OK, so this post has a nominal Colorado connection, but we like to cover everything cool here on Reverb, so I say it counts. I’m originally from Dayton, Ohio, and as anyone who’s ever met me knows, I’m damned proud of and won’t shut the hell up about it. To that extent, I’d like to introduce you to Dayton’s latest and greatest, .
What’s that you say? You like free music? Well, strap in, Sally.
The Dayton supergroup features a revolving cast, including friend and fellow journalist Don Thrasher (Guided by Voices, Swearing at Motorists), Kyle Melton (Montgomery Greene), Darryl Robbins (Big Baby, Motel Beds), Jason Short (Suicide Hill) and Marc Betts. And we all remember Dayton, don’t we? That Southwestern Ohio town produced a slew of indie rock heavyweights in ’90s, including the aforementioned GBV as well as the Breeders, Brainiac, Mink, Prettymouth, Lab Partners and many more, including the seeds for a number of current bands (Enon, Heartless Bastards, etc.)
The Smugs released their first digital offering, on March 31 with the intention of issuing a new EP every two weeks as part of their free download series. Today marks the release of the second EP, appropriately titled “Fortune Rumors Vol. 2,” which continues the band’s juicy, mid-fi mix of dense power-pop and indie rock. Think a less elfin, more propulsive Tobin Sprout fronting a late ’90s Merge band and you’re close.
Download both EPs , and check out samples on the Smug Brothers’ . Just be careful, this is some catchy-ass stuff.
John Wenzel is the co-editor of Reverb and an arts and entertainment writer for The Denver Post. He recently published the book and edits the blog.
