The Randy Ellefson band started in 1993 when I first started writing guitar instrumentals. For many reasons, including college, tendonitis, and the apparent death of rock music in the United States, I didn't try to start a music career until June 2004, when the debut album, The Firebard, was independently released.
Along with good reviews and press, I was endorsed by Peavey in the Autumn of 2004 as I decided to form a live band. In November, drummer Jeff Moos came aboard as work started on the second album, Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid. By March of 2005, bassist Charlie Emmons and then guitarist Tony Dormio joined the band just as I received a second endorsement from Alvarez Guitars. In the meantime, I had been regularly publishing articles at various guitar sites.
The band's first show ever was on October 13th, 2005 at the Grog and Tankard in Washington D.C. and yielded several concert videos. Other gigs followed, including at the Firehouse Cue, Velvet Lounge, Mac's The Club, and Fish Head Cantina. Just as things were picking up, Charlie moved away in January 2006, followed by Tony in April. The only good news was that I earned my third endorsement with Morley Pedals.
With the live band in disarray again, I decided to put the finishing touches on the second album. Jeff and I descended on High View Studios in Baltimore in July 2006, accompanied by session bassist Dave DeMarco. Just weeks later, bassist Ron Kralik joined the live band as recording continued. I was also invited to perform in the local All Star Jam in October in Baltimore Maryland.
By November, all album tracks were recorded, and mixing started in December, when guitarist James Goetz also joined the band. Due to budget reasons, mixing continued sporadically until May 2007 as I also did the artwork myself. The new CD was released in July 2007.
An avid acoustic guitarist, I'm already hard at work on another CD, writing and recording demos for an all acoustic album.