The band of the week is Stripline www.myspace.com/stripline Stripline is the product of many different influences culminating into one band. All of the members come from different walks of life and together they are takin it upon themselves to create some jams ya'll will wanna crank up with the windows down!
Marcus Cushway - Guitar Marcus first picked up a guitar at the age of 14 while living in Oak harbor, WA. His neighbors had a jam space at their house and started to teach him how to play along to his favorite bands like Black Sabbath and Motley Crue. He began to hone his skills and in 1991 moved to Seattle and joined local bands Vision House and Dead Pilot. After the time in those bands were over Marcus focused on another passion of his, freestyle Motocross. He enjoyed riding for years until a tragic accident prevented him from riding at the level that he had grown a custom to. After that Marcus returned his attention to music and by a chance meeting with Craig Beardsley they started the seed of what is now Stripline.
Jesse Smith - Drums
Jesse was first bitten by the drum bug after watching Jeff Porcaro of Toto play 5 nights in a row. On his 9th birthday he was given drum lessons by his aunt, which he eventually quit because he "wanted to play drums not a rubber pad". By the age of 17, he was deep into the drum world. His first band, 7th Thunder, played numerous events around the island of Kauai in Hawaii. At the age of 20, Jesse moved to Seattle and immersed himself in the booming music scene. A member of many Seattle bands such as 7th Stranger, Indika, Anthony Lee, Transfer of Souls, Bold Face Lie, Underride and most notably Saqqara, he opened many national act shows. While in Saqqara he accumulated endorsements with major drum manufacturers such as Aquarian Drumheads, Slug Percussion Products, Sabian Cymbals and Kittools Sticks. Jesse still proudly endorses Aquarian (heads), Slug (bass drum pads and beaters) and Kingfield Wood (formerly Kittoools) (drum sticks). Currently, Jesse plays his trade on Ludwig Maple Classic drums, Dunnett, Tempus, Ludwig, Emerald and J. James Custom snares, Paiste Cymbals, DW and Pearl hardware and Sonor Pedals.
James Weddle - Vocals
James has formerly fronted Bold Face Lie and Custom, his skill for creating melody and being a rock n' roll frontman is among the best and he never ceases to amaze.
Craig Beardsley- Bass
Craig started playing at 17 in Ventura, Ca. Honestly, music was in my soul from as far back as I can remember. My 1st grade teacher would reward students, by letting them go chill out and listen to tunes while he got the rest of the class up to speed. He got it....so do I! I played in many bands in Cali that didn't do a lot! I moved here 7 yrs ago. One day at the gym, I met Marcus. We became friends, later met Jesse and Stripline was born. I was initially the 2nd guitar player, but went to bass per necessity and enjoy the hell out of it now. I have the ability to play bass w/ my fingers, but always use a pick for Stripline songs, as they call for very precise attack!! I play through a Gibson/Tobias bass as my main bass and a Jackson bass. My amp is an SWR 400 watt Workingman's amp...through a GK 4X10 cab and a GK 1X15 cab. Hope to see all of my friends soon, as we shake up the place for ya !! :)xo
