The EUGENE SMILES PROJECT is a highly acclaimed original rock quintet hailing from Madison, Wisconsin. Their material a compelling blend of rock, blues & soul, the ESP brings their unique tapestry of sound and storytelling alive with searing slide guitar, soaring vocal harmonies and low-down bottom end rhythm & grooves.
The audience appeal of the ESP is no secret: classic songwriting coupled with electrifying showmanship. The ESP's original material evokes the days of yore when music was a forum for emotion, debate, and revolution. They have created a musical melting pot that defies definition and while at times it may run contrary to current musical trends, it is always and forever true to its inspiration and roots.
Vocalist/Guitarist Steve Eller is a natural frontman - a charismatic & empassioned singer who pours his soul into every lyric and melody line. Originally from Northern Lower Michigan, he previously fronted Michigan rockers Hound Dog Moonshine.
Guitarist J.R. Short, who cut his teeth touring with Luther Allison from the tender age of 17 until Luther's death in 2003, is a young master of the electric blues-rock guitar, equally adept at blazing Hendrix-style solos, fiery Duane Allman-esque slide work and tender melodic figures.
Pianist/Vocalist Stephen Ellestad, former bassist for Baltimore-based jamband Pinfold & guitarist/vocalist with Wisconsin bluegrassers Barleycorn is a multi-instrumentalist with a distinctive look, style and voice, usually performing on piano or organ but occasionally picking up the acoustic guitar, mandolin or even bluegrass banjo to fill out the sound.
Bassist Dan 'Boat' Yachcik (aka the Bizzer) also hails from Michigan, where he covered the low-end in Hound Dog Moonshine with Eller. A powerful bassist with a strong groove and a deep melodic sense, Boat is a key component of the unique ESP sound.
Drummer Chris Sandoval has played with some of the biggest names in blues & rock, including Joe Louis Walker, Tommy Castro, Ike Turner, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi and Vince Welnick. A longtime resident of SF Bay Area, Chris brings a rock-solid groove and time to the music the ESP.
Here's what the industry is saying about the Eugene Smiles Project:These rockers sound a lot more like Southerners than Madisonians, but that's not a bad thing.
- The Isthmus, Madison's Independent Weekly PaperReally solid, tight performers. Each of their songs is well written & very unique.
- Michelle Tyrell, Warner Brothers Records...these folks are tight!
- Kim Travis, RCA RecordsA pleasure to hear; just excellent songs. Im very impressed!
- Gary Franklin, V2 RecordsThese guys are tight! Musicianship is terrific and the songs are awesome.
- Ron Clause, Belkin Productions
