Get Smart! (band)
Encyclopedia
Get Smart! was a three piece band
formed in Lawrence
, Kansas
in 1980 consisting of Marc Koch, Lisa Wertman Crowe and Frank Loose.
in Lawrence, KS in 1980 and, along with bands like the Embarrassment
and the Mortal Micronotz
, they were prominent in the alternative music scene in Lawrence. They released their first record in 1981, which was a flexi disc released with "Talk Talk" magazine. This was followed by the self-released 4-track Words Move EP. Next was a four band split
cassette, released by Fresh Sounds Records, called Fresh Sounds From Middle America (vol 1)
(the four bands being Get Smart!, the Embarrassment, the Yard Apes and the Mortal Micronotz). In 1982 they relocated to Chicago, IL. The group were signed by Colin Camerer
to his Fever Records label (an independent label in Philadelphia, PA) and released their first album, Action Reaction
in 1984. Swimming with Sharks was released in 1986 on Enigma Records
' "Restless Records
" imprint.
The band received considerable coverage in Nebraska's "Capitol Punishment" fanzine.
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
formed in Lawrence
Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence is the sixth largest city in the U.S. State of Kansas and the county seat of Douglas County. Located in northeastern Kansas, Lawrence is the anchor city of the Lawrence, Kansas, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Douglas County...
, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
in 1980 consisting of Marc Koch, Lisa Wertman Crowe and Frank Loose.
Career
The band formed while at University of KansasUniversity of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
in Lawrence, KS in 1980 and, along with bands like the Embarrassment
The Embarrassment
The Embarrassment was an American quartet formed in 1979 in Wichita, Kansas, that made several recordings before breaking up in 1983. The band consisted of guitarist Bill Goffrier, lead singer and organist John Nichols, bassist Ron Klaus and drummer Brent Giessmann.-History:Although some people...
and the Mortal Micronotz
The Micronotz
The Micronotz, also known as the Mortal Micronotz, were an American punk rock/alternative rock quartet formed in 1980 in Lawrence, Kansas, that, along with bands like The Embarrassment and Get Smart!, were prominent on the local music scene in Lawrence in the early 80s.-History:The band formed in...
, they were prominent in the alternative music scene in Lawrence. They released their first record in 1981, which was a flexi disc released with "Talk Talk" magazine. This was followed by the self-released 4-track Words Move EP. Next was a four band split
Split album
A split album is a music album which includes tracks by two or more separate artists. There have been singles and EPs released in the same nature, which can be referred to as split singles and split EPs respectively...
cassette, released by Fresh Sounds Records, called Fresh Sounds From Middle America (vol 1)
Fresh Sounds From Middle America (vol 1)
Fresh Sounds From Middle America was the first in a series of compilations featuring bands from the Midwest region of America. Volume 1 was a split compilation cassette-only release featuring 22 tracks from 4 bands and is sometimes referred to as "the Buffalo tape" because of the Buffalo imprint...
(the four bands being Get Smart!, the Embarrassment, the Yard Apes and the Mortal Micronotz). In 1982 they relocated to Chicago, IL. The group were signed by Colin Camerer
Colin Camerer
Colin F. Camerer is an American behavioral economist and a Robert Kirby Professor of Behavioral Finance and Economics at the California Institute of Technology ....
to his Fever Records label (an independent label in Philadelphia, PA) and released their first album, Action Reaction
Action Reaction
Action Reaction is the debut album by Get Smart!, released on Enigma Records' "Fever" imprint in 1984.-Info:It was originally announced, in Nebraska's "Capitol Punishment", that the album would be released on the "Fresh Sounds" label , which had previously released the band's debut single and the...
in 1984. Swimming with Sharks was released in 1986 on Enigma Records
Enigma Records
Enigma Records was a popular rock and alternative American record label in the 1980s. It was initially a division of Greenworld Distribution, an independent music importer/distributor, which it split-off from in 1985 to become its own company...
' "Restless Records
Restless Records
Restless Records was started in El Segundo, California in 1981 by Enigma Records and primarly released alternative, metal and punk records. Restless also licensed and released records from Bar/None Records, Metal Blade Records and Mute Records...
" imprint.
The band received considerable coverage in Nebraska's "Capitol Punishment" fanzine.
Line-Up Changes
In 1987 Bob Lara, from the band Reaction, was added as a second guitarist. Shortly afterwards, Frank Loose left the band. He was originally replaced in 1988 by Ric Menck. Ric only stayed with the band for a short time. He was replaced by Jay Sebastian (aka "Redd Klaats"). Jay left the band after about a year, at which they continued as an acoustic trio until they disbanded in 1990.After Get Smart!
- Lisa continued performing with Bob Lara as "The Lisa and Bob Show" for about a year. Then she joined the band Dolly VardenDolly Varden (band)Dolly Varden is a Chicago band built around the singing and songwriting of husband and wife duo Steve Dawson and Diane Christiansen. Their music combines elements of folk, rock and pop and country. The band has released 5 albums, along with several collections and side projects...
as a founding member. Later she would perform with the Nora O'Connor BandNora O'ConnorNora O'Connor is an American musician. She sings and plays guitar with numerous bands and individuals from the U.S. and Canada, her primary involvements being Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire and the Blacks...
, the Honeybees and Jeanie B and the Jelly Beans. - Marc moved back to Lawrence and currently plays in the country band "Cryin' Out Loud".
- Bob has played in many local Chicago bands and has participated in several re-unions of his old band "Reaction".
