Estus

US American Hard Rock Prog band, made one album in 1973. Formed in Missouri, Estus featured brothers John (bass) and Tom (guitar) Nicholas, and guitarist Harry Rumpf. John had previously recorded an album with the obscure band Elderberry Jak. Between 1970 and 1973 Estus apparently attracted a Midwestern following, eventually attracting the attention of Columbia Records which signed them to a then sizable $100,000 recording contract. Having gone through a number of drummers, the trio signing former Dust drummer Marc Bell prior to going into the recording studio with producer Andrew Loog Oldham. The album instantly flopped and with a couple of months Columbia dropped the group. Bell subsequently quit the band, eventually earning fame as a member of Richard Hell and the Voidoids and then The Ramones. The rest of the band returned to Missouri.