Taking new steps on the grand musical journey, Bill Smith has found the ability to ferment futuristic songs with classic rock instrumentation and has been leaving music fans in Chicago breathless with their heavy hitting sound. Featuring a repertoire of solid original songs seething with hooks and tastefully chosen covers, this is a band that holds a consistently high level of energy through out their sets.
Late in 2006, the songwriting tandem of Ryan Chamlin and Dan "Dank" Koebnick would reunite, Dank making his way down from the Rocky Mountains to pursue a life of music in the city of Chicago.
Shortly after settling in, they found their drummer in Bob Elchert, with a diverse sound and years of professional experience under his belt, he was a perfect fit, and Bill Smith was reborn. Although Ryan, Dank and Bob all met at the Shining Stars Music Festival in Cave Junction, Oregon, they didn't play a note together until they came together as Bill Smith three years later. The recent addition of Drew Littel’s talents to Bob Elchert’s drumming has birthed a duosonic rhythm team remenisant of Hart and Kreutzman. Their combined talents create a steady foundation for the band’s other fresh but dexterous member, bassist Patrick Dinnen who joined the line-up in the fall of 2007.
The tour de force that is Bill Smith can be seen playing shows in and around the Chicago area. The versatility of their sound, which spans from acid jazz to mountain bluegrass, appeals to a wide variety, while the band itself has a distinct identity that anchors their music. Members of Bill Smith have perform with or opened for such national acts as Galactic, Umphrey's Mcgee, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Steele Pulse, Jon Fishman, Merle Saunders, Maktub and Big Head Todd & the Monsters.
Please come help us celebrate the music of The Allman Brothers Band and The Grateful Dead this Saturday evening May 17 at Owsley's Golden Road, 2151 Lawrence in downtown Denver. The show will feature two full sets by each band performed by Mountain Jam and Mason's Children, and features former/current members of The Motet, Phix, Double Parked and Purple Buddha. Show begins promptly at 9:00 PM! See you there!
You can also catch Mountain Jam this Friday evening, May 16 at The Q in Cherry Creek (Detroit and 3rd Street) and on Friday, May 30 at the Boulder Theater in downtown Boulder.
Thanks sooo much for the Birthday LoVe! It should be a jammin time ;) So the 420 show in Urbana rocked my socks ... soem dope dude gave me and my friends a Bill Smith sticker and since thats my dad's name I put it on his truck! He LoVeS it ... I even got him to jam out to some tunes with me! I cant wait to see you boys get down again... if y'all head southbound to good ol Indiana Ill rub your back ;) Safe Daze, Peace and LoVe Richelle