Edward Shimborske III
Encyclopedia
Edward Shimborske III is an American record executive, music producer, singer/songwriter, graphic artist, journalist/author, radio personality, lyricist and voice-over artist. Shimborske, noted for creating Sin Klub Entertainment
in 1992, is perhaps better known for his work with the celebrated industrial-metal duo the Thessalonian Dope Gods
, which also features Warren, Ohio native Randy K. Wilson.
, Ohio
, Shimborske’s parents are both former high-school teachers; his father being a published artist and his mother a published photographer. His brother, Micah Shimborske, is a guitarist and songwriter with The PB Army (formerly of Chicken Dog). Shimborske graduated from Warren G. Harding High School
in Warren, where he was awarded two Gold Keys in art, and later attended the University of Toledo
, where he served as a radio personality, a journalist and a music-director for WXUT. He currently resides in Ottawa Hills, Ohio, with his wife and four children.
Upon earning his BA in English, he was awarded a scholarship for his Honor’s Thesis and began work on a Master’s Degree while juggling his musical endeavors. Eventually, he began instructing Composition, Creative Writing, film-related courses and Humanities at both the University of Toledo
and Owens Community College
(with a brief stint as the Education Director for Sylvania Community Services). He currently instructs at Owens and is independently contracted by various organizations regarding online business.
, a monthly music and entertainment magazine that lasted well into 2006. Like a counter-culture version of Entertainment Weekly, Shimborske’s highly praised ‘zine featured lengthy interviews with musicians, novelists, actors, adult-film stars, boxers, directors, rappers, professional wrestlers, models and witches. Readers were never surprised to find pieces on Zamboni-drivers next to reflections from cast-members of the Wizard of Oz. In fact, the small publishing house printed pieces on everyone from Ozzy Osbourne
and Vincent Bugliosi
to Kid Gavilán
and Catherine Bach
to Rudy Ray Moore
and Bernie Wrightson
. Shimborske’s work also appeared in national publications like Gig Magazine, Cornerstone, the College Music Journal
, and Cultcuts.
where he met Michael Seday. The two formed Sin Klub Entertainment and began issuing a series of critically acclaimed releases from regional favorites like Environmental Hazzard (Cleveland), Section 315 (Pittsburgh), False Face Society (Toledo), The Vagiants (Winnipeg), Bleed For Me (Buffalo), Chicken Dog (Toledo), Dead Heroes (Detroit), Geminus Sect (Hickory, NC), Crashdog
(Chicago), and Five Horse Johnson
(Toledo). The two entrepreneurs later formed Grappler Unlimited with Cleveland International mogul Steve Popovich
, issuing CDs by Bunie Jambo (Pittsburgh), Porn Flakes (Toledo) and Thieveland (Cleveland) while traveling the world. Never breaking out of the region or merging with a bigger company, Shimborske’s labels remain cult-favorites in the Midwest underground, having graduating many musicians into bigger projects. And while the labels worked with countless promoters, distributors and media-outlets in the tri-State area, the main thrust was Shimborske’s strong work ethic and charismatic personality.
Despite the lack of prominence, Shimborske and his various labels possessed a penchant for working with many major artists at a grassroots level – prior to stardom – and many artists lost in circulation. Through comps, cameos, and production, Shimborske has worked with Kid Rock
, Consolidated
, Dan Hicks
, Neal Fallon (Clutch
), Ron Holzner (Trouble
), Sage Francis
, Nash the Slash
, Gwar
, Damien, Agony Column, Nitzer Ebb
, Barry Henssler (Big Chief
, The Necros), Pro-Pain
, Lucky Boys Confusion
, Bizzy-Bone (of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
), Speedball, Mickey Raphael (Willie Nelson
), Yukmouth
(of Luniz
) and more. At current, after 50+ releases, Sin Klub sits inactive, with Shimborske now using the moniker ‘Good Eye Shimmy’ to issue releases. In addition, Shimborske originated the legendary “All Freaks Ball,” a Halloween-themed tattoo convention that primarily showcased Sin Klub bands.
A longtime music fan with wide-ranging tastes, Shimborske—who was trained on piano, clarinet and guitar—initially became involved in the music scene in the mid-1980s after forming an early version of the Thessalonain Dope Gods with close friend Randy K. Wilson. The group released its debut recording in 1994, appeared on a handful of comps, and has since issued two more full-length recordings. The duo currently own Ape Studios in Toledo and are responsible for several video-game soundtracks (including Spider-Man 2
for Gameboy Advanced), many remixes and recordings by Evolotto, The PB Army, Mobile Death Camp (a Gwar
side-project), and Chrome Helmet.
