Stratosphere was an L.A. based group which played in the So. Cal area from 1997 to 2002. The band suffered many personal setbacks along the way which limited the number of live shows they performed and the amount of music they released.
History:
Stratosphere began in 1995, originally an offshoot of the band "Rattlin' Bones" which had been formed by ex-Pretty Boy Floyd members bassist Vinnie Chas and guitarist Aeriel Stiles. Continuing with some of the "bones" material, they recruited vocalist Jeff Alpin, a high school friend of Stiles'. They began recording a 5 song EP at Weir Brothers Studio with Steve Plunkett, of Autograph fame, as producer. Former Doll/Kery Doll drummer Philip "dare" Geldray contributed drumming, as well as, legendary studio ace and "A Perfect Circle" drummer Josh Freese. Vinnie Chas moved out of CA before the line up was complete and the band renamed itself "Stratosphere." Stiles and Alpin recorded an additional 10 songs at Stiles' home studio. They narrowed the 15 tracks down to 10 and released the CD "Time" in 1997. They recruited drummer Jay Rezendes and bassist John Binkley in time to appear on the cover art, but the "Time" CD was already finished prior.
Stratosphere began playing regular shows in the L.A. area. Guitarist Aeriel Stiles was nominated by Rock City News magazine for best guitarist for 3 consecutive years. Their live shows were a retro-hippie stage set which featured lots of lighting effects, including the use of invisible florescent paints which made Jeff Alpin's artwork banners and scrims reveal hidden images when the black lights came on. Long before it became trendy, the entire band also decked out in psychedelic retro bell bottoms, shirts and attire designed and stitched by Alpin (who now operates the clothing line "rudester wear"). Drummer Jay Rezendes was later replaced by PIT-schooled drummer, Johnny Purcell. Next, John Binkley was replaced on bass by Mike Robatin. With the new line-up they began working on a new album, going more in the direction of Black Sabbath influenced metal and abandoning the retro-psychedelic style of the 1st album. The band played its final live shows in 2002. The band eventually disbanded before its 2nd CD was released.
Stiles relocated to Nashville and currently works as a music producer, session player and songwriter and has composed music for commercials, films and video games.
Jeff Alpin and Jay Rezendes currently play in "Stone Soul" and have completed their debut CD. Visit them here: www.myspace.com/stonesoul1
