With the name change signaling our redoubled efforts to ‘get serious’, the not-quite-ready-for-prime-time rehearsal recordings that we used to post here seem out of place. We are however actively working on a demo and on securing a couple more shows. Check back here or subscribe to the RSS feed to stay hip to our gig schedule and new music.
Thanks to all who turned out for the forth Jumboree at RUBA Hall in Northern Liberties last night. In our first official appearance as Smiles, Everyone, we were honored to play alongside a cavalcade of great musicians, including the Delco Nightingale, National Bird, O Sister, the ever-changing line up of Jumboree Players, and half-dozen other acts whose names escape me at the moment. Thanks again to Chris Palmer and his team for putting the show together, and for inviting us to play!
The venue itself, RUBA Hall, at 414 Green Street in Philadelphia, is also worthy of note: Super friendly staff, great bar, and an awesome room – from the wagon-wheel chandelier to the painted murals and friezes.
We had a great turnout of enthusiastic guests for the solid six hours of music spanning all kinds of styles. If you missed this event, we strongly recommend you keep yours eyes peeled for the Jumboree posters.
The fourth Jumboree
414 Green Street – NoLibs – Philadelphia
Get there early to catch all the great bands. Thanks to Chris Palmer for the invitation to join in the musical festivities.
Stay tuned for a new date for this show. Think March.
Smiles, Everyone is the new moniker of the Philadelphia-Lancaster band known formerly and briefly as Drink the Long Draught.
An artist, a scientist, a writer, and a miscreant merge to form an original sound, danceably pop without losing the rough edge of indy-rock. At times high in energy while also exploring a more soulful side, the quartet’s 80’s influence is present yet subtle as they pull from various musical genres to create original music that remains relevant as they tread wisely over cliches.
Formerly Drink the Long Draught, Oyos Negros. Formerly The Expendables. Featuring members of The Fontanelles; Gross Mojo; Plastron; Solid for Sixty; Skirt; Napalm Sunday; Luster; Moans, Mumbles & Whines; and many more! And now introducing some long-awaited new material.
We are thrilled to be invited to play at the ‘The Dude Hates Cancer!’ Charity Bowling Tournament, in Manayunk (Philadelphia) on November 1, 2008. Now in its third successful year, this event blends bowling and live music into a entertaining fund raiser for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
We will be performing along with Philly comic rock institution Electric Sex Power at Dawson Street Pub, located at 100 Dawson Street in Philly’s Manayunk neighborhood. More details to come.
Even if you aren’t on a bowling team, we hope you will join us for some rock music and to support this worthy cause.
The name Drink the Long Draught fit nicely when Ant, Bil and Ian were working songs out in Ant’s studio. Now, with the addition of Nic, and the subsequent development of this new sound, we are considering a name change. So far there has been only one new name proposed…
We’ve been planning a demo recording. It’s time to take a clean, live-sounding snap shot of five or so of our favorite songs.
Nic did some preliminary research on Philly recording studios that might fit our mood. Bil got a new job so he can treat himself to new pedals. Ant and Ian go back and forth about our capabilities to, interest in, and impracticality of recording ourselves. Songs continue to evolve.
The Short List
Ok. That’s six. We eliminated one, but I can’t remember which one.
Well, not in Biblical proportions, but at a very inopportune time. We had a few hours of mingling and then started setting up casually enough, easing with the luxury of no real start time. Half way into set up, it starts to drizzle…everything off. unplug. huddle the gear. big sheet o plastic. in the house for another drink.
Well now, you might know how the rest of the story goes… The rain subsides, and now all these people who’ve had time for another drink head back outside to hear the band. But…now there’s nowhere dry to sit…and the band, what are they doing? trying to get the gear back to where it was pre-tarp. A slow unraveling.
But, drama aside, we managed to pull ourselves together and play a pretty nice set of songs. Nicola was pure energy. Ant and Bil played ‘em like they knew em back to front. I felt a little lost to start. Apparently I survived. First time out, kids. First time.
Our sincere thanks to Chris and Hayley Ness for the opportunity to introduce these songs we’ve been working on to such an interested and varied audience. Sorry some of you had to cut out early. Jab.
And also a special thanks to Todd Spitler, for the awesome photos of the band.
Aiyeee! Bil got bit. Just upon arriving at our first rehearsal out of the city, out in the countryside of northern Lancaster County, PA. Happened very fast…Bil whisked away while the Ant, Nic and I sat, waited nervously. Certainly cast a peculiar fog on the whole day. Upon Bil’s happy return, we quickly got drunk, and slogged our way through that familiar refrain, crappy practice before the Big Gig.
Thanks to Chris and Haley for an otherwise great day–but for the damn dog. This was the first time in a long time since any of us had performed outside, in the daylight. It was also a good chance practice a full set-up and tear down of all our equipment and a rented PA. I routinely found myself winding up a cable and wondering what the hell I was supposed to do next.
This is all in preparation for a gig on the 26th of July. The Ness Farm party.
We'll let you know when we have a show or new recording