support of the record as well as many headlining tours in Europe and the US.
Detroit native and LA studio musician RJ Ronquillo
RJ Ronquillo
RJ Ronquillo is a professional studio and touring guitarist based in Los Angeles, CA. Originally from Grosse Pointe , MI, Ronquillo graduated from The University of Miami School of Music, and has since toured worldwide with such artists as: Ricky Martin, Chayanne, The Chelsea Smiles, Soraya, and...
joined The Chelsea Smiles in January 2009. RJ, who is an in-demand studio player, met Todd Youth through the various studio work they both do in the Los Angeles area. RJ has played on albums from Ricky Martin
Ricky Martin
Enrique "Ricky" Martín Morales , better known as Ricky Martin, is a Puerto Rican and Spanish pop singer and actor who achieved prominence, first as a member of the Latin boy band Menudo, then as a solo artist since 1991.During his career he has sold more than 60 million album copies worldwide...
, Santata, 2pac and DMX
DMX (rapper)
Earl Simmons , better known by his stage name DMX, is a multiplatinum American rapper and actor who rose to fame in the late 1990s. His stage name pays tribute to the Oberheim DMX drum machine, an instrument he used when he made his own rap beats in the 80's...
, to name a few.
In March 2009 The Chelsea Smiles signed a worldwide licensing deal with DR2/Demolition Records to release the group's new record which came out in March 2009, and the band toured in support of the record in the United Kingdom and in the US.
Members
Current- Skye Vaughan-Jayne - lead vocals
- Todd YouthTodd Youth-Biography:Youth grew up in New York and started playing as young as 12 years old in several New York City hardcore bands. He made his playing debut with Agnostic Front in 1983 but did not play on any recordings. Youth also appeared for New York City act Warzone until around 1986...
- vocals, guitar - RJ RonquilloRJ RonquilloRJ Ronquillo is a professional studio and touring guitarist based in Los Angeles, CA. Originally from Grosse Pointe , MI, Ronquillo graduated from The University of Miami School of Music, and has since toured worldwide with such artists as: Ricky Martin, Chayanne, The Chelsea Smiles, Soraya, and...
- vocals, guitar - Johnny Martin (musician) - bass, vocals
- Karl RosqvistKarl RosqvistKarl Rosqvist , also p.k.a. Karl Rockfist is a Swedish/ Finnish drummer who has been mostly active in the American music scene. He played in the Swedish metal band Sorg in the early to mid 90s....
("Rockfist") - drums - Ty Smith - drums
Former
- Christian MartucciChristian MartucciChristian Martucci is an American guitarist, bassist, vocalist and songwriter. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is a founding member of Thousand Watt Stare, Black President, The Strychnine Babies and The Chelsea Smiles...
- guitar/vocals
Album
- Thirty Six Hours LaterThirty Six Hours LaterThirty Six Hours Later is the debut full length release by hard rock band The Chelsea Smiles. It was released on November 7, 2006 via Acetate Records in the United States and released by People Like You.....
- (2006) Acetate Records/People Like You Records. - The Chelsea Smiles - (2009) Demolition Records/ DR2 Records.
Soundtrack
- AnnapolisAnnapolis (film)Annapolis is a 2006 drama film directed by Justin Lin and starring James Franco, Tyrese Gibson, Jordana Brewster, Donnie Wahlberg, Roger Fan, and Chi McBride. The film revolves around Jake Huard, a young man who dreams of one day attending the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland...
Soundtrack - (2006) Touchstone Pictures/ Disney - Flatout 2FlatOut 2FlatOut 2 is a racing video game developed by Bugbear Entertainment and published by Empire Interactive and Vivendi Universal Games. It is the sequel to the 2004-2005 releaseFlatOut....
In-Game Soundtrack (2006) - ParkPark (2006 film)Park is the name of an independent comedy-drama released in 2007. It was produced by Dana Jackson and directed by Kurt Voelker.The story revolves around a Los Angeles park, where ten colorful characters encounter love - and loss - in the course of one day....
Soundtrack (2007) - Close To Home (2006 TV-series) Warner Brothers