Just watched an interview of Todd Kerns interviewing Gilby Clarke. Gilby says he remembers this band at the time and says he thought they blew everyone away, but sadly never got a record deal. That's what brought me here.
I went San Gabriel High, class of ‘80. Saw these dudes in a bunch of back yards and clubs. Great live band. Love Simpletones and StepMothers, Shake Shakes. So many good bands
Awww, truly the soundtrack of my teens. When I was in Little Tokyo I had the opportunity to open up for & get to know the band back before their 1st & only Album was released, Scooter. One of the best frontman that strutted the stage, and the sweetest guy. I have & enjoy all the recorded music they ever recorded, those Demos are priceless to me. Cry Baby one of my Fav's. Long live smile
Scott what can I say you gave me the best night of my life. You invited me to come with you to your show at madame Wongs west in Santa Monica. You guys were the closing act. I'll never forget that night I got to hang with you the whole night you guys kicked ass. Too young to fully appreciate what I was seeing. Found this on the internet I'm appreciating you now you had such great music. Thank you for giving me the first class treatment. I'll never forget it. You were straight up very cool for inviting me to a night out with SMILE! Finally heard your album hey would I come all the up here to lie to you the records a hit! Seriously from one musician to another it's very well done. I'm glad I finally got to hear it. Your voice is so awesome boy you can sing and you sing very well. It's engineered very well great quality great sound. Just a kick ass record from beginning to end. All great songs.
Hi Dennis, Thanks for this post. Back in 1983 when I was living in Santa Maria I got together with a guitar player who had grown up in Los Angeles listening to the local licks local artist program on I think it was KLOS. When he moved up to Santa Maria and we started putting our band together he brought out a cassette tape they had recordings from Warrior- Fighting for the Earth, and Smile-Radio Act of Love. I love both bands but Smile was special. My friend told me that they were immensely popular on the club circuit and had been around since the late '70s and were sure to get signed in the burgeoning LA Rock scene of the early '80s. Well as we both know they did not get signed until they won the all LA Battle of the bands in I think it was 1984 and finally got signed to MCA Curb Records. Of course the label dropped the ball and didn't promote them the way they should and so we never got to see what they could really do. But, I bought their debut offering on vinyl and cassette. And still listen to it even today. There's just one thing that drives me crazy, I cannot understand what Scottie Waller is saying for the lyrics in Loose Ends. I've tried reaching out to the former band members like Tony Pacheco and Tommy Girvin forgot no response and I was unable to find any contact information for Scott. So just for curiosity sake, I thought I would ask you if you know how to reach him and if you think he might be willing to share the lyrics for that song? I know this was a long message, and I'm not sure it will even reach you, but if it does, I'd love to hear back from you. Thank you so much.
We followed Smile all over in 78-79. We saw them at Starwood and Van Halen every week! Went from the Disco into the Rock room and met Blondie, and were there the night Aerosmith played under a false name. I always thought Smile should have been signed over Van Halen. Forgot the drummers name but really loved that band.
In the late 70's I was a high school kid from the Valley who would trek on over the hill to watch these guys play at the Starwood. I loved this band. I might have been at this show, I remember the "Do we have any lovers in the crowd?" thing. We'd go to Badaxe shows too. Saw Quiet Riot with RR blow up the house sound system at a club in Northridge. Yes those were the days my friends.
Just saw tommy girvin with eddie money 9 2 12 NYS fair he sign the smile LP i had ,he said that this first time in along time seen one He don't have one any more! we talk what a nice person .Killer on guitar..
Wow! Life then was such a blur. Starwood, Woodsound, Pookies in Pasadena, Oddfellows lodge... then thet es tge Hollywood list. Smile always packed em in but those years will always belong to good 'ol back yard parties. Grew up in Rosemead and went to San Gabriel til '80. It was a time no other can replicate. I don't miss the "blur" though.
