Smother Party Reviews

Here's a headline article that appeared in the Honolulu Star Bulletin

The following is a review of a Smother Party show, written by Jon Dewey, a freelance writer that has written for the Honolulu Advertiser

Affectionately known as "The Rat," it became the breeding ground for a host of bands which would change the face of pop music. These bands were "punk" and "New Wave." I became a vocal supporter of these young, raw and talented bands and their budding art form. DMZ went on to sign with Sire Records. One of these bands went on to make itself a pop music legend: The Cars.

I never thought I'd have that kind of enthusiasm for a band again. Until this year.

Two months ago on a Saturday night by chance, I decided to stop in at the Coffee Gallery in Wahiawa for some cappuccino. A local band was gearing up for their set. I decided to stick around and listen.

I was glad I did. This band had the raw energy, talent, and contagious enthusiasm I had originally found in the punk bands of Boston. But this band was better! Unlike the punk groups of the 70's, who were sometimes just a step above a garage band, the band I had discovered was tight and musically sophisticated. This band is Smother Party. I went home raving about them.

Smother Party is a bona fide local talent. Hailing from Haleiwa, this trio has the potential of being the first in (hopefully) a long line of Hawaiian rock bands to break onto the national scene.

Smother Party consists of Z (also known as "S.O.B.") from Haleiwa on guitar and vocals, Justin Douglas Vincler from Kailua on drums, and Nicki Tedesco from Los Angeles on bass and background vocals.

After the dissolution of the band "D.P." (who released a CD on Scrap Metal Records, which I understand is still available at Tower Records and the Navy Exchange at Pearl Harbor), Z and Nicki teamed up with drummer Justin in Haleiwa and formed Smother Party in February 1995. They took their name from the epic novel "Naked Lunch" by William S. Burroughs.

The band's three-fold musical philosophy, according to Z, is "To play all forms of music thus encompassing the essence of all cultures; less is more; and don't be a wimp." Watching them live, you can see this in action. Jumping from original music, to Jimi Hendrix's "Manic Depression," to "The Girl from Ipanema" in one set is a musical feat few can pull off successfully. Yet Smother Party can.

Each member is an accomplished musician. Z's guitar virtuosity is awe inspiring. He has successfully mastered the melding of the six string with the complexities of modern electronics. He builds a wall of sound which fleshes out the trio's sound.

Z is also the primary songwriter of the band. His original songs rival anything called Alternative heard on the radio today. Herein is part of the band's strength: Z is an accomplished composer. His songs make sense, and have purposeful and meaningful direction. And they are full of surprises: just when you thought the song would turn in one direction, it turns in another.

The rhythm section of Nicki and Justin are the bedrock from which Z is allowed to soar. The two are a perfect team, presenting a unified beat.

Nicki is a bassist in the excellence category. I don't say this lightly. It would be easy to dwell on the novelty of a female bass guitarist in the traditionally male dominated rock world, and ignore talent and ability. Nicki transcends the stereotypes. She is excellent by the "male standard." She has a fluidity and speed on the Fender bass which rivals that of many lead guitar players.

Justin provides the driving beat which makes this trio rock'n'roll. He provides the pace for the group's music, propelling it forward, but never letting it get off course. He provides the steady platform which allows Z and Nicki to make their musical magic.

This ain't no lounge act, folks. If you like your music live, raw, and original, this is the band for you. You can catch Smother Party on Friday nights at the Coffee Gallery in Haleiwa, and Saturday nights at the Coffee Gallery in Wahiawa.

Support your local bands. Hawaii deserves a music scene just as much as Boston, New York and L.A. And the best part, most of the local bands are better.