Simplified (band)

Simplified is a North American rock, island vibe, and reggae rock band based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Simplified
OriginCharlotte, North Carolina, United States
GenresRock, reggae fusion, roots rock
Years active2002–present
LabelsSmile High Entertainment
Websitewww.simplifiedmusic.com
MembersChris Sheridan
Clee Laster

History

Chris Sheridan and Clee Laster met at local pub while Sheridan was bartending and Laster was performing as a solo artist at the Charlotte, North Carolina Uptown venue formerly known as The Graduate. The two formed an acoustic duo and began performing concerts known as Simplified in and around the city in 2002. In 2004, Sheridan and Clee auditioned band members, adding a bassist and drummer creating a quartet. Simplified began touring regionally in the Southeast United States in 2005.[1] The band toured the United States nationally[2] and performing shows internationally in North and occasionally in Central America. According to PANDORA Radio statistics, Simplified is rated one of the highest-level independent artists in the world with the 2006 song from the Smile album "Wake 'n Bake". With the release of Elephant Sky in 2008, Simplified went to more of a pop style.[3] Between 2010 and 2013, Sheridan and Laster reinvented Simplified, bringing back the island rock sound they are known for, and also hired a variety of musicians to accompany them on the road and in the studio. Their song "Gettin' Home" was featured on the soundtrack of NASCAR The Game: Inside Line,[4] and five years later with new developers, NASCAR Heat 2.[5] In summer 2014, the band released their fourth studio album #WAKENBAKENATION which includes a recut studio version of the single "Wake N Bake" featuring an added horn section and a new gospel-style intro. In 2019,their 2011 song "Long Time Ago" was featured in NASCAR Heat 4.

Members

Founding members

Charitable endeavors and other appearances

Simplified is an ambassador to Michael Franti's Do It For the Love Foundation.

Discography
Studio albums
  • ACT 1 (2005)
  • Smile (2006)
  • Elephant Sky (2008)
  • Brighter Days (2011)
  • #WakeNBakeNation (2014)

References
  1. Hahne, Jeff. "Keeping it Simplified". Creative Loafing Charlotte. Retrieved 2017-02-17.
  2. "Chris Sheridan Returns Home to St. Ignace With North Carolina Rock Band | www.stignacenews.com | St. Ignace News". Archived from the original on 2017-02-18. Retrieved 2017-02-17.
  3. Hahne, Jeff. "CD REVIEW: Simplified's Brighter Days". Creative Loafing Charlotte. Retrieved 2017-02-17.
  4. "NASCAR The Game: Inside Line soundtrack - NFSSoundtrack". nfssoundtrack.com. Retrieved 2017-02-17.
  5. "NASCAR HEAT 2 Soundtrack, a playlist by diecastseries on Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved 2017-09-20.

Sources
  • Wildsmith, Steve, "Simplified puts it's [sic] name to work for its rock 'n' roll" The Daily Times, March 30, 2011, accessed April 25, 2011.
  • Devores, Courtney, "Local Flavor: A Hometown Act Worth Watching", The Charlotte Observer, April 15, 2011, accessed April 25, 2011.
  • Hahne, Jeff "CD Review: Simplified's Brighter Days" "Creative Loafing", April 12, 2011, accessed April 25, 2011.
  • Augustine, Dianna "Interview: Simplified" Shutter 16 Magazine, September 11, 2009, accessed April 25, 2011.
  • Wake, Matt "Clee Speaks" "Metromix", November 25, 2008, accessed April 25, 2011.
  • Hahne, Jeff, "Keeping it Simplified", Creative Loafing, November 4, 2008, accessed April 25, 2011.
  • Schlehuber, Ryan, "Chris Sheridan returns home to St. Ignace with North Carolina rock band", The St. Ignace News, August 24, 2006, accessed April 25, 2011.
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