Chris Simpson cut his teeth in the early-mid 90’s as singer/guitar player/songwriter for seminal band Mineral. Two full-lengths (The Power of Failing, Crank! 1995, and End Serenading, Crank! 1997) and a slew of singles, tracks on compilations, and incessant touring resulted in the band signing with Interscope Records in late 1996, though they would not survive to actually release anything on the label. Immediately following the break-up of that band, Chris went on to form The Gloria Record, which recorded two EPs (The Gloria Record, Crank! 1998, A Lull in Traffic, Crank! 2000) and one full-length (Start Here, Arena Rock 2002). Despite that record’s title, it was the last successful endeavor for The Gloria Record, signaling the beginning of a crippling three-and-a half year bout of writer’s block for Chris. After pursuing various means to cure what ailed him, he finally began writing songs again in the summer of 2005. Since then, he has added both semi-permanent and cameo players to the Zookeeper line-up, experimented with sounds and styles both old and new, and written and recorded over 35 songs and counting. He looks forward to returning to the road, finalizing a record (or two or three), writing another record (or two or three) and never waiting tables again.