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Seattle’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 grab the senses and don't let go.

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 Built to Spill, The Dutchess and the Duke, Of Montreal, the Lemonheads’ Evan Dando, 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 consciously loose yet 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.

“The group makes sweet sounds that are definitely something to expose those pearly whites for. The album ranges from distorted heavy rockers infused with sweet vocals to poppy numbers that are sure to put a wry grin on your face.” -Philip Fairbanks/adequacy.net

“Smile Brigade has been honing their particular brand of pop music— which manages to be dark and sardonic, yet breezy and fun at the same time.” –Levi Slade/thestranger.com

“combining classic vocal harmonies with rougher arrangements, with the occasional sparkling surprise.” -Ned Ragget/allmusic.com

“Wrapped in a blanket of aptly distorted interlude mini-songs, this album is set pretty comfortably in a bed of hazy guitars and sigh filled vocals. This could get any coffee drinking college kid swaying to the sound of its light structure and relevant lyrics. Following an almost folk format, SB is able to create some pretty lucid dream-like serenades with chorus vocals and abound acoustical fortitude.” -Pernell/skylinepress.net

“J. Hiram Boggs lends his rich vocals-a slight growl at times recalling John Mellencamp and, at others, Jeff Tweedy-easily to the countrified ballads, but it's on the piano-and-reverb-drenched "Distorted Ivory Coast" and "Devastating" where his voice truly impresses. Boggs' vocals bridge the rift between the experimental and the traditional, making otherwise out-of-place songs fit in perfectly." -Katie Sauro/Seattle Sound Magazine

"This hazy indie-pop band from Seattle have the ability to give every song it's own little twist while keeping a constant smile on their listeners' face. Dig Smile Brigade live on KEXP."-W. Myers/KEXP 90.3 FM

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live show @ the Paradox w/ A. Luxem on bass and Charlie Walsh on percussion

Busking in the streets of Little Tokyo, LA before our show at the Cocaine. Fun times

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