The last band to be signed by the legendary Greg Shaw to his Bomp! Records label before he passed, the Dreadful Yawns had a unique way of dealing with success. On the heels of the release of their critically acclaimed S/T LP, the Yawns broke up, leaving frontman Ben Gmetro with a new album "Rest" completed for Exit… Read moreShow less
The last band to be signed by the legendary Greg Shaw to his Bomp! Records label before he passed, the Dreadful Yawns had a unique way of dealing with success. On the heels of the release of their critically acclaimed S/T LP, the Yawns broke up, leaving frontman Ben Gmetro with a new album "Rest" completed for Exit Stencil Recordings, but no band. Despite encouragement to put the Yawns to sleep, Ben decided to start over and rebuild the band from the bottom up. After nearly six months locked in the Davenport Collective space known as The Spot, a very different band emerged. A classically trained violinist and church organist, a L.A. recording studio manager and session drummer, a performing arts major and theater vocalist, not to mention former Yawns manager/booking agent and neophyte guitarist soon found their way into the fold.
With "Rest", their first of two records for Cleveland based indie imprint Exit Stencil, the Yawns have begun to leave behind their flirtation with Byrds inspired country-rock experimentation. In its stead the Dreadful Yawns' live show has been dosed with the Velvets, Bedhead, and Television.
They released their final LP "Picnic" in 2010, also on Exit Stencil Records. Leader Ben Gmetro continues to teach and perform.