- Ric went onto form Velvet CrushVelvet CrushVelvet Crush is a power pop band from Rhode Island that achieved prominence in indie-rock circles in the early- and mid-1990s. The band broke up in 1996 but re-formed in 1998 and have continued to record, releasing their most recent album in 2004...
- Jay went onto form the "Twang Bang" duo.
Band members
- Marc Koch - guitarist (1980–1990)
- Lisa Wertman Crowe - bassist (1980–1990)
- Frank Loose - drummer (1980–1987)
- Ric Menck - drummer (1988)
- Jay Sebastian (aka "Redd Klaats") - drummer (1988–1989)
- Bob Lara - guitarist (1988–1990)
Discography
- 1981 - "Numbers and ColoursNumbers and ColoursNumbers and Colours / Ankle Deep in Mud is the debut release by the post punk band Get Smart!. It was released as a 6-inch flexi disc that accompanied the May 13, 1981 issue of Talk Talk magazine.-General info:...
" / "Ankle Deep In Mud" (flexi, Fresh Sounds) (with "Talk Talk" magazine, 1981-05-13) - 1981 - Words MoveWords MoveWords Move is a 4-track EP by Get Smart!, released on Syntax Records on December 8, 1981. It was recorded at Ramona Studios in Lawrence, KS and produced by Dave Stuckey, of the Dave and Deke Combo...
(4 song EP, Syntax, 1981-12-08) - 1981 - Fresh Sounds From Middle America (vol 1)Fresh Sounds From Middle America (vol 1)Fresh Sounds From Middle America was the first in a series of compilations featuring bands from the Midwest region of America. Volume 1 was a split compilation cassette-only release featuring 22 tracks from 4 bands and is sometimes referred to as "the Buffalo tape" because of the Buffalo imprint...
(splitSplit albumA split album is a music album which includes tracks by two or more separate artists. There have been singles and EPs released in the same nature, which can be referred to as split singles and split EPs respectively...
/cassette, Fresh Sounds, 1981-12-12) - 1981 - Get Smart! (11 song demo tape)
- 1984 - Action ReactionAction ReactionAction Reaction is the debut album by Get Smart!, released on Enigma Records' "Fever" imprint in 1984.-Info:It was originally announced, in Nebraska's "Capitol Punishment", that the album would be released on the "Fresh Sounds" label , which had previously released the band's debut single and the...
(12 song LP, Fever/Enigma) - 1985 - "Back Into The Future" / "World Without End" (live, Fever/Enigma)
- 1986 - Swimming with Sharks (10 song LP, Restless/Enigma)
- 1987 - "Gold To Rust" (45, Enigma Europe)
Compilations
- Inspiration Series #1 (German cassette) - included "On And On" (different version)
- Sub PopSub PopSub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
#5 - included "Eat, Sleep A Go-Go" (from the "Words Move" EP) - Sub Pop #7 - included "Black Mirror" (different version)
- Enigma VariationsEnigma Variations (album)The Enigma Variations is a compilation album of newer artists that were on Enigma Records or one of its subsidiaries. It was originally released as a double LP and cassette, but was then subsequently also released as a CD with a reduced number of tracks. The album was compiled by Steve Pross and...
- included "Just For The Moment" (from Action ReactionAction ReactionAction Reaction is the debut album by Get Smart!, released on Enigma Records' "Fever" imprint in 1984.-Info:It was originally announced, in Nebraska's "Capitol Punishment", that the album would be released on the "Fresh Sounds" label , which had previously released the band's debut single and the...
) - Restless VariationsRestless VariationsRestless Variations is a compilation album of newer artists that were on Restless Records issued as a single LP in a gatefold sleeve...
- included "Back Into The Future" (from Swimming with Sharks) - Heat From The Wind Chill Factory — included "What It Is We Fear" (acoustic version)
Reception
- "one of the few seriously innovative bands in the Lawrence-Kansas City-Topeka area" (Blake Gumprecht, University Daily Kansan, 1980-12-15
- "original, simple, clean material and an energized, tight performance" (Karen Barber, KLZR 106, 1981-06-20)
- "their music has a beat and a fundamentally aggressive quality that is extremely satisfying" (John Korst, Jet Lag, Feb 1983)
- "This is what happened to Midwestern bar bands when they heard the Sex PistolsSex PistolsThe Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band that formed in London in 1975. They were responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians...
. Lots of beat and jangle; it's raw and rocking" (Barbara Nellis, PlayboyPlayboyPlayboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
, March 1985) - "the band has a truly impressive knack for three-piece writing and arranging. Their new LP, Swimming With Sharks, is full of tense, carefully crafted minatures that meld unvarnished noise with unexpected pretty vocal harmonies" (Renaldo Migaldi, Chicago Reader, 1986)
- "Dense minimalist rock featuring choppy guitars, a tight rhythmic thrust, and passionate, often eerie vocals, with stream-of-consciousness lyrics" (Jeff Silberman, Rock It, Fall 1986)
- "Get Smart! has emerged as one of Chicago's most respected (and nationally renowned) underground bands" (Moira McCormick, Illinois Entertainer, September 1986)
- "Warm pop melodicism competes with punky bluntness and jagged noise tendencies" (Ira Robbins, Trouser PressTrouser PressTrouser Press was a rock and roll magazine started in New York in 1974 as a mimeographed fanzine by editor/publisher Ira Robbins, fellow Who fan Dave Schulps and Karen Rose under the name "Trans-Oceanic Trouser Press" ...
, 1986)
External links
- getsmartmusic.com - Official Homepage
- Cryin' Out Loud - Marc Koch's current band
- lyrics.wikia.com all the lyrics
- Trouser Press Trouser Press entry for the band