+Laura Hodges Hello Laura Dodd. Just still love SMILE. Saw them Almost every chance I got, all over Hollywood, Pasadena but Temple City was the best place.. at our dances! Thanks Smile
Just ran across this video… Responding to comments that were left eight years ago… But what the hell. I graduated from Temple city class of 75… I knew Scott pretty well… Ran into him at a mini reunion at the Crest a couple years back But you are right!! Being a teenager in Southern California in the mid 70s was as good as could possibly be. Anybody remember the cops use to bust the party with the helicopter… Then down to Bob’s big boy on Camino Real and Baldwin. Got to see smile and Van Halen in backyard on hot summer LA nights. I had just moved to Temple City as a junior in 1973 From, San Francisco Bay area… It was the best thing that ever happened to me. As my best friend, Jim Spink (RIP) would say it was a beautiful thing
@@bobbest8627 I was class of 81, had Smile play a lot of dances, but Van Halen was too big at that point so never got to see them play. It was a magical place, and a magical time.
I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY SMILE NEVER MADE IT BIG...REALLY BIG THEY TRULY DESERVED IT- HIT SONG HIT SONG HIT SONG...WOW... SCOTTY WAS THE FRONT MAN EXTRAORDINAIRE AND THE REST OF THE BAND...Well, just listen to this live recording... SMILE 4EVER!
Gonna have to get my Smile recordings up here somehow. Got alot of them. Long live Scotty Waller, Tommy Girvin, Jimmy Volpe, forgot the bass player! lol
I keep reading "why didn't they make it big" in the comment's. As far as musical competence is concerned they should have been huge. Great live band. Fantastic. But when the album came out seems something basic was missing. I worked at a record store so I had a copy right away. But it sounded terrible. Whatever magic they had live didn't transfer to vinyl. Seems whoever produced the album is to blame. Such fantastic energy is completely lost. Thanks for posting this vid. Makes me sad yet smile at the same time.
I used to hang out with these guys back then. Singer's name was Scotty and I knew then Tommy was a great guitarist. You shoulda heard him do Zep or Helter Skelter. I found their album at a yardsale years later and called and found out from his sister that Tommy was on the road with Eddie Money. Talented good people!!!
I'm not totally sure if this is the show that or not, but I believe that it is. 1979 was my senior year in high school, and I got the chance to be Tommy's "guitar tech" (roadie) for about 6-9 months or so. And, if this is the Starwood gig that I was at, and I believe it is, which would have been a Showcase show (possibly for record execs to check them out?) and at that show, (which the band Dubrow opened for them, as they were previously Quiet Riot, and then again later, Quiet Riot) Anyway, the part where Scott (Waller, Vocals) disappeared behind the drum kit was because he was feeling very Sick and came over the my side of the stage (behind Tommy's Marshall Amps) and actually Threw up in a trash can and then, he looked at me and said "How's it going" and then he went right back out and finished the set. Doing his best to put on a good show even though he had to of felt like crap. My teenage self was very impressed.
@sphereious1 They didn't make it because they weren't a hair band like Motley Crue, Ratt, Poison, etc... That was all the rage then. SMILE kicked ass. Remember "Maybe Baby" and "Loose Ends"? Man, they rocked at the Troubadour and everywhere else they played. Go see Jim Volpe at First Cabin in Arcadia. He plays there 4 nights a week. Still a great drummer and singer.
I worked for SMILE the last three years. They were great people and fantastic musicians. Unfortunately, back then it was more who you knew instead of how talented you were. I have the video from the Whiskey. I don't think it has Crybaby. I have most of the songs on CD though.
Man this band was the shiznitz at the time. From what I heard, they had several labels that wanted to sign them and they chose the wrong one and pissed off all the other labels so they got black balled. Not sure if it's true but when they finally came out with an album it was a little too late and they slowed down the album to make Scotty Waller's vocals not quite as high pitched. Unfortunately ended up being the end of them. I heard the singer Scotty Waller ended up becoming a roadie. What a shame. He had major charisma and loved his voice. Wish I could find more footage of them
Holy Trinity? SMILE??? I don't think so, guys.....not by a long shot! The only thing you could describe as a "trinity" back then were the three clubs that every band worth his guitar strings wanted to headline. The Starwood, The Whisky and the Roxy...talk about your triple crown, boy...if you got a choice spot at even one of these temples of rock n roll you were on your way. To snag all three....the only thing you could say is .recording contract, here we come!
