Shaimus was a five member alternative/pop rock band from Boston, Massachusetts. Formed in 2004, it's members were Phil Beaudreau (lead vocals, keys), Evan Brown (lead guitar, vocals), Cam Brousseau (drums, percussion), Dave Middleton (guitar), and Johannes Raassina (bass). While attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston, the quintet immediately began locking in with each other musically and soon began work on their debut album. Partway through the hasty recording process, their song "All Of This" was licensed by a little known company called Harmonix to be in a quirky new game called Guitar Hero.
In 2005, Guitar Hero exploded into a burgeoning pop culture phenomenon and left the band with an unexpected demand for their first single and its accompanying album. With increasing demand, the band's first album "Paper Sun" was self-released in February 2006 and was met with a positive response: thousands of CDs sold, tens of thousands of iTunes sales, multiple five-star reviews, licensing for MTV Networks, an invitation to perform at the E3 video game convention, and radio play on mainstream, indie and satellite radio. All without the assistance of a record label.
A 2006 tour would soon follow, during which the band honed their sound, songwriting process, and performance chops. Their live shows, marked by energy, unadulterated volume, ripping guitar solos, and sweat-drenched wristbands became the band's trademark and led to a win at B.B. King's Battle of the Bands in Universal City and a 7-month residency in an LA rock club.
In 2008, with a bevy of new songs that exemplified the newly refined Shaimus style and a steady demand from their fans, the band realized it was time to record a new album. Shaimus painstakingly crafted a follow-up that would define the sound of a band coming into its own: 2009's "The Sad Thing Is, We Like It Here", a album of songs that showcased the band's knack for memorable hooks, soulful vocals, and intricate-yet-somehow-tasteful playing.
After the album's release, the now Los-Angeles-based rock band's song "Like a Fool" lit a fire under plastic instrument-wielding rockers everywhere as a free download for Rock Band 2. In 2009, the songs "Tie You Down" and "Let Go" were also featured in the film "The Roommate", as well as on screen appearances for three of the band members.
After the departure of guitarist Dave Middleton in 2009, Lou Beaudreau joined the band, and with the help of producer Brian Fennell (of the band Barcelona), Shaimus' creativity was focused to find a sound for their newest album. In 2012 Shaimus released their self-titled third album "Shaimus".
However, every beginning has an end, and that year was the culmination of the band's journey. After eight years of being in the limelight, the members of Shaimus amicably disbanded and went their separate ways.
