Seattle, Washington’s very own Smile Brigade rocks 60’s tinged, electric-folk that plays off a variety of influences. Their shameless melodies sway and swagger from charming pop to searing,fithtified guitar stompers that smoke, smolder and please folks of all stripes from the tatted up emo dude, to the cut off shorts and long johns guy who refuses to let the dream die. Making their way on their own steam, Smile Brigade has been playing shows locally and touring across the US, landing opening spots with acts like Of Montreal, the Lemonheads’ Evan Dando, The Dutchess and the Duke, and Modest Mouse ( the M.M. show took place back in the day under the name J. Hiram Boggs and satisfaction btw). Live, Smile Brigade’s entourage ranges from the original 4 to 10+ when they enlist fans and friends to take up percussion duties, turning the already tight, energetic set into an all out dance party. In 2007, Smile Brigade released their debut Lp entitled “Take the Precious Edge Off This Treacherous Ledge”. It received ample regional airplay and caught The Onion’s A/V Club’s attention; they named Smile Brigade “Worst Band Name in ‘07” under the category of ‘Cutesy Bullshit’. Plans for 2009 include a new release on their own label, Tilton House Records, entitled “eering, creaky” (out Feb 17, 2009). This e.p. is a 5 song acoustic experiment that the band recorded in 24 hours. Their signature melodic and jangly folk on this release incorporates the spirit of their live shows, with friends taking up instrumental duties, and also the bare and exuberant busking sets the band has played out on the streets of Seattle. Meanwhile, Smile Brigade will be touring on this new e.p. and working on their follow up Lp slated for an early 2010 release.
