Smile Empty Soul

Smile Empty Soul
Background information
Origin	Santa Clarita, California, United States
Genres	Post-grunge, alternative metal, alternative rock
Years active	1998-present
Labels	Two Disciples Entertainment Pavement Entertainment eOne Music F.O.F. Label Group Bieler Bros. Lava Records ThroBack
Website	www.SmileEmptySoul.com
Members	Sean Danielsen Ryan Martin Jake Kilmer
Past members	Derek Gledhill Dominic Weir Mike Booth

Smile Empty Soul is an American hard rock band from Santa Clarita, California, United States.^[1]

History

Beginnings (1998-2003)

Smile Empty Soul formed in 1998,^[2] while its original members were attending different high schools in the Santa Clarita area. The band, originally a three-piece group, consisted of vocalist and guitarist Sean Danielsen, bassist Ryan Martin and drummer Derek Gledhill.

After playing numerous hometown gigs, Smile Empty Soul ventured to the Sunset Strip, and later gave a demo to John Parker of Los Angeles indie label, ThroBack Records, which led later on to a record deal with Jason Flom's Lava Records.^[1]

Self-titled debut album (2003-2005)

On May 27, 2003, the band released their self-titled debut album Smile Empty Soul.^[3] The album was produced by John Lewis Parker,^[1] and mixed by David J. Holman.^[4] Three singles, "Bottom of a Bottle", "Nowhere Kids" and "Silhouettes", were released via the recording. In March 2005, the album was certified gold with sales in excess of 500,000+.^[5]

Anxiety (2005-2006)

In 2005, before the recording of their second album Anxiety was finished, drummer Derek Gledhill was replaced by Flickerstick percussionist Dominic Weir.^[6] Their new album Anxiety, was not released (at that time) due to the band parting ways with Lava Records after the company refused to release their record.^[7][8]

On July 13, 2006,^[9] Smile Empty Soul signed with independent label, Bieler Bros. Records.^[10][11][12] At this point, drummer Dominic Weir had been replaced by Jake Kilmer,^[13] and Mike Booth (ex-Cold) was added as a second guitarist.^[14]

Vultures (2006-2009)

On October 24, 2006, the band released Vultures, the official follow-up to their 2003 debut Smile Empty Soul. The album doesn't feature any songs from the unreleased Anxiety.^[15] The first single released was the song "The Hit".^[16]

Vultures debuted at No. 169 on the Billboard 200 album charts^[17] with just over 5,000 copies sold.^[18] The band then embarked on a tour with The Exies.^[19]

In late April 2007,^[20] the band parted ways with Mike Booth, which was a mutual split. The band has yet to replace him, and has continued on as a 3-piece.^[21]

The trio began recording their new record in Greenville, South Carolina on February 1, 2008.^[22]

Consciousness and More Anxiety (2009-2012)

Soon after recording for their new album entitled Consciousness was finished,^[22] the band returned to the studio to record a few more songs.^[22] Later on, the band confirmed that they had signed with F.O.F./EMI records.^[22] Consciousness was then released in August 2009.^[23]

In November 2009, the 2005 album Anxiety was released on iTunes.^[24][25]

On March 9, 2010, More Anxiety, a special edition of Anxiety including a bonus DVD was released.^[26]

Smile Empty Soul have released music videos for "We're Through"^[27] and "Faker" from their album Consciousness.^[28]

In 2009, it was announced that Danielsen formed a new group called World Fire Brigade with Fuel vocalist Brett Scallions, which also consisted of bassist Brad Stewart (ex-Shinedown) and former Candiria drummer Ken Schalk. The debut studio album, entitled Spreading My Wings, was released in August 2012 through FrostByte Media.^[29][30]

3's (2012-2013)

On March 14, 2012, it was announced that Smile Empty Soul had signed with eOne Music and will be releasing their new album "3's" on May 22, 2012.^[31]

In March 2012, "Afterlife", the first single from 3's, was released.^[32]

