Simplified (band)

Simplified
Origin	Charlotte, NC, United States
Genres	Rock, reggae fusion, roots rock
Years active	2003–present
Labels	Hippizaz
Website	Official website
Members
Clee Laster Chris Sheridan Chris Lynch Donnie Marple

Simplified is a North American rock band from Charlotte, NC.

History

In 2002, Chris Sheridan and Clee Laster played acoustic shows around the Charlotte area, searching for members to fill their lineup. Bassist Chris Lynch joined Simplified during the summer of 2003, and in December drummer Tim Lail did as well. In January 2004 the group, known as Simplified, played their first show at The Visulite Theatre with local bluegrass/jamgrass outfit The Moonshine Racers and The Todd Joseph Band. The band entered the studio and recorded a six song EP, "Act One," with producer Glenn Tabor.

During the summer of 2004, Simplified participated in the Jillians National Band Battle and won city finals in Raleigh and the regional finals in Columbia SC. The band eventually attended the national finals and placed second. The band toured nationally in the winter of 2004 and the spring of 2005, writing material for their first full-length album. A live performance, Live at the Visulite, was recorded and released in 2005.

Simplified's first full length record, SMILE, was recorded at GAT3 studios from winter 2005 through summer of 2006. SMILE was released in the fall of 2006 and won Best Rock Album 2007 at the Charlotte Music Awards.

Between touring, Simplified recorded Elephant Sky which was released in April 2008.

In the spring of 2010 after Lail left the band they focused on writing for a 3rd studio record, and relied on fill-in drummers from around Charlotte to fulfill touring obligations. In the winter of 2010/2011 the band brought in Jerry DePizzo, saxophonist and guitarist from the rock band O.A.R., to produce "Brighter Days". In April 2011 Brighter Days was released. Donnie Marple joined the band full time on drums in the summer of 2011.

Discography

Release date	Title	Record Label
2011	Brighter Days	Hippizaz Records
2008	Elephant Sky	Hippizaz Records
2006	Smile	Hippizaz Records
2005	Live at the Visulite	Hippizaz Records

External links

• Official Website

References

• Wildsmith, Steve "Simplified puts it's name to work for it's rock 'n' roll" [1] “The Daily Times”, March 30, 2011, accessed April 25, 2011.
• Devores, Courtney “Local Flavor: A Hometown Act Worth Watching” [2] “The Charlotte Observer”, April 15, 2011, accessed April 25, 2011.
• Hahne, Jeff “CD Review: Simplified’s Brighter Days” [3] “Creative Loafing”, April 12, 2011, accessed April 25, 2011.
• Augustine, Dianna “Interview: Simplified” [4] “Shutter 16 Magazine”, September 11, 2009, accessed April 25, 2011.
• Wake, Matt “Clee Speaks” [5] “Metromix”, November 25, 2008, accessed April 25, 2011.
• Hahne, Jeff “Keeping it Simplified” [6] “Creative Loafing”, November 4, 2008, accessed April 25, 2011.
• Schlehuber, Ryan “Chris Sheridan returns home to St. Ignace with North Carolina rock band” [7] “The St. Ignace News”, August 24, 2006, accessed April 25, 2011.

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