Tell Us about:

Your latest single you have released:

Smitt E. Smitty: It’s called “#1 Most Likely” and it came out on Valentine’s Day. This song is a ‘love song’ alternative – an alt-love song, perfect for Valentine’s Day. I’ve been in a loving long-term relationship for quite some time now. Having said that, as anyone in a long-term relationship can tell you, relationships are complicated – to say the least. Good days, bad days, and everything in between. 

Your favourite lyric in this song:

“You’re #1 most likely… to kill me with one look.” Yeah, just one look… Bang… I’m dead. Maybe that look was off-the-charts wonderful, too.

Your favourite song that you have created that is an album track:

WOW! My songs are like my children. I Love them all equally… but if I have to choose one for the sake of this question… I’ll go with our brand NEW single “#1 Most Likely”. It’s the latest, it’s the greatest, and it was released on Valentine’s Day! The origins of the song are based in real life, but they’re whimsical, and playful at the same time. The lyric “You’re #1 most likely to kill me with one look” came to me first. I started singing it out loud, and the song simply wrote itself. I heard the vocalization like a cross between Leonard Cohen and Johnny Cash, with a dash of Iggy Pop in there.

Your favourite song to play live:

So many songs just come alive when we play them live. A real show stopper is “The Growler.” Monster guitars, big drum beat, and the entire band truly leans into it. “I’m a growler, you’re a howler / Two rapscallions in a brief encounter.” Yeah, I said “rapscallions.” A vintage term for what we might call “ballers,” or “players” today.

The song that was the longest to write and why?

Excellent question. Some songs get written quickly, and some take a bit longer to realize. The title track of our 2018 debut release, “Just A Modern Guy,” took a little longer than most. I knew I wanted to call the album Just A Modern Guy, a lyric from Iggy Pop’s “Lust For Life”, and have a song by the same name on it, too. I had to really put on my thinking fez to get it just right. We did an alternate mix of the song as well, called “Just A Modern Guy (Modern Mix)”. That was crazy FUN to do. I encouraged our sound engineer Alec Rodriguez to push the limits… and he did.

Your most emotional track:

The song “Betty Baby” from our 2018 debut album Just A Modern Guy, is probably, in many ways, the most emotional. I have known a few “Betty Baby” types in my life. It’s about a young woman who keeps getting taken advantage of by her acquaintances, family, and co-workers. Basically everyone. She finally has enough of it, and fights back. After deciding NOT to slit the throat of a would be attacker, Betty boards a bus and leaves the god awful town behind. She sits in the back of the bus and starts singing.

Dream collaboration:

If I could collaborate on a song with anyone, I would have to choose Harry Nilsson. One of the greatest songwriters of all time. He had it all. Critically acclaimed, a distinctive voice, and complex arrangements. He was known for his vocal overdubbing, catchy melodies, and witty lyrics. He recorded some of the greatest songs ever written. Harry also recorded at Trident Studios in the United Kingdom. Many years later… so did I. We have that in common.

Describe the feeling you get when you walk on stage to do a show:

When I walk on stage to perform, I can feel the beautiful anticipation, and joy of endless possibilities. I can’t wait to connect with the audience. The phrase “Wait’ll they get a load of us!” goes through my head. Whether they like Smitt E. Smitty & The Fezztones or not, I know one thing is for certain… they sure as hell aren’t going to forget us. 

The hardest track to play live:

By definition, I’m not a fan of musical gymnastics. Not impressed. Writing a great song? THAT impresses me. Putting on a great performance? THAT’S what “Wows” me. Look how fast my fingers go on a guitar, and watch my drum solo? Yeah… Nooo. Our songs are created to engage the listener. No pretension. Just beautiful love, joy, and passion. Ready… set… GO!

Essential items you always take on tour with you?

I’m not going anywhere without my fezzes, my kilt, and my harmonicas.

Describe your fans in three words:

Creative, unique, and brilliant.

A song by another artist or band you wish you had written:

The first time I heard “Sleepwalk” by Ultravox waaay back in 1980, from their album Vienna, I thought “DAMN!” What a brilliant song. Not only did the song send me to the moon, but the drums by Warren Cann were exactly the kind of rhythm I would play. The song felt like a “me” song. Yeah, it’s got “Smitty” written all over it. Future cover? Hmmm…

What we can look forward to from your band this year:

So much FUN going on this year! New singles galore, brand NEW music videos in the works, some TV appearances, and of course… big LIVE events! Both in Boston and Detroit. WHAT?! Yeah, stay TUNED! 

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