Soda Creek

ABOUT

Soda Creek is a three piece band from Dunsmuir, CA currently performing in Siskiyou and Shasta Counties.

As a trio that fits anywhere both in size and genre we provide a full band sound ranging from soft acoustic music (great for dinner sets) to blues and good ol' Rock and Roll. Our equipment is the highest professional quality for excellent sound at any volume so patrons can enjoy their dinner, conversation and music all at the same time. We supply our own sound top of the line sound system as well.

We are available for clubs, private parties and outdoor events.

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BIOGRAPHY

Combining the mad guitar playing skills of Carl Schwindeman and the dulcet tones of Michael Smith, Soda Creek has been together for about three years. Their newest member, drummer Ben Helms, has recently joined the band, adding a solid backbone to their rhythm.

More about the members of Soda Creek...

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Carl Schwindeman: Lead Guitar and Background Vocals

Carl began playing guitar at age 12 and in his first performing band at 14. By 18 he was playing live performances as a solid side man for large acts in the Bay Area. He continued performing until 1980 when he joined the David Crosby Band (former Crosby Stills and Nash lead Singer and guitarist) and toured for three years.

He moved to Mount Shasta in 1996, started a home recording studio, and now plays local gigs living in Dunsmuir.

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Michael Smith: Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar

Michael started as a trumpet player at age 12 and went on to graduate from the Naval School of Music playing with the Army Command Bands in Arlington and Hawaii. He then played professionally in the New York market for 12 years as a Lead Singer and Guitarist. He left the professional music scene to work in the corporate world for 30 years. He returned to playing professionally nine years ago in San Francisco, playing corporate events and company parties in an acoustic duo.

Retiring to Dunsmuir in 2009, Smith began playing with Schwindeman, and they have spent the last two years preparing they’re Acoustic/Electric 12 String Band.

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Ben Helms: Percussion

Growing up in the Bay Area, Ben learned drums from several professional drummers in Marin County, CA. He played in his high school's touring jazz band, as well as his personal band, Left For Dead, touring all over the North Bay. In college, he learned to read music within his music major, which opened up a whole new world of possibilities within percussion. As a drummer, Ben likes to think that he is influenced by every genre, but most of the time relies on good ol' fashioned rock.

Biggest drum influences: Mike Marsh (Dashboard Confessional), Zach Lind (Jimmy Eat World), & Braddigan (Dispatch).