Smartass - How it all began

THE NAME

Gary came up with the name while forming another band back in the summer of 99. The members of that project were not pleased with the name and opted for another. But Gary, realizing the marketing potential of the name, reserved the domain name for the web and registered it with the Library of Congress so that no other band could use the name. Upon forming what is now SMARTASS, all the members now involved loved the name....and you know the rest!

HOW THIS SH#T GOT STARTED

After a few semi-successful performances with THE COPYCATS in the fall of 99, the bassist decided to leave. Gary then decided to form this band with his old drummer from MAD ANTHONY, Darren. The two had spoken off and on throughout the summer and began the search for other members. Gary had asked Dave if he wanted to form a band with him and after a month or so, Dave decided to do it. It was now November and they only had to find a guitarist. The person who they wanted told Gary, he could not do anything until the first of the year. So through the holidays, the three waited. After the first of the year, the guitarist was still not commuting to the project. So, Gary, Dave and Darren began to look elsewhere. Darren suggested Fabre', a guitarist with whom he had played with in a previous band. The four planned on getting together after learning some songs for 2 weeks. After the first song.....SMARTASS was born! From January 30, 2000 to May, the band practiced once a week learning songs getting ready for the fist performance, MAY 27th at OZZIE'S DALTON DEPOT.

THE BAND'S PHILOSOPHY

It is very simple, if you are going to be a cover band....PLAY WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT TO HEAR!!!!!!! PERIOD!!!! SMARTASS is a band for the people. They figure if you are going to pay money to come see a band, you should hear songs you want to hear and be entertained!!!! So the band is determined to put on a great show each and every time they play! You will not get 45 minute sets with 4 card board cut-outs on stage. You will get a great show and a ton of energy. The band has spent over $2000 on their stage show. These guys are going to talk TO you not to themselves. YOU WILL GET YOUR MONEY'S WORTH!!!!!!

WHO THE HELL IS SMARTASS???

None of your f##kin' business!!!! Just kidding!!!! The band consists of four musicians who have over 15 years of stage experience each!!! Which basically means, if there is a mistake to be made, they have already made it....and know how to cover them up now!!!!

GARY - VOCALS AND PARTY HOST

Gary started out a drummer and singer, he put away the drums at the request of record company executives who were very interested in his band MAD ANTHONY. He sang in various formations of that band from 88 to 95. Signing a record deal in the summer of 93, with musicians from New Hampshire and Maine. After losing the record deal in 95, he returned home to Pittsfield. At this point, Gary had no desire to perform again, and it wasn't until the fall of 97 that he joined one of his friends bands on stage to sing a couple songs that the itch perform returned. After that, the desire to play was there, but the musicians were not!!! It wasn't until the summer of 99 that the ball began to roll, and although it was a short roll, it built the foundation for SMARTASS.

On stage, Gary is more of a party host than a lead singer. You will always see him jumping around, getting the crowd involved and just having a genuine great time. He enjoys what he does and his energy and enthusiasm are infectious!!! In addition, if you like or dislike the stage show, logo, mascot and all the nonsense, blame Gary, he is responsible for most of it!!!

DAVE - EVERYTHING BUT GUITARS N DRUMS

Dave is the most experienced musician in the band, having played with such acts as; NIGHTBEAR, HIP POCKET, PARAFFIN and JOURNEY'S END, just to name a few. All of the bands listed have enjoyed great success in the area and beyond. Dave's keyboard magic and stage antics have a great deal to do with all the success. He has also been the most requested sound engineer in the area. Dave pulls double duty in this band, playing both the bass and keyboards in every song!!! Plus sing back-up vocals and lead vocals on a few too!!!!! Oh yeah, he is also in charge of the PA and the sound for SMARTASS....and doing the dishes!!!! Besides that, he is worthless!!!!! He is basically the heart and soul of the band. Through him, everything lives!

On stage.....stay out of his way!! Even though he has a million things to do, that does not prevent him from going crazy while performing. He is the one most likely to receive a head injury while performing!!!!

FABRE' - GUITARS AND MORE GUITARS

If you close your eyes and listen to the guitar during any SMARTASS performance, you will swear that there is a CD being played!! That is because Fabre' is a perfectionist, and is not satisfied unless he is playing each song, note for note!!!! It is this work ethic which has made him one of the areas premier guitarists. While in PUBLIC NUISANCE in the late 80's Fabre' was known for his precise playing and stood out in the band. In the 90's he joined MR. BONE, and again it was his playing which impressed all who saw him.

On stage, he lets the guitar do the talking...(he kinda has to with Gary and Dave talking all the time anyway). You will not hear him playing a 6 minute lead in a 4 minute song! You won't hear him "wanking" away in the song when he's not suposed to. He plays what needs to be played and that's it!!!

DARREN - LOTS O DRUMS

Darren joined Gary in MAD ANTHONY in the spring of 1990. When he found out the band was looking for a drummer, he would not stop calling Gary. He joined the band and became one of the main reasons the band was one of the most popular bands in the area throughout the early 90's. After leaving MAD ANTHONY, he later joined MR. BONE, where he met Fabre' (see how this all ties together now?)

His playing kicks the band right in the ass!!!! You will not hear a song change speeds 15 times during its length. Darren is very steady and consistant with his playing. He also lends backing vocals to most songs, something a great many drummers do not do!!! And although he is in back of the stage, Darren will let you know he's back there! You'll hear him talking just as much as Gary and Dave!!! But it is his playing that you need to listen to!!!! He plays with aggressive enthusiasm which drives the band song after song.

HOPE TO SEE YOU AT ONE OF OUR SHOWS!!!

Well, that's it!!! I hope you enjoyed the little background we gave you on the band. Of course if there's more you'd like to know about, please feel free to email us and we'd be more than happy to answer any question you may have etc.......

Again, we are your band, so tell us what ya want!!!! If you don't tell us...we'll never know!!! So open your mouth!!!! We'll do our best to make ya happy.........really!