ArtistInfo

Evermore Nashville

A.k.a. keyboardist/vocalist Jeff Germscheid, guitarist/vocalist Blake Smith, bassist/vocalist Chris Rueger, and drums Vinnie Alibrandi

"I had a dream in a coffeehouse/theater where Gabriel was chatting with Tori's band while waiting in line. Trent was hanging with Crimson around one of the large tables. Dave Matthews was sitting in a comfortable chair reading Genesis. Lanois and Eno were everywhere. When I woke up I was in Evermore." This is how drummer Vinnie Alibrandi describes the musical identity and feel of the band Evermore. Comprised of keyboardist/vocalist Jeff Germscheid, guitarist/vocalist Blake Smith, bassist/vocalist Chris Rueger, and Alibrandi, the band thrives on creative diversity, incorporating genres ranging from progressive rock to bluegrass to heavy metal to textural electronica to combine into their musical arrangements. The band Evermore originally started in 1993 as a synthetic pop collaboration between Germscheid and another keyboardist, but differing creative interests, and a wish by Germscheid to widen his musical horizons eventually caused the duo to go their separate ways. The idea of collaborating started again in 1996, when Germscheid met first Smith, and then Rueger through a series of independent recording projects. At that time, all three were involved as solo songwriter/artists, but found that they shared a creative link, and soon began working together. After a year, and the recording of their first independent CD, Absinthe, the three looked to expand out from their studio endeavors into live performance. They began staging "art shows" at regional theaters, including dramatic lighting and paintings by local artists on stage in addition to a musical concert. In doing these performances, they met Alibrandi, who initially came to them as a "gun-for-hire" drummer, but stayed with the band, sharing both their musical vision and interests. After concentrating on the live performance aspect for a year, Evermore is now working on their third (as yet untitled) independent CD. Their first album, Absinthe, was a compilation of the various recording projects that brought the band together in their genesis. The second CD, Research Among The Ruins, is a more focused collection, derived mainly from the deeper songwriter musings of Smith and Germscheid. Their latest effort will feature a heavier rhythmic feel, driven by the now solid foundation of Rueger and Alibrandi. The combination of differing genres, musical ideals, and influences into a synergistic whole is the driving force behind the band. Through their unique songwriting and musical arrangements, Evermore succeeds a creating a sound that is wholly their own. "A lot of bands say that they are different," says bassist/songwriter Rueger, "but we really are.

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