Sin Klub Entertainment
Sin Klub Entertainment was a Toledo, Ohio based record label owned by Thessalonian Dope Gods vocalist Edward Shimborske III and Michael Seday. The label was created in the 1980s for the purpose of promoting area bands, but evolved into a larger Midwest independent record label...
in 1992, is perhaps better known for his work with the celebrated industrial-metal duo the Thessalonian Dope Gods
Thessalonian Dope Gods
The Thessalonian Dope Gods are an American hard rock group, formed in late 1984 by Warren, Ohio high-school friends Randy "RK" Wilson and Edward Shimborske III / ES3 .-Origin:...
, which also features Warren, Ohio native Randy K. Wilson.
Personal
Born in WarrenWarren, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 46,832 people, 19,288 households and 12,035 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,912.4 people per square mile . There were 21,279 housing units at an average density of 1,322.9 per square mile...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, Shimborske’s parents are both former high-school teachers; his father being a published artist and his mother a published photographer. His brother, Micah Shimborske, is a guitarist and songwriter with The PB Army (formerly of Chicken Dog). Shimborske graduated from Warren G. Harding High School
Warren G. Harding High School
Warren G. Harding High School is a public high school located in Warren, Ohio. It is the only high school in the Warren City Schools district...
in Warren, where he was awarded two Gold Keys in art, and later attended the University of Toledo
University of Toledo
The University of Toledo is a public university in Toledo, Ohio, United States. The Carnegie Foundation classified the university as "Doctoral/Research Extensive."-National recognition:...
, where he served as a radio personality, a journalist and a music-director for WXUT. He currently resides in Ottawa Hills, Ohio, with his wife and four children.
Upon earning his BA in English, he was awarded a scholarship for his Honor’s Thesis and began work on a Master’s Degree while juggling his musical endeavors. Eventually, he began instructing Composition, Creative Writing, film-related courses and Humanities at both the University of Toledo
University of Toledo
The University of Toledo is a public university in Toledo, Ohio, United States. The Carnegie Foundation classified the university as "Doctoral/Research Extensive."-National recognition:...
and Owens Community College
Owens Community College
Owens State Community College is a comprehensive community college with campuses in Toledo and Findlay, Ohio. Owens was founded in 1965 in Toledo, and was chartered in 1967. The Findlay campus was opened in 1983. The college was named for Michael J...
(with a brief stint as the Education Director for Sylvania Community Services). He currently instructs at Owens and is independently contracted by various organizations regarding online business.
Publishing career
In the mid-1990s, after working as a journalist and music-editor for several newspapers, Shimborske began publishing The Glass EyeThe Glass Eye (magazine)
The Glass Eye was an eccentric Toledo, Ohio-based monthly reader/zine published by Edward Shimborske III that focused on Ohio area music and featured exclusive interviews with both regional and national acts. The debut issue hit stands in 1994 and ran until 2006...
, a monthly music and entertainment magazine that lasted well into 2006. Like a counter-culture version of Entertainment Weekly, Shimborske’s highly praised ‘zine featured lengthy interviews with musicians, novelists, actors, adult-film stars, boxers, directors, rappers, professional wrestlers, models and witches. Readers were never surprised to find pieces on Zamboni-drivers next to reflections from cast-members of the Wizard of Oz. In fact, the small publishing house printed pieces on everyone from Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
and Vincent Bugliosi
Vincent Bugliosi
Vincent Bugliosi is an American attorney and author, best known for prosecuting Charles Manson and other defendants accused of the Tate-LaBianca murders. His most recent books are Reclaiming History: The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy , The Prosecution of George W...
to Kid Gavilán
Kid Gavilan
Gerardo González , better known in the boxing world as Kid Gavilan, was a former world welterweight champion from Cuba...
and Catherine Bach
Catherine Bach
Catherine Bach is an American actress. She is known for playing Daisy Duke in the television series The Dukes of Hazzard and Margo Dutton in African Skies.-Career:...
to Rudy Ray Moore
Rudy Ray Moore
Rudy Ray Moore was an American comedian, musician, singer, film actor, and film producer. He was perhaps best known as Dolemite , the uniquely articulate pimp from the 1975 film Dolemite, and its sequel, The Human Tornado...
and Bernie Wrightson
Bernie Wrightson
Bernie "Berni" Wrightson is an American artist known for his horror illustrations and comic books.-Biography:...