In April 2013 lead singer Sean Danielsen released his solo EP Enjoy the Process.^[33]

Later that year, October 1, 2013 was announced as the expected date of release.^[34]

Chemicals (2013-2015)

In June 2013 it was announced that Smile Empty Soul formed an imprint label called Two Disciples Entertainment in conjunction with Pavement Entertainment^[35] and would release Chemicals in fall of 2013.^[36]

On November 3, 2014, Danielsen released his second solo EP entitled Food Chain.^[33]

Shapeshifter (2015-present)

In September 2015, the ensemble also announced through their Facebook page that in early 2016, an EP and DVD was expected.^[37] In November 2015, the band stated that the artwork for the EP is complete.^[38] The work, whose title was announced in January 2016 as Shapeshifter^[39] is scheduled for release on 01 April 2016.^[40]

Band members

Smile Empty Soul performing at South by So What?! music festival in March 2014

Current

• Sean Danielsen – lead vocals, lead & rhythm guitars (1998–Present)
• Ryan Martin – bass guitar (1998–Present)
• Jake Kilmer – drums, backing vocals (2006–Present)

Former

• Derek Gledhill – drums, backing vocals (1998–2005)
• Dominic Weir – drums (2005–2006)
• Mike Booth – lead guitars (2006–2007)

Discography

Studio albums Year Album details Peak chart positions US [41] US Ind. [41] 2003 Smile Empty Soul Released: May 27, 2003 Label: Lava Formats: CD, DI 94 — 2005 Anxiety Released: September 27, 2005 (Digital Download) Re-Released: March 9, 2010 (Physical CD) Label: MRAfia, F.O.F. Label Group, EMI Formats: CD, DI — — 2006 Vultures Released: October 24, 2006 Label: Bieler Bros. Formats: CD, DI 169 14 2009 Consciousness Released: August 25, 2009 Label: F.O.F. Label Group, EMI Formats: CD, DI 156 — 2012 3's Released: May 22, 2012 Label: eOne Formats: CD, DI — — 2013 Chemicals Released: October 1, 2013 Label: Pavement Entertainment, Two Disciples Entertainment Formats: CD, DI — — "—" denotes a release that did not chart.

EPs 2008 B-Sides Released: 2008 Label: MRAfia Formats: CD, DI 2016 Shapeshifter Released: April 1, 2016 Label: Pavement Entertainment Formats: CD/DVD Singles Year Song Peak chart positions Album US[42] US Alt. [41] US Main. [41] 2003 "Bottom of a Bottle"^[A] 107 7 8 Smile Empty Soul 2004 "Nowhere Kids" — 27 26 "Silhouettes" — 22 25 2005 "Don't Need You" — — 37 Anxiety 2006 "The Hit" — — — Vultures 2007 "Here's to Another" — — — "Loser" — — — 2009 "Don't Ever Leave" — — 39 Consciousness 2010 "Alone with Nothing" — — — "We're Through" — — — 2012 "Afterlife" — — — 3's 2013 "False Alarm" — — 27 Chemicals 2014 "Chemicals" — — — 2016 "All In My Head" TBA TBA TBA Shapeshifter "—" denotes a release that did not chart.

Other songs "Alone"[43] "Anywhere but Down"[44] "Aneurysm" (Nirvana cover)[45]

Music videos "Bottom of a Bottle"[46] "Nowhere Kids"[47] "Silhouettes"[48] "This Is War"[49] "Here's to Another"[50][51][52] "Jesus Is the Manager at Wal-Mart"[53] "Loser"[54] "Don't Ever Leave"[55] "We're Through"[56] "Faker"[57] "Afterlife"[58] "Not Alike"[59] "Wrecking Ball"[60] "False Alarm"[61] "Chemicals"[62] "All In My Head"[63] Contributions "Finding Myself" – Featured on The Punisher: The Album (2004)[64] "Who I Am" – Featured on Music from and Inspired by Spider-Man 2 (2004)[65]

Notes

A ^ "Bottom of a Bottle" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 7 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, which acts as a 25-song extension to the Hot 100.

