The Why Store
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| The Why Store | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Muncie, Indiana, United States |
| Genre(s) | Rock |
| Years active | c. 1988—2000, 2005, 2007-present |
| Members | |
| Chris Shaffer | |
The Why Store was formed in the late 1980s in Muncie, Indiana, when bassist Greg Gardner and guitarist Michael David Smith, both Ball State University students, met up with Indianapolis drummer Graig Adams. After being joined a couple months later by lead singer Chris Shaffer, also a Ball State student, the band played a few gigs as Emerald City. Adams left Emerald City in 1991 and was replaced by drummer Charlie Bushor in 1992. That same year, the band switched to its present name, The Why Store, the name of a former Muncie haberdashery.
In 1993, the band independently recorded Welcome to the Why Store. One year later the band recorded Inside the Why Store. Both albums were locally successful, and The Why Store began getting attention from record labels. At this time, touring keyboard player Jeff Pedersen was made an official member of the group, and in 1995 The Why Store signed to MCA's subsidiary Way Cool Music for their first major-label effort, a self-titled LP, which was released in 1996.
The song, Lack of Water, the band's most successful single, received steady airplay on Alternative Radio leading to an appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien in 1997. The band released Two Beasts in June 1998, and in 1999 released the double-disc concert set Live at Midnight.
The Why Store split up in 2000 citing creative differences, though each member has continued onto different projects, most notably Shaffer who has recorded several solo disks as well as recording with his first post-Why Store band, Shaffer Street.
The band reunited in April 2005 to play a handful of reunions shows, which were well received by fans and critics alike. The band played their last gig together on December 31st, 2005 before separating again due to artistic differences.
In 2007 former Why Store frontman Chris Shaffer resurrected the band name, billing his own group first as "Chris Shaffer's Why Store," then simply as "The Why Store" at various venues around the region. Check out www.chrisshaffer.com for more information.
[edit] Members
- Chris Shaffer - Lead Vocals/Guitar (1988 - Present)
- Michael David Smith - Guitar (1988 - 2005)
- Greg Gardner - Bass/Background Vocals (1988 - 2005)
- Charlie Bushor - Drums (1992 - 2005)
- Jeff Pedersen - Keyboards (1994 - 2005)
- Chris Taylor- Drummer (Present)
- Dan Hunt - Bass (Present)
- Benito DiBartoli - Guitar (Present)
