Smile Empty Soul was a heavy alternative trio formed while its three members were still in Santa Clarita, CA, high schools. Led by singer/guitarist Sean Danielson, the band also included drummer Derek Gledhill and ba**ist Ryan Martin. After honing their sound with numerous hometown gigs, Smile Empty Soul began venturing to the Sunset Strip, and eventually pa**ed a demo to Todd Parker of the Los Angeles indie ThroBack. That exposure led to a deal with Jason Flom's Lava imprint, which was expanding in the wake of early signee Kid Rock's white-hot success. The trio hooked up with producer John Lewis Parker, who was at the helm for their self-titled debut, issued by Lava in May 2003. With its screeching guitars and Danielson's rage-filled vocals, the album was indebted to the alternative sounds of the early '90s. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide