Smile Empty Soul

Smile Empty Soul emerged in 1998 as a heavy alternative trio while its three members were still attending high schools in Santa Clarita, California. Fronted by singer and guitarist Sean Danielson, the lineup also featured drummer Derek Gledhill and bassist Ryan Martin. After sharpening their material through repeated local performances, the group began playing the Sunset Strip and eventually handed a demo to Todd Parker at the Los Angeles indie label ThroBack Records. This connection secured them a contract with Jason Flom’s Lava imprint, which was growing rapidly following the breakthrough of its early signing Kid Rock. Working with producer John Lewis Parker, the band completed its self-titled debut, released by Lava in May 2003. Characterized by abrasive guitars and Danielson’s intensely furious vocals, the record drew heavily from early-’90s alternative rock. While tracking the follow-up in 2005, Gledhill departed; Dominic Weir stepped in on a temporary basis before Jake Kilmer took over the drum chair. Guitarist Mike Booth, formerly of Cold, also joined at this time. Anxiety had been slated for a 2005 release, yet a parting with Lava kept the album shelved. Their effective second album, the newly recorded Vultures, appeared in 2006. Following the promotional tour, Booth left the band on good terms. Anxiety finally surfaced in 2009 through the group’s own MRAfia Records, accompanied by a bonus DVD edition titled More Anxiety, while their fourth studio album, Consciousness, came out the same year. In 2012 they issued their fifth full-length, the sleekly produced 3’s, via eOne Records, which was soon succeeded by Chemicals on Two Disciples/Pavement. Early 2016 brought the Shapeshifter EP, mixing reworked versions of tracks from their debut with three fresh songs.