Chimestone

evening radio show “The Young and The Restless” and received immediate attention, thus getting into rotation on Collins’ show. Not long after, they were chosen by The Seattle Times as one of the city’s most promising and talented new musical acts. Known for their high-energy live performances, Chimestone was one of the first bands featured at the Off Ramp Café’s “New Music Mondays”. Their draw afforded them headlining and supporting performances at every music venue in Seattle and the west coast. The band has toured or played selected shows with such bands as Sweet Water, Lazy Susan, Inflatable Soul, Kitchen Radio, The Guessing Game, The Young Fresh Fellows, and The Ocean Blue. It is significant to note that Chimestone’s most recent effort was the last recording done on the legendary NEVE Recording Console at London Bridge Studios in Seattle, WA. This board captured recordings from Seattle artists Mother Love Bone, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, and Candlebox among many others. The musicians in Chimestone, under the moniker Newport Drill Team, contributed “A Lawyer Just Saved My Life” to the soundtrack of the documentary film A Lawyer Walks Into a Bar. Currently Chimestone is playing benefit concerts in the Seattle area. Most recently a sold-out benefit for Painted Courage in 2016, they have also done benefits for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and The Ronald McDonald House. History

Formed in early 1991 by Jake Gordon (vocals), brothers Ryan Schuehle (guitars) and Ted Schuehle (bass), and Paul Michaels (drums), Chimestone originally went by the name Chime, however changing their name when they were informed that a band with this moniker existed. On their way to a midnight recording session the band was talking about Seattle’s cobblestone streets, they changed their name to Chimestone. These recording sessions became what was to be known in Seattle music circles as “Red Tape”, produced by Jonathan Plum and recorded in two nights at Seattle’s Music Source Studios. The tape went on to sell in consignment at Seattle Tower Records and Cellophane Square locations, however the stores could not keep stock on hand under this model and eventually had to be sold as a stocked item – a first for the Seattle Tower Records location. The 5-song “Red Tape” is long out of circulation however digital versions are traded online. Chimestone entered Seattle’s Bad Animals studio with legendary producer Don Gilmore in September of 1993. Known for his perfectionism and great ear, Gilmore pushed the band to new levels of creativity and the result was their critically acclaimed release “Just For Grins”. During their time in the studio, the band was known for its fun loving demeanor and played some friendly pranks on fellow Seattle band Soundgarden, also working down the hall at Bad Animals on their album Superunknown. After completion, “Just For Grins” went on to sell over 8,000 copies with support from word of mouth and their tireless live performance schedule. In 1996, the band felt exhausted from relentless live shows and even though they had several songs completed for the next recording session, they decided to take a hiatus. Over the next several years, members played in varying projects The Cheap Ones, Splendor, and Anabret. Resurgence (2014 - Present)

With the advent of digital music distribution, the band decided to release “Just For Grins” on outlets CD Baby and iTunes. They were stunned when within months the band had hundreds of downloads with virtually no promotion. This prompted the band to upload their songs on Myspace and eventually Facebook, opening their music to an entirely new generation of fans and a resurgence with their previous fan base. The amazing response prompted the band to re-form and begin playing occasional live performances, now focused on charitable foundations. In 2014, they took part in a benefit to raise funds to repair the legendary NEVE Recording Console at London Bridge Studios in Seattle. Chimestone was honored to be the last band to record on the console before it underwent restoration, and released their single “Auggie’s Lament”, produced by Jonathan Plum and the band. In 2020, Chimestone recorded a new 5-song EP at London Bridge, along with Jonathan Plum adding lead guitars along with engineering and co-production on the project. The new release also features guest vocals by Kim Virant on one special track.