Schmitt Stash [R.I.P.]

Schmitt Stash is a five-piece band, taking the music scene of Rochester by storm. Playing a variety of rock music, Schmitt Stash is always looking for more venues to play and ways to become more established. The band began some four years ago, when rhythm guitarist Joe Kokal was in the 8th grade. The band's name originated from a school art teacher, named Mr. Schmidt, who sported a formidable mustache. Joe was joined by long time friend and fellow guitarist James Owen; the two began to form a lineup of talented musicians, changing constantly over the next few years to best suit their needs as a group. Two years later, James' brother Graham Owen joined the band on drums, and accompanied by vocalist and bassist Simon Zais, the quartet began to play gigs throughout southeast Minnesota.
Following the departure of Zais in the spring of 2007, the three remaining members discovered vocalist Pat Testa at a gig and were immediately impressed. Following several jam sessions, he was added to the lineup, creating a new dynamic for the group and allowing them to try new, complex sounds - all the while appealing to a much broader audience, and playing more shows than ever.
Finally, in the spring of 2008, bassist Mike Brock was added to the mix, and the five-piece group began to prepare for its biggest opportunity to date: opening for classic rock outfit, Blue Oyster Cult. The show went off without a hitch and proceeded to launch the band to new heights. Schmitt Stash went on haitus that fall, however, when guitarist James Owen called it a day and left the group for good. Sending the band on the lookout for a new guitarist, they were unable to take advantage of their new found status. Fortunately, in the following winter, Rochester-renouned guitarist Cody Hoffman came into the picture, and proceeded to join the group.
Finally, as 2009 came around, summer marked the graduation of Joe from high school, as well as the beginning of a new chapter for the group. Playing better than ever, Schmitt Stash is prepared to launch themselves to new heights with new music, better promotion, and more gigs than ever, stretching into parts of the Midwest not yet seen by the band. With no end in sight, for Schmitt Stash, the best is yet to come.
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