Meet the Band!

WHO(Left To Right)
Jon Bumbrey
Eric Kern
Dan Aylestock
Shane Heselius

Hi, we're the band. good to meet ya.
Ok, so you may already know that we're from Washington D.C., that we've got some CD's out, and that we play all over the east coast. Here's a little of the How & Why of it all...

HOW

Shane and Eric have been playing together in bands since the early '90s. Cherrysmash began as the D.C. band "Euphoria". The first generation of Euphoria was formed in '93, and the band released its first single "Dixie Pig Barbecue" / "Good Thing" in 1995. Euphoria performed extensively between 1993 and 1996, and in the summer of 1996, released their debut CD, grin.

The band’s exposure grew rapidly, and from the winter of ‘96 through the summer of ‘97, songs from this 14-song CD were in regular rotation on over 60 college radio stations all over the eastern United States. Songs from grin were selected for several nationally released compilation CD’s in 1996, including "Debris" on Rev It Up! by Local Music Store, and "Insanity" on MU.S.E. by PiTCH magazine. Additionally, the album received rave reviews. Meanwhile,the band became a sought-after live act, touring the mid-atlantic region, opening for national acts, and performing in regional events, clubs, and showcases including the Philadelphia Music Conference.

In the summer and fall of 1997, the band regrouped to focus purely on originals. This was done retaining the core vocalists, instrumentalists, and songwriters, while adding Jon and Dan to their rhythm section to complete a fully professional lineup and their most cohesive creative unit to date. This is the combination that would later be renamed "Cherrysmash". Later that year, their song "Another Lonely Night" was selected for Kathode Ray Music’s CD "You are now under our control," yet another nationally released compilation.

Then in 1998, teamed with the regionally renowned producer Don Zientara (Fugazi, Shudder To Think, Jawbox), the band returned to the studio to begin work on new material. In 1998 the band released their first EP with the new lineup "Euphoria - Another Night In Normalville" which was met with rave reviews and ample airplay as well. One song from this EP, "Silhouette," has been released on the compilation "Oasis Alternative Vol. 3,". Then, in August 2000, Cherrysmashed completed and released their second full length CD "View from the Floor".
Cherrysmash’s music has been described as "music on the brink of greatness", "pure pop passion" and "excellent college rock, both tough and astral", and draws from a variety of rock and alternative influences. The band merges an energetic guitar-driven sound with tight harmonies, smart song writing, and distinctive vocals. The Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) has dubbed the band as "rock standard with plenty of punch!" and PiTCH magazine has called their debut CD "a full album of strong songs, powerful vocals, and pounding music."

Currently, Cherrysmash is touring regionally in support of "View from the Floor", and has begun work on music for a follow-up CD release, currently planned for sometime next year.

WHAT

In the distinguished words of the band's sound engineer, Cherrysmash is " A merger of distinct and varied personalities and influences, from distinctive backgrounds who've found their strongest common bond to be their affection and talent for producing and performing highly original, quality music. The band is bonded by mutual respect of the other's talents and abilities, and a mutual love for the music they produce. Through this merging of four unique vantage points with the application of a mutual love for quality driving, melodic, intelligent music, they have achieved an approach to this popular genre that is at once so unique, so uncommon, and so exceptional........and, oh yeah, they ROCK".

WHERE

Click Here for our Schedule

WHEN

Whenever. Anytime's good if you've got a tape or CD. Put it on. Crank it up. If not, you ought to check out our "grin" page to see where to get one, our sound bite, or check out our live dates! See you there.

WHY

What forces brought all this to be?
Who can say, really, some things just end up being because thats how they need to be. Shane's began playing guitar when he heard his first Hendrix song early in his life and has been playing, singing and writing ever since, Eric's been performing with various bands and written over 500 songs, pretty much nonstop since he was 12 years old, Dan's been serious about music his whole life including years of perfecting his talents in an array of DC area bands. Jon's serious dedication and desire to contribute his inspired drumming to Cherrysmash fuels a polished vigor and drive in the band's sound.
With dedication this strong, and material this promising, the band shows promise of a bright future! Check out Cherrysmash at a club near you, and maybe you'll see "why", as well.

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