Artist description Cherrysmash is a Washington, DC based 4 piece modern rock band. The group specializes in original energetic, melodic rock, has just released their third CD "View from the Floor"! The band has been featured on loads of compilations & has been in regular rotation on college stations from Maine to Florida. Check out what the buzz is all about!

Music Style Modern Rock

Artist History The Washington D.C. modern rock band Cherrysmash was formed as "Euphoria" in late 1994 by vocalist /guitarist / songwriter Shane Heselius and keyboardist / songwriter Eric Kern. The band released its first single "Dixie Pig Barbecue" / "Good Thing" in 1995. Euphoria performed extensively between 1994 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 M.U.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, retaining the core vocalists, instrumentalists, and songwriters, while revising their rhythm section to complete a fully professional lineup and their most cohesive creative unit to date. This was achieved through the addition of rock veteran Dan Aylestock on bass and Jon Bumbrey on drums. 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.In 1998, teamed with the regionally renowned producer Don Zientara (Fugazi, Shudder To Think, Jawbox), Euphoria has returned to the studio to work on material for a second full length CD. As a sampler of the music the band is recording for the second album, Euphoria released their first EP with the new lineup “Another Night In Normalville.” Already, one song from these recording sessions, “Silhouette,” has been released on the compilation “Oasis Alternative Vol. 3,” and another, “F.Y.98,” is planned for a compilation by Xytar later this year. In April 2000 the band's name was changed to "Cherrysmash". Cherrysmash’s music has been described as “music on the brink of greatness” and “excellent college rock, both tough and astral”, and draws from a variety of rock and alternative influences. The band merges an energetic guitar sound with tight harmonies, smart song writing, and distinctive vocals. The Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) has dubbed Euphoria’s music “rock standard with plenty of punch!” and PiTCH magazine has called their debut album grin “a full album of strong songs, powerful vocals, and pounding music. "View from the Floor" was released in 2000. Currently, Cherrysmash is touring regionally, and have released two new singles, "P.O.S. Life" and "The Grill" from their upcoming fourth CD..

Group Members Cherrysmash is:Jon Bumbrey - Drums, PercussionShane Heselius - Vocals, GuitarEric Kern - Keyboards, VocalsDan Aylestock - Bass, Vocals

Instruments Guitars, Basses, Drums, and keyboards.

Albums "Euphoria - grin" - 1996; "Euphoria - Another Night In Normalville" - 1998; "Cherrysmash - View From The Floor" - 2000

