THE GRAMS

WINNERS! 2007 & 2006 SAN DIEGO MUSIC AWARDS.
THE GRAMS are a group of musicians featuring three locally acclaimed vituosos. There's singer/songwriter Chuck Schiele - of whom reviewers are frequently prompted to write that, “when he sings about soul, you know he has one."” And, Craig Yerkes, one of the hottest, most revered lead guitar players in southern California - delivering one gorgeously fierce solo after another. At the age of 14 Guitar Player Magazine was quoted as saying that Craig was playing like a "seasoned pro in jazz, rock, funk and country styles" with no excuses. In San Diego is the guitar player's player. Sweet Elise is the exotic beauty who reinvents classical violin by way of experimentation and signal processing. Bart Mendoza of the San Diego Reader and SD Music Matters publications said that she was the defining element in the Grams' sound. The result is a LOT of music for three people.

The Grams have been wowing audiences all over Southern California, playing everywhere. clubs, festivals, coffeehouses, television, FM radio, Internet radio, you name it, they're busy. The Grams. the Grams havehit the road as well, playing The annual Halloween Parade Festival in NYC/ Greenwich Village. The Grams have tour plans in 2008 including the southern regions along with east and west coast treks.

Schiele had been nominated in 2004 for Best Acoustic Artist with the Gandhi Method. Third time is a charm as this year saw The Grams take home their SDMA award again in the Best Americana Group category! The artists are nominated by the Awards comamitee and foundation members and the voting is open to the public along with the Awards committee so it is an accurate representation of the people's choice as well. Further both Chuck Schiele & Craig Yerkes contribute as music writers in the San Diego Music Scene.

Together, The Grams begin with a pop, rock, Americana and world music approach to songwriting. Equal parts orchestration/ improvisation. With the overt use of only 2 acoustic guitars - in a variety of virtuosic styles and situations - along with the effects-driven "space" violin, they create a heady blend unique unto themselves. This style is not only melodic, but very, very rhythmic. "Hitting” the guitar is part of the fun in The Grams. Whether they are covering tunes out of context, or writing instrumentals based on ancient Persian themes, or just rockin' out - it all comes together in a way that is unique, interesting and fun.

DISCOGRAPHY

The Grams released 2nd CD, APRIL 28, 2006

The Grams, released self-titled CD, 2006

The Grams, released "Merry Christmas, Baby," 2007

Staring at the Sun Vol VI -
A Compilation of San Diego Music, 2008

Staring at the Sun Vol V -
A Compilation of San Diego Music, 2007

Several tracks from the Grams debut CD can be heard on various radio & internet radio stations, worldwide.