. Shimborske’s work also appeared in national publications like Gig Magazine, Cornerstone, the College Music Journal
College Music Journal
College Music Journal, commonly known as CMJ, is a music events/publishing company which hosts an annual festival in New York City, the CMJ Music Marathon, as well as a weekly magazine of and for the music industry and college radio stations in the United States and Canada. It publishes top 30...
, and Cultcuts.
Music career
Though Shimborske’s work in entertainment had already progressed, it was at WXUTWXUT
WXUT is a radio station broadcasting an alternative rock format. Licensed to Toledo, Ohio, USA, the station serves the University of Toledo campus. WXUT shares the 88.3 frequency with WXTS-FM, which broadcasts when WXUT is off the air. The station is currently owned by the University of...
where he met Michael Seday. The two formed Sin Klub Entertainment and began issuing a series of critically acclaimed releases from regional favorites like Environmental Hazzard (Cleveland), Section 315 (Pittsburgh), False Face Society (Toledo), The Vagiants (Winnipeg), Bleed For Me (Buffalo), Chicken Dog (Toledo), Dead Heroes (Detroit), Geminus Sect (Hickory, NC), Crashdog
Crashdog
Crashdog was one of the first Christian punk bands and was active primarily in the early 1990s. Most of their albums were released by Grrr recordS, which has also been home to Headnoise, Resurrection Band, and Glenn Kaiser, among others....
(Chicago), and Five Horse Johnson
Five Horse Johnson
Five Horse Johnson is an American blues-rock band, formed in 1995 from Toledo, Ohio. They have toured with such popular groups as Clutch and Halfway to Gone. The band combines hard rock, blues and other influences into a blend of stoner rock/blues music they call their own...
(Toledo). The two entrepreneurs later formed Grappler Unlimited with Cleveland International mogul Steve Popovich
Steve Popovich
Steve Popovich , was an American record company executive.Popovich was born in Nemacolin, Pennsylvania, and in 1962 started in the warehouse at Columbia Records Cleveland...
, issuing CDs by Bunie Jambo (Pittsburgh), Porn Flakes (Toledo) and Thieveland (Cleveland) while traveling the world. Never breaking out of the region or merging with a bigger company, Shimborske’s labels remain cult-favorites in the Midwest underground, having graduating many musicians into bigger projects. And while the labels worked with countless promoters, distributors and media-outlets in the tri-State area, the main thrust was Shimborske’s strong work ethic and charismatic personality.
Despite the lack of prominence, Shimborske and his various labels possessed a penchant for working with many major artists at a grassroots level – prior to stardom – and many artists lost in circulation. Through comps, cameos, and production, Shimborske has worked with Kid Rock
Kid Rock
Robert James "Bob" Ritchie , known by his stage name Kid Rock, is an American singer-songwriter, musician and rapper with five Grammy Awards nominations...
, Consolidated
Consolidated (band)
Consolidated was an American radical activist recording and performing group, formed in 1988 and best known in the early 1990s as an alternative dance/industrial music band. They were distinguished by left-leaning political activism and politically radical lyrics, as well as their innovative sonic...
, Dan Hicks
Dan Hicks (singer)
Dan Hicks , is an American singer-songwriter working at the intersection of cowboy folk, jazz, country, swing, bluegrass, pop, and gypsy music...
, Neal Fallon (Clutch
Clutch
A clutch is a mechanical device which provides for the transmission of power from one component to another...
), Ron Holzner (Trouble
Trouble (band)
Trouble is an American doom metal band noted as one of the pioneers of their genre, alongside bands such as Candlemass and Saint Vitus. The band created a distinct style taking influences of the British heavy metal bands Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, and psychedelic rock of the 1970s...
), Sage Francis
Sage Francis
Paul "Sage" Francis is a hip-hop artist from Providence, Rhode Island.-Biography:Born Paul Francis in Miami, Florida, Sage Francis is a rapper/writer/performer from Providence, Rhode Island. He is the founder and CEO of the independent hip-hop record label Strange Famous Records...
