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Growing up together David Ellenburg and Jerry Cloer had been friends since they were five years old. Their love for music was always a common bond. By the age of 10 they both were versed in the old school ways of bands like Thin Lizzy, Kiss, and the mighty Black Sabbath. (If you've ever heard these bands then you can see where this is going.) By their late teens they had both procured musical instruments. Playing separately along with their favorite recordings, they founded a basis for what would come.
	In the summer of '94, Dave Steelman, was introduced to David Ellenburg a guy who played in a band that played "heavy" music, but was in need of a bass player. Steelman took a tape home and was blown away by the simplistic nature and catchy riffs that flowed from the stereo speakers. His background playing/singing for bands like TAI and Sevvenn, fueled his interest in pursuing the opening in the band known at the time as Bad Penny.
Once the 3 started playing together immediate chemistry altered weekly jam sessions into 3 to 4 full blown band practices a week. The band decided to change their name to Rictus Grin (a term Lemmy Kilmister utters in the Motorhead song 'Deaf Forever). On October 13th, 1995, Rictus played their first show. Since then they've played shows all over the Carolinas opening for hard hitting original acts like October, Course of Ruin, Bonesaw, and The Joe Davis Band.
	Rictus Grin have recorded 3 demos (Viper in '96, Death Warmed Over in '97, Rust in '98) They compiled parts of each demo for their 1st full-length CD "Three Part Disharmony" in '99. Their 2nd full-length "Hellfire" was recorded in 2000. Two EPs have followed (Forever My Queen in 2001 & Prince Of Darkness EP in 2002). They are currently preparing to record their 3rd full-length.
Today, they are still playing strong, writing a diverse range of music. Reinventing their blend of stoner rock, old school metal, and blues while churning out the classics tighter, thicker, and heavier than before. Though all three work full time jobs, and full-time lives complete with kids, families, wives and girlfriends (one or the other, that is). Rictus Grin has trudged through 10 years together. A stronger, seasoned and more committed band evolves year after year. Now that the boys have all grown up, it’s no wonder that they've persevered into the tight, power trio known and respected as ... RICTUS GRIN.