Press Reviews "Cherrysmash: A DJ's Dream" - On Tap April, 2001 - By Tom PierceCherrysmash is WHFS's wet dream. Imagine, if you will, the poor DJs at the station, noble each and every one. Yet, they remain hapless corporate tools to a radio conglomerate which shoves down the public's collective throat mindless playlists set by industry marketing droids. Surely these DJs, who cut their teeth in radio by working at independent stations where music mattered, dream at night of becoming pure again. Deep in REM, they fantasize about caressing that newly discovered CD, getting drunk off the inky scent of the freshly printed liner notes. And then they wake up. Another day to slug into the office. Another day to push buttons, make witty comments. This pathetic cycle might continue indefinitely. But occasionally a band emerges that can merge fantasy and reality. Cherrysmash is such a band.The Virgina-based group, formerly known as Euphoria (they changed their name for several reasons, including our favorite: "It looks great on a t-shirt"), has been playing together in their present incarnation since '97. The current group includes Eric Kern, keyboards, Dan Aylestock, bass, Shane Heselius, guitar/lead vocals, and Jon Bumbrey, drums. Their first EP, Another Night in Normalville, released in 1998, earned the group rave reviews and steady airplay setting the stage for their latest release, View From the Floor.Corporate radio will drool over these guys. This is a band that can be programmed back to back with Matchbox 20, Third Eye Blind or Creed, more than holding its own. In fact, with cranking hooks, tortured lyrics, and flawless production (by Don Zientara of Fugazi, Shudder To Think, Jawbox), radio play of Cherrysmash's View From The Floor would give all of those more widely known bands a serious run for their money. So, here's the beauty of Cherrysmash. An WHFS DJ could slip them into the play list, living out a long suppressed fantasy of sharing with the public exciting, new music. The DJ could become, for once, RELEVANT-and lionized by future rock critics as someone who had the courage to discover a new group and bring it to the public. Until that happens, your best bet is to check out one of their upcoming live shows or get your hands on a copy of View From the Floor via their website. That way, when they do hit it big you'll be able to say you knew them when. Cherrysmash' drinking buddies would be: Alan Siegal, Scott Stapp, the DJ who discovers them.Rating: 5 shots (the Bomb)Monthly Music October 1998 - Tim J. Nelson"Here we have nice catchy pop-rock tunes that have an origin in the feeling of not being satisfied with being "normal". These tunes ("FY98", "One Cigarette", "Normalville", and "Silhouette") are filled with punk-pop frustration and humor that establish Euphoria as a regional force - damn, they really rock! Even "Normalville" brings a smile and then wipes it away with the rocking intro to the chorus. It sets the scene for Shane Heselius (vocals) and gang to tell of their discontentment with mediocrity. Another Night is a short EP that comes in under 15 minutes long; Euphoria really makes good use of this time. The straight-ahead rock tunes, understandable lyrics/vocals, and moody wholesomeness are hard to not like. Shane Heselius (vocals, guitars), Eric Kern (keyboards, vocals), Dan Aylestock (bass), and Jon Bumbrey (drums) have produced a respectable recording that hopefully will get them noticed by some "big dogs." This offering ends with the harmonious love song "Silhouette" - this is pure pop passion; fathers, watch your daughters!"Paula M. Sherman / of http://www.inmusicwetrust.com/ October 1998"This modern rock band out of Washington D.C has released their second offering entitled "Another Night In Normalville." This is an EP with 4 songs that demonstrate their ability to mix it up. Unlike some bands that can become stagnant in their approach, Euphoria clearly knows how to produce a sound that won't bore you to tears. The band consists of four players: Jon Bumbrey (drums), Shane Heselius (vocals and guitar), Eric Kern (keyboards and vocals), and Dan Aylestock (bass and vocals). While this band's sound does resemble "modern rock" and can be lumped into some of the groups of the mid and late 90's, I have to say these guys have the capability of stepping out of that top 40 pop costume party. The first song on their EP, "F.Y.98", has a very routinely popish feel to it. This isn't a bad thing. The vocals are strong and the music is good. I wouldn't mind listening to it on the radio or in a club. They do up the modern rock sound very well. But I'd like to see them jump into that heavy metal punk rock arena. The next song, "One Cigarette", is awesome! With drop dead throbbing guitar work and a heavy sounding rhythm accented with excellent vocals, this song is one fine rocking winner! I like it so much I keep listening to it over and over again. It has that Metallica/Alice In Chains/Nirvana touch that makes it my favorite tune on this EP. "Normalville" goes back to the modern rock sounds, with light acoustics and harmonica and a moderate melody that wells out for a moment or two with heavy riffs. Nicely done. The fourth song, "Silhouette" kinda gives you a little of both pop and rock in all the right proportions, with a quick tempo that chills out and comes back with tailored guitar work and smooth vocals. Euphoria's music is mature and very flavorsome, and they know how to pound out a heavy tune and make it intoxicating. I would love to hear more of their music. Their first release is "Grin", and I'm going to have to get my hands on it·..fast. I suspect that this band would be a thrill to see live. If you hear that Euphoria is in your area, go see them. Please email me and let me know how they were. I request this because someone was nice enough to see a band that I reviewed a while ago, and they emailed and told me that particular band was great live. I feel bad because I lost that person's email address and I never got a chance to say thanks for letting me know. I give "Another Night In Normalville" a B+ and consider it to be music on the brink of greatness.

Additional Info New Singles - "P.O.S. Life" - 2001; "The Grill" - 2002.

Location Washington, DC - USA

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