Spectre, Eloign, Ghost, Umbra - only a few words that begin to describe the core of North America's newest symphonic progressive band, Spectre. Founded by drummer, Brian "Weapon" Smith, Spectre has been compared to classic groups such as Styx, ELP, Yes, Rush, and Genesis, but described as a “modern version on steroids.” After combining forces with keyboardist Bob Sundgren and Soundscape guitar virtuoso Todd Rose, they based their foundation on writing good songs with excellent musicianship and some Hollywood-style theatrics to boot. If you are into three chord bar bands, we suggest you leave now! Spectre's music is written so the complexity is heard without the song content being compromised. The songs have a story and twenty-minute musical tangents are banned. However, musicians will not be bored with Spectre's excellent arrangements and musical abilities. "There is a point to our complexity, but not the point of being ridiculous for the sake of being ridiculous," comments Merlin Sundgren. "We like to play many scales, but only if it compliments and enhances our music. I think seeing how Brian and Todd have come from progressive backgrounds, they have both matured and learned how to do progressive tastefully at this point in their careers." Hold on to your seats because these guys exhibit high-energy chops and fun Hollywood-style, Sci-Fi song content! Is this X-files meets progressive music? You decide... THE SPEC-FILES: TODD ROSE Guitarist/Spectre Graphic Design web: www.toddrose.net e-mail: todd@toddrose.net Citing influences such as Greg Howe, Tony MacAlpine, and Shawn Lane, Todd Rose is a 34-year-old guitarist who has performed extensively throughout the tri-state area and northeast with the CT-based progressive-rock band SOUNDSCAPE. He has opened for artists such as "King..s X", "Fates Warning", and "Echolyn", as well as at various progressive-rock and progressive-metal festivals. By 1999, Todd had recorded five CDs including two full length CDs with SOUNDSCAPE: "Discovery"(1997), and "Grave New World"(1998). Todd has also been active in other areas of the music industry as an endorser and clinician for "Brian Moore Custom Guitars" and has appeared and performed at music trade shows such as NAMM in Los Angeles, CA and in Nashville, TN. Todd has appeared in dozens of music publications including a full-page, full-color advertisement in "20th Century Guitar" Magazine for Brian Moore Guitars. Also during that year, Todd appeared in their 1998 "Artist-User" catalog along side world-renowned guitarists Al Pitrelli, Russ Freemen, Clint Black, and John Goodsall. Todd has also studied advanced improvisation with internationally acclaimed fusion guitarist Greg Howe and is currently working on his first instrumental solo cd. "We soon realized that Todd Rose was the only guy for the job. This guy lives and breathes guitar and that was what Spectre needed. Playing intense progressive is a lot of work, and Todd is right at home in this element. He is the type of guy who can breathe fire into any song he plays on. Certainly his playing on Dreamland will retain him as a force to be reckoned with in the guitar community." -Brian Weapon BRIAN "THE WEAPON" SMITH Drummer/Producer/Songwriter e-mail: spectreusa@aol.com Born at the dawn of the 70's era, Brian James Smith has gotten a reputation for his high, explosive, power-drumming and insane barehanded drum solos. It is this style that earned Brian the nickname, "The Weapon." As well as drumming, Brian has become known for his song writing, engineering and producing. In the late 80's a very young "Weapon" hit the clubs for his first tour of duty with the popular New England band, Via Satellite, a progressive, power pop band. His professional career began with an unpleasant stint with a major recording label who on learning of Brian's cancer released him. "It was a terrible time. I lost everything to cancer and my job because I asked for a two week leave of absence to be with someone else who also was dying of cancer.The music industry is so cold and all about money. I wish I could change the greed and the power side of the industry but that isn't very realistic. I really just enjoy the music side, and will always give 100% to my first love...music." Brian also became a well respected studio drummer in New York and the surrounding Tri-State region. He has recorded everything from commercials to strange movie soundtracks, often times filling in for other well-known drummers. The early 90's were good to Brian as he took home the gold two years in a row for the title of Boston's Best Power Drummer and to his credit he also was the North American East Coast Power drummer runner up. In 1992 he was given the best new power drummer award by Beat N'Drum magazine of France for his original performance of "Mindscape." In the 90's, "The Weapon" became ill with a rare type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma type cancer of the stomach pelvis area. Being told to have upwards of only 4 months of life left and entering this difficult phase of his life, Brian soon questioned his very existence. "Where do we come from? Why are we here? Undergoing my treatments I had visions of angels and ghostlike figures flying with me about the earth." With his new perception on life, Brian promised himself that if he overcame cancer he would go back to his roots, his love of music. Besides dying was not an option ever for Brian he had only just begun his musical journey. " You always want to prove the medical society wrong so I did!" He then decided to form a new group by the name of SPECTRE, (which means "ghost" or "apparition"). One thing Brian knew was that Spectre would become a band that exuded meaning. "With Spectre members Bob a.k.a. "Merlin" and new guitarist Todd Rose, I have come full circle realizing that music is all about passion, happiness and giving. We simply play for the love of music!" Brian request's that people please give to the Cancer fund and Make a Wish foundation. He believes every human can make a difference and that tragedy only makes us all better people." Music can be love if used correctly. I seem to try to find my answers in music as it will never lie because it is from the heart and soul." BOB SUNDGREN Keyboardist/Vocals/Songwriter Bob Sundgren is the man behind the keys of Spectre. Also known as "Merlin Bobarochi", Bob has a little more than twinkle dust under his fingers. With over twenty-five years of piano, songwriting, and performing experience, Bob has been involved in many areas of music throughout his life. His major influences over the years have been groups such as YES, ELP (Emerson, Lake, and Palmer), STYX, and GENESIS. After high school, Bob attended the Hartt School of Music in Connecticut, further enhancing his study of piano and compositions. He continued to compose and write his own music, but due to his love of performing, he needed to start playing out again. Throughout his travels, Bob became involved with quite a few bands, most recently with his nephew Rock. After mentioning that the two were considering recording a demo with their band, "Jaded CITY" to their good friend Doug Faye, they were directed to Brian Weapon at Rainforest Productions. The rest is history.