| The Smyrk | |
|---|---|
The Smyrk |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | New Haven, Connecticut |
| Genres | Alternative rock |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels | Unsigned |
| Website | http://www.thesmyrk.com/ |
| Members | |
| Chris Barone (drums) Doron Flake (vocals) |
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| Past members | |
| Nick Logan (guitarist, now with My American Heart) Alex Marans (bass) David Marvuglio (bass) Ari Sadowitz (guitar) |
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The Smyrk is a band from New Haven, Connecticut. The members are Doron Flake, Ari Sadowitz, Chris Barone and David Marvuglio.[1]
Contents |
The Smyrk formed in 2003, when singer Doron Flake joined up with instrumental trio of guitarist/bassists Nick Logan and Ari Sadowitz, along with drummer Chris Barone, who had been playing the Connecticut club circuit under the name "Canine Smirk".
The Smyrk announced their breakup on July 21, 2008, with a final show on July 29. In January 2009, The Smyrk announced its reformation.
Monsters on Maple Street the bands debut EP was produced with Eric Rachel (Saves the Day, Dillinger Escape Plan) and mastered by Alan Douches (Thrice, Run DMC) at West West Side Music. The self-released record garnered praise from sources such as AbsolutePunk.net.
After circulating around the internet and the Northeast playing over 300 shows,[2] Monsters on Maple Street caught the ear of Incubus bassist and former Roots guitarist Ben Kenney. The band then set out on tour, performing across the country and back, including performing in Los Angeles for Kenney, who invited them to record at his home in August 2006. Monsters on Maple Street was picked up for distribution by Mr. Kenney's label, Ghetto Crush, and quickly became a top seller on the label's website, [1].
The Smyrk traveled to Los Angeles in August, 2006 to record six new tracks for the album New Fiction. This album was recorded over a month in Mr. Kenney's home studio.
In October 2007, The Smyrk, was chosen as one of the top 6 bands out of ~4000 bands to compete in MTV2's Dew Circuit Breakout, a TV battle of the bands sponsored by Mountain Dew. MTV2's contest has brought to the music spotlight bands such as Halifax (Band), the 2006 winner and Taking Back Sunday.[3]
In late 2008, The Smyrk recorded 2 new songs with Bryan Russell (Envy on the Coast, Straylight Run, Coldplay).
The band showcased at the 2009 South By Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas.
In January 2009, singer Doron Flake was featured on Stratford, CT alternative/metal band Tempest Edge's track "Against the Wall," off of their E.P. The Creation.
They released 2 new songs, again recorded with Bryan Russell, in fall 2009.
In late 2009, The Smyrk did an interview with underground music website Madeloud.com.[4] In 2010, their current guitarist and bass player left the band and they have been performing with substitutes.
| “ | You'll really set aside the fact that you've heard nothing like this and welcome these new grooves with open arms... A call to all label execs or otherwise still reading: get interested in these guys, [they] have made my summer a whole lot better. | ” |
| “ | "When a band comes along that actually sounds different, it makes people pay attention and makes people curious to hear more. One such band is New Haven, Connecticut's The Smyrk... simply a sound that is different and striking."
- rockpress.net [6] |
” |
| “ | "Volatile and edgy. They now put soul into post-hardcore, playing jazz chords with the energy of a punk band. The band's garnering great press from far and wide...The Smyrk's going places." | ” |
| “ | "[The Smyrk] offers a taste for nuance married perfectly with the all-out aggression of power chord rock. At the core of it is guitar work, which trades tired licks for thoughtful ornament, cliché for relentless riffs dispensed with digital precision. With a studio sound honed to perfection... The Smyrk deliver a live show that is all that and more." | ” |
| “ | "We do believe that they've got something that's pretty special."
- Play Magazine Philadelphia [7] |
” |
| “ | "Polite but quite righteous." | ” |
| Date of Release | Title | U.S. sales |
| October 10, 2003 | The Smyrk | |
| May 5, 2004 | The Hartt Sessions | |
| August 10, 2005 | Monster on Maple Street | |
| March 23, 2007 | New Fiction |