Charade

Charade is a melodic rock rock formed in the summer of 2003 by five mutual friends after the disbanding of First Class and Slow Jazz Music. Guitarist Ryan Lee and drummer BIlly Webb had came up with the idea of a more experimental band after playing pop punk had become stale. They invited bassist Kipp Bender to jam a couple of times to see if anything could mesh, but it wasn't until after their first show at the Bear Trap for things to take off.

After that first performance the band invited vocalist Frank Armstrong and guitarist Joshua Stokes of the band Slow Jazz Music to come and see what could be created. Frank Armstrong had been drummer for the hardcore band The Redemption Song and brought the idea of playing music with a heavier edge to it while still being melodic. Citing influences from Fairweather, Saves the Day, and Thrice the band began writing the first four songs that would become the Harmony is Dead e.p. Recorded on a cold winter nights in a barn completely by the bands self these songs are a testament to the original idea of the band. After the initial pressing of the Harmony is Dead e.p. the band continued to play more and more shows and become more experienced. The power of their live show was what drew crowds in from surrounding areas and word of mouth quickly spread about Charade and the legendary Bear Trap. After several successful shows in Kentucky and Tennessee the band holed up in bassist Kipp Bender's apartment with friend/producer Dain Shoaf to record The Answers We Are Lacking... Spending more time on this recording and armed with a new array of songs and improved arrangement on the previous ones, the band began to develop a heavier sound but with still more emphasis on melodic arrangement. The band finally seemed to be hitting its stride until personal problems saw original guitarist Joshua Stokes leave the band. That is when the band asked guitar tech Brett Bond to join. After a few shows the band was once again in turmoil and saw the departure of vocalist Frank Armstrong and bassist Kipp Bender. After a short hiatus the band re-emerged with new members bassist Daniel Ellis of the band Calico Jack and Jason Lee of the band Forty Miles to Paris. The band began writing new songs and signed to the Second Chance records, an indie label out of Florida. They also embarked on two successful tours up and down the east coast and recorded the follow up e.p. Damn it Queen. The band improved with better production and working with an actual producer. They continued to play shows supporting the release until going on an indefinate hiatus somewhere between 2005 and 2006. That is until now with some of the original members back in contact and talking of a possible reunion at least for one night just to let the good times roll again. More updates soon