SMILE EMPTY SOUL Band smiling despite difficulties

Smile Empty Soul's record label fell apart shortlybefore a planned release.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Smile Empty Soul's Ryan Martin remembers the last time his band played The Cellar in Struthers.
It was May 2003, and the California outfit was celebrating the release of its then brand-new self-titled debut, which had hit music stores earlier that same day. The future seemed limitless, and the vibe was positive.
Unfortunately, today the three-piece is in survival mode, still kicking out post-grunge music with reckless abandon but now reeling and dealing from its major record label experience. Yet another victim of bad timing in the music industry, Smile Empty Soul was gearing up for the summer 2005 release of its sophomore album "Anxiety" on Lava Records when the label started to implode. People were fired, and all of a sudden, its album was pushed back. Now, it may never see the light of day.
"Even though all of this stuff is going on with the label, we know it's for the best because we didn't feel like Lava ever really had our back," said Martin, calling from a tour stop in Tulsa, Okla. "We're going to be moving forward, and it's a positive note because we're at the point in our careers where we're ready for change that we might not necessarily have been able to do having stayed at Lava Records."
Anxious to start anew
Martin said the band remains positive. The bassist is excited about the new material singer-guitarist Sean Danielsen has been writing, and the group may add another guitarist to round out its sound.
As for "Anxiety," Martin doesn't think the album, which the band is giving away at its shows, will be released in its current form. New songs such as "California's Lonely" and "Bright Side," which get stage time during the band's current tour, may survive, but for the most part, Smile Empty Soul is looking to start anew. Once finished with its current tour, which includes a Tuesday return to The Cellar, the outfit will seek a new label (Martin said they've already have been approached) and quickly record a new album.
"I'm thinking it's going to be heavier, tighter," Martin said. "I can't even explain it. I'm honestly so excited about working again and getting back in the rehearsal studio and just to start jamming everything out. It's going to be different, but it's going to be in the same vein."
As for its upcoming set, fans should expect material from both albums and even a surprise cover of Sarah McLachlan's "Possession." Not to stereotype anyone, but odds are the crowd attending the Smile Empty Soul show won't necessarily be familiar with the Canadian chanteuse. "Usually, they don't know it, but it gets a good response," Martin laughed. The bassist said he's really looking forward to the upcoming Youngstown date because of opening act Halestorm, which he has heard is "sick." Naturally, in rock lingo, sick means dope, er, amazing.
"Last time we played The Cellar, that was a fun-ass show," Martin said. "But I think this time around will be even crazier."