Produced by 3X Dove Award-winner, Masaki Liu (Moby, Switchfoot, Matisyahu, Five Iron Frenzy), Griswald's debut album, The Goods, catches you off-guard. For starters, it sounds a lot more like a major-label production than an indie. But it's the diversity of moods and styles captured on this band's first endeavor that does the surprising. From the insightful vocals, happy melodies, and pulsing rhythms of the title track, the theme of the album is set. From there, comes a commanding mix of musicianship and rebelliousness with "Sign of the Times," "Phoddey Wadda," and "Drop." The recording then steers toward provocative and anthemic, but remains a consistent genre-blender with "Drone," "Timeline Superhighway," "Plastic," and "Lotus." The group then cements their passion for dynamics and concludes powerfully with the ethereal, "Stranger Somewhere." From urging you to transcend the mundane, to hinting you simply smile and take a look around, The Goods spans the spectrum and moves closer to The Greats. (A fun side note: Joe Satriani drummer, Jeff Campitelli, provides a guest appearance on percussion to congratulate his former drum student.) Rovi Bio: Originally under the moniker of Clark W. Griswald before a copyright lawsuit forced a name change, the lineup of Sean Adams (bass), Darren Bruestle (guitar/vocals), Tim Reeves (drums/percussion), Chris Sweet (guitar), and Charlie Schonwasser (vocals) shortened their name simply to Griswald in 2001. But before then, the quintet would play their array of ska, funk, and reggae throughout their native of Chico, CA, before signing to Half Pint Records in 2000. As a result, Griswald's debut full-length, The Goods, came out the following year. ~ Mike DaRonco, Rovi Artist Bio: Formed in 1998 in Chico, CA, as Clark W. Griswald by Darren Bruestle (guitar/vocals), Sean Adams (bass), and Tim Reeves (drums), the trio played nonstop backyard parties, attracting Charlie Schonwasser (vocals) and Chris Sweet (guitar). Performing for their first time ever with their new lineup, Clark W. Griswald won the '98 Chico State University Battle of the Bands. The momentum that followed (voted top 20 in the nation & featured on "IUMA's Best of College Music 2000" Compilation, performing with Buck-O-Nine, Save Ferris, Pressure 4-5, and Slightly Stoopid, and developing a devoted and vocal fan base) grabbed the attention of Half Pint Records in Santa Cruz, CA, who signed the band and funded their debut album, The Goods (Jan-Feb, 2001). The only snag that impeded the album's swift release was a cease-and-desist memo from Warner Bros. Legal, ordering the band to drop the "Clark W." from their name. The newly-dubbed, Griswald's, debut-CD-release party (May, 2001) sold out immediately, and the band was encouraged by Chico's KFM Radio to enter an upcoming regional battle of the bands. Griswald won that contest, as well, securing the opening slot for Aerosmith and Fuel at the Sleep Train Amphitheater in Sacramento, CA (Aug, 2001). Interest from Linkin Park's production team and a proposed management deal followed, and the band prepared a move to Los Angeles and its first major promotional tour of The Goods. The sudden departure of vocalist, Schonwasser, in early 2002 halted any tours and album promotions and relocated the band instead to the San Francisco Bay Area, where their label held auditions, adding Craig McMath from Toronto as the new vocalist (Jan, 2003). The new lineup resumed touring the west coast relentlessly across 2003 and 2004 in support of The Goods, along with bands, such as Sugarcult, Zebrahead, Sprung Monkey, Scapegoat Wax, and Lavish Green and gathered Framus Guitars, Warwick Basses, GHS Strings, Mesa/Boogie Amps, 70six.com and Santa Cruz (Built) Surf clothing endorsements along the way. Griswald released a 3-song EP, The New Sh&! (Nov, 2003), and finished writing their 2nd album. That album was never released, however, and Griswald parted as friends in Fall, 2004. Bruestle and Reeves continued musical pursuits in Southern California, while the other members remained in NorCal. Bruestle toured and recorded with Oliver Pigott, Southbase, Mystic Roots, and Pato Banton until 2008 and most recently produces. Reeves most recently performs in the Los Angeles area. McMath most recently performs in the San Francisco Bay Area. The original lineup continues to hold reunion shows when requested (most recently in Chico, CA, 2007 & 2009).