, Nash the Slash
Nash the Slash
Nash the Slash is a Canadian musician. Though a multi-instrumentalist, he is known primarily for playing electric violin and mandolin, as well as harmonica, keyboards, glockenspiel, and other instruments .Nash worked as a solo artist beginning in 1975, then founded the progressive rock band FM in...
, Gwar
Gwar
Gwar is a satirical heavy metal band formed in Richmond, Virginia, United States, in 1984. The band is best known for its elaborate science fiction/horror film inspired costumes, obscene lyrics and graphic stage performances, which feature humorous enactments of politically and morally taboo...
, Damien, Agony Column, Nitzer Ebb
Nitzer Ebb
Nitzer Ebb is a British EBM group formed in 1982 by Essex school friends Vaughan "Bon" Harris , Douglas McCarthy , and David Gooday .-Band name:...
, Barry Henssler (Big Chief
Big Chief
"Big Chief" is a song composed by Earl King in the early 1960s. It became a hit in New Orleans for Professor Longhair in 1964, featuring a whistled first chorus in a rollicking blues piano style and subsequent lyrics written in a Creole patois . The tune became popular in New Orleans, frequently...
, The Necros), Pro-Pain
Pro-Pain
Pro-Pain is a New York-based hardcore band formed in 1991 by vocalist and bass guitarist Gary Meskil and drummer Dan Richardson, both former members of Crumbsuckers. Debut album Foul Taste of Freedom was released in 1992, displaying hardcore punk and rap metal influences, after which the band...
, Lucky Boys Confusion
Lucky Boys Confusion
Lucky Boys Confusion is a rock band from the Chicago suburbs in DuPage County. Their music is a mix of rock, punk, ska, and hip hop. The band consists of bassist Jason Schultejann, drummer Ryan Fergus, vocalist Kaustubh Pandav, guitarist/vocalist Adam Krier, and guitarist Joe Sell...
, Bizzy-Bone (of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is an American Hip-Hop/R'n'B band from Cleveland, Ohio formed in 1991. It originally consisted of rappers Layzie Bone, Flesh-n-Bone, Bizzy Bone, Krayzie Bone, and Wish Bone. Rapper Eazy-E of the group N.W.A signed Bone Thugs-N-Harmony to Ruthless Records in 1994, when Bone...
), Speedball, Mickey Raphael (Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
), Yukmouth
Yukmouth
Jerold Dwight Ellis, III, better known by his stage name Yukmouth, is a Grammy-nominated American rapper from East Oakland, Oakland, California. He is the founder of The Regime, Smoke-A-Lot Records and Godzilla Entertainment.-Career:He is a member of the platinum-selling rap duo Luniz along with...
(of Luniz
Luniz
The Luniz were an American platinum-selling rap duo from Oakland, California, formed by the rappers Yukmouth and Numskull. They released an internationally successful hit in 1995 entitled "I Got 5 on It", two versions of which appeared on their album Operation Stackola...
) and more. At current, after 50+ releases, Sin Klub sits inactive, with Shimborske now using the moniker ‘Good Eye Shimmy’ to issue releases. In addition, Shimborske originated the legendary “All Freaks Ball,” a Halloween-themed tattoo convention that primarily showcased Sin Klub bands.
A longtime music fan with wide-ranging tastes, Shimborske—who was trained on piano, clarinet and guitar—initially became involved in the music scene in the mid-1980s after forming an early version of the Thessalonain Dope Gods with close friend Randy K. Wilson. The group released its debut recording in 1994, appeared on a handful of comps, and has since issued two more full-length recordings. The duo currently own Ape Studios in Toledo and are responsible for several video-game soundtracks (including Spider-Man 2
Spider-Man 2
Spider-Man 2 is a 2004 American superhero film directed by Sam Raimi, written by Alvin Sargent and developed by Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, and Michael Chabon. It is the second film in the Spider-Man film franchise based on the fictional Marvel Comics character Spider-Man...
for Gameboy Advanced), many remixes and recordings by Evolotto, The PB Army, Mobile Death Camp (a Gwar
Gwar
Gwar is a satirical heavy metal band formed in Richmond, Virginia, United States, in 1984. The band is best known for its elaborate science fiction/horror film inspired costumes, obscene lyrics and graphic stage performances, which feature humorous enactments of politically and morally taboo...
side-project), and Chrome Helmet.