Below the Smile is an alternative rock band, with roots stretching back to 1993. In that year, brothers Corey (singer/guitarist), Axel (drums), and Leif Wilkinson (bass) first got instruments and started playing together, along with Bryan (guitar) and Shawn (keyboards) Canepa, under the name "The Result". Though we spent much of our time back then learning various cover songs, we also started writing original material early on, and recorded two albums which were never released. Much time was spent in those early years studying the melodic techniques of The Cure. We played numerous shows over the years, mostly at private parties, weddings, graduation parties and the like. After the departure of Shawn, and a period of minimal activity, the band was reinvigorated and began writing new material in 2004. It was evident that the style of the new music was markedly different from what had preceded it, and in 2007 the new name “Below the Smile” was adopted. With it came a much greater focus on original music.

At this point, Corey was residing in Montana, so all of our recent writing and recording has been done by transferring files long-distance, via mail and the internet. This also limits our opportunities to play live to those times when we are all in the same location. We make it a point to get together at least twice a year, once in Washington, for shows in the Sequim/Port Angeles area, and once in Montana for shows around Miles City.