Trivia

• Percussionist Jake Kilmer is also a music producer^[66] who performs in Poet Warrior^[67] as well as Johnny Bluegrass and the Coonhounds.^[68][69]
• In July 2015, Kilmer Family Band, a California bluegrass acoustic ensemble that Kilmer formed with his very closest relatives,^[70] released their debut self-titled album,^[71] which includes their debut single "Christmas in June".^[72]

References

1. "Smile Empty Soul". artistdirect.com. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
2. "Post-grunge rockers Smile Empty Soul hoping for best". daytondailynews.com. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
3. Johnny Loftus. "Smile Empty Soul - Smile Empty Soul - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
4. "David J. Holman - Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
5. Christa Emmer. "Smile Empty Soul kicks off summer tour Thursday in Las Vegas". AXS. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
6. "Smile Empty Soul Preps Sophomore Album". Billboard. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
7. "iTunes - Music - Smile Empty Soul". apple.com. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
8. "Smile Empty Soul comes to Tremors Nightclub". St. Joseph News-Press and FOX 26 KNPN. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
9. "Melodic Net - Smile Empty Soul Signed To Bieler Bros". Melodic.net. 2006-07-13. Retrieved 2015-04-04.
10. test. "Smile Empty Soul". Detroit Sports Nation. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
11. "Smile Empty Soul brings impressive expression of angst". Times West Virginian. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
12. "Blistering Metal News: Smile Empty Soul Sign With Bieler Bros Records". blistering.com. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
13. "Bieler Bros. Records". away-team.com. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
14. "Smile Empty Soul". 100xr.com. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
15. "Vultures - Smile Empty Soul - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
16. "Smile Empty Soul - Vultures". IGN. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
17. "Vultures - Smile Empty Soul - Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
18. "Hannah Montana Rains On My Chemical Romance’s Parade". MTV News. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
19. "Melodic Net - Smile Empty Soul Hit The Road With The Exies And Autovein". Melodic.net. Retrieved 2015-04-04.
20. "Smile Empty Soul Featured Band 525 Power Tracks Hard Rock Radio Metal Radio Playing Smile Empty Soul". 525powertracks.com. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
21. Aaron Willschick. "Interview with Smile Empty Soul frontman Sean Danielsen « Interviews « PureGrainAudio.com". puregrainaudio.com. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
22. "Smile Empty Soul-Battered and Bruised, But Persisting Feature Interview At Blistering.com". blistering.com. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
23. "Smile Empty Soul - Consciousness". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
24. "What happened to Smile Empty Soul?". chacha.com. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
25. "iTunes - Music - Anxiety by Smile Empty Soul". iTunes. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
26. Alex Henderson. "More Anxiety - Smile Empty Soul - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
27. "Smile Empty Soul - WE'RE THROUGH". ARTISTdirect. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
28. "Watch Smile Empty Soul’s “Faker” Video - tunelab邃｢". tunelab邃｢. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
29. "World Fire Brigade Debut Album Features Guest Spots From Pearl Jam + Anthrax Members". Loudwire. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
30. "Pearl Jam, Anthrax Members Guest On World Fire Brigade Debut - Blabbermouth.net". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
31. "Smile Empty Soul Signs With E One Music - Blabbermouth.net". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
32. "Smile Empty Soul, ‘Afterlife’: Exclusive Lyric Video Premiere". Noisecreep. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
33. "Smile Empty Soul singer to play solo concert". Joplin Globe. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
34. "Smile Empty Soul Reveal New Album Track Listing, Release Date & Tour Dates". ARTISTdirect. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
35. "Smile Empty Soul to rock Bottom Lounge Nov. 14". Loyola Phoenix. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
36. "Smile Empty Soul, ‘False Alarm’ – Exclusive Song Premiere". Loudwire. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
