Smile 1

Smile 1

Smile to release debut EP, ‘Closer’, on April 11th

The name 'Smile' is neither ironic nor literal, but figurative. Use your imagination and take that image you have of a smile to symbolize something else entirely, knock yourself out, whatever. ‘Closer’, the band’s debut EP, shall be self-released on April 11th.

Smile is a rock band from Reading and London, formed by five friends in 2009. The music they create is a product of their environment. An environment, which is in equal measures depressing, average and deeply cynical. A combination of these miserable suburban surroundings, and performances at Reading Festival from the likes of Nirvana and The Jesus Lizard convinced the band that music could be their escape.

The melodies are hypnotic, majestic, magical journeys, begging to be collected in your pinna. Indeed, their songs have quickly won over listeners at XFM and BBC6 Music, who the band recorded a session with for Tom Robinson’s show. In their short career so far they’ve also played shows with Max Tundra and The Shitty Limits, and are about to shoot a music video with Vice Cooler of the seminal thrash band XBXRX. Lyrically however, the songs are nostalgic accounts of childhood experiences, ranging from the blissfully ignorant to the downright degrading.

'The song 'Closer' is a break up song; it's actually very bitter. I didn't want to turn it into anything too crappy, so I tried to make it as direct and honest as possible, which ended up with me singing the most infantile, dumb shit. Stuff that I would probably say if I were drunk, which I was.” reveals singer Chris Relevitch. “It’s a healing process, the hurt process. ‘Nightlife’ is an ode to failed relationships and their worth in reminding us how much of a dick we can all be. Lord Lucan was a dick, he tried to kill his wife but ended up killing the nanny instead.”

While the ‘Closer’ EP is comprised of classic ingredients (drums, guitar, bass), it results in a refreshing update of some of alt. rock’s true greats, referencing everyone from Afghan Whigs to Dinosaur Jr. Yet on these 4 tracks, Smile manages to carve out a personality entirely of their own. But don’t take our word for it, take a listen. Enjoy. Smile.

Live Dates:
March 17th - London, The Unicorn
March 28th - London, The Windmill
April 7th -  London, The Monarch
April 13th - Reading, The Oakford Social Club 

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