Chimestone

Chimestone is an American pop and rock band from Seattle, Washington. Since its formation in 1992, the group has released 2 studio albums, both independently released on their own Number One Grandpa label. Chimestone briefly disbanded during the late 90’s but overwhelming response to their music being shared via social media and popularity on iTunes inspired there current reunited lineup.

Chimestone’s debut release “Just For Grins” was the first independent release recorded at Seattle’s legendary Bad Animals studio to sell more than 15,000 copies without promotion from a major label. Marco Collins (The Glamour & The Squalor), then a DJ at Seattle’s KNDD (107.7 FM), also known as "107.7 The End", was the first to play Chimestone’s music. The single “Stolen View” debuted on the Sunday 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 Flaming Lips, The Young Fresh Fellows, and The Ocean Blue.

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.

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.

Chimestone is currently writing and recording demos for an upcoming EP scheduled for release in 2017.