37. "Spending a little time on this beautiful Arkansas day refining the new songs for the upcoming Smile Empty Soul EP(spring of 2016), and my next solo EP(Fall of 2016) Getting excited for Smile to go into the studio in Los Angeles California next month!!!". Facebook. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
38. "Timeline Photos - Smile Empty Soul". Facebook. 2015-11-04. Retrieved 2016-01-01.
39. "Sean Danielsen - Happy 2016!!!In 3 months new Smile Empty... - Facebook". facebook.com. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
40. "Happy new year people!!! We have a new... - Smile Empty Soul". Facebook. Retrieved 2016-01-01.
41. Peak chart positions in the United States:
    • "Smile Empty Soul Album & Song Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
    • "Smile Empty Soul Album & Song Chart History: Independent Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
    • "Smile Empty Soul Album & Song Chart History: Alternative Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
    • "Smile Empty Soul > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2011-01-13.
42. "Wayne Static and Smile Empty Soul at the Machine Shop in Flint, MI on 12-Jun-2014". nationalrockreview.com. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
43. "Smile Empty Soul - Alone". YouTube. 31 December 1969. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
44. Alex Henderson. "More Anxiety - Smile Empty Soul - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
45. "Smile Empty Soul, ‘Aneurysm’ — Exclusive MP3 Download". Noisecreep. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
46. "Smile Empty Soul - Bottom Of A Bottle - Music Video - MTV". MTV. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
47. "Smile Empty Soul - Nowhere Kids - Music Video - MTV". MTV. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
48. "Smile Empty Soul - Silhouettes - Music Video - MTV". MTV. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
49. "Smile Empty Soul - This Is War music video - MTV UK". MTV UK. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
50. "HERE'S TO ANOTHER - Smile Empty Soul - Letras.mus.br". Letras.mus.br. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
51. Bieler Bros. Records (12 September 2006). ".html". The Gauntlet. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
52. "Smile Empty Soul". smileemptysoul.com. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
53. Christa Emmer. "Smile Empty Soul kicks off summer tour Thursday in Las Vegas". AXS. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
54. "LOSER (TRADUÇÃO) - Smile Empty Soul - Letras.mus.br". Letras.mus.br. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
55. "Smile Empty Soul - Don`t Ever Leave music video on MUZU". MUZU.TV. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
56. "Smile Empty Soul - WE'RE THROUGH". ARTISTdirect. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
57. "Watch Smile Empty Soul’s “Faker” Video - tunelab™". tunelab™. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
58. "Smile Empty Soul Unveil ‘Afterlife’ Video". Loudwire.com. 2012-05-27. Retrieved 2015-02-19.
59. "NOT ALIKE - Smile Empty Soul - Letras.mus.br". Letras.mus.br. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
60. "Smile Empty Soul". Ticketfly. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
61. "Smile Empty Soul, 'False Alarm' - Exclusive Video Premiere". Loudwire. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
62. "Smile Empty Soul "Chemicals" cute kitten video". YouTube. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
63. "Smile Empty Soul "All In My Head"". YouTube. 15 January 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
64. "The Punisher: The Album – Various Artists – Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
65. James Christopher Monger. "Spider-Man 2 [Original Soundtrack] – Danny Elfman – Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
66. "Jake Kilmer (About)". Jake Kilmer. Retrieved 2015-06-26.
67. "iTunes - Music - Poet Warrior by Poet Warrior". iTunes. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
68. Jake Kilmer. "Johnny Bluegrass and The Coonhounds". johnnybluegrassandthecoonhounds.com. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
69. "Johnny Bluegrass & the Coonhounds "Frosty The Dopeman" Mexitucky X-Mas 2014". Vimeo. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
70. "Jake Kilmer (musician/programmer)". Jake Kilmer. Retrieved 2015-06-26.
71. "TGIF!! Since yesterday was June 25th,... - Smile Empty Soul". Facebook. Retrieved 2015-06-26.
72. ""Christmas In June" by Kilmer Family Band". YouTube. Retrieved 2015-06-26.

External links

• Official website
• Smile Empty Soul at AllMusic
• Interview @ SHOUT! Music Webzine