![KSI - Dirty [Official Visualiser]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/VoDh1h1dPUE/mqdefault.jpg)
Middle age man on RUclips reliving the best time and place in metal history. Sunset strip 79-89
God, I Love this song! I was one of the lucky ones to be there !!
Just watched an interview of Todd Kerns interviewing Gilby Clarke. Gilby says he remembers this band at the time and says he thought they blew everyone away, but sadly never got a record deal. That's what brought me here.
I went San Gabriel High, class of ‘80. Saw these dudes in a bunch of back yards and clubs. Great live band. Love Simpletones and StepMothers, Shake Shakes. So many good bands
Awww, truly the soundtrack of my teens. When I was in Little Tokyo I had the opportunity to open up for & get to know the band back before their 1st & only Album was released, Scooter. One of the best frontman that strutted the stage, and the sweetest guy. I have & enjoy all the recorded music they ever recorded, those Demos are priceless to me. Cry Baby one of my Fav's. Long live smile
Scott what can I say you gave me the best night of my life. You invited me to come with you to your show at madame Wongs west in Santa Monica. You guys were the closing act. I'll never forget that night I got to hang with you the whole night you guys kicked ass. Too young to fully appreciate what I was seeing. Found this on the internet I'm appreciating you now you had such great music. Thank you for giving me the first class treatment. I'll never forget it. You were straight up very cool for inviting me to a night out with SMILE! Finally heard your album hey would I come all the up here to lie to you the records a hit! Seriously from one musician to another it's very well done. I'm glad I finally got to hear it. Your voice is so awesome boy you can sing and you sing very well. It's engineered very well great quality great sound. Just a kick ass record from beginning to end. All great songs.
Hi Dennis, Thanks for this post. Back in 1983 when I was living in Santa Maria I got together with a guitar player who had grown up in Los Angeles listening to the local licks local artist program on I think it was KLOS. When he moved up to Santa Maria and we started putting our band together he brought out a cassette tape they had recordings from Warrior- Fighting for the Earth, and Smile-Radio Act of Love. I love both bands but Smile was special. My friend told me that they were immensely popular on the club circuit and had been around since the late '70s and were sure to get signed in the burgeoning LA Rock scene of the early '80s. Well as we both know they did not get signed until they won the all LA Battle of the bands in I think it was 1984 and finally got signed to MCA Curb Records. Of course the label dropped the ball and didn't promote them the way they should and so we never got to see what they could really do. But, I bought their debut offering on vinyl and cassette. And still listen to it even today. There's just one thing that drives me crazy, I cannot understand what Scottie Waller is saying for the lyrics in Loose Ends. I've tried reaching out to the former band members like Tony Pacheco and Tommy Girvin forgot no response and I was unable to find any contact information for Scott. So just for curiosity sake, I thought I would ask you if you know how to reach him and if you think he might be willing to share the lyrics for that song? I know this was a long message, and I'm not sure it will even reach you, but if it does, I'd love to hear back from you. Thank you so much.
One of the biggest drawing bands in Hollywood at this time and into the early 80's.. Along with "Ala Carte" & "Quiet Riot"
We followed Smile all over in 78-79. We saw them at Starwood and Van Halen every week! Went from the Disco into the Rock room and met Blondie, and were there the night Aerosmith played under a false name. I always thought Smile should have been signed over Van Halen. Forgot the drummers name but really loved that band.
The drummers name was Jimmy Volpe!! He helped me with some of my drum licks.
I'd love to hear more Smile! Cry Baby, Birthday, and so many more. Miss them so much!!
They played all over the place in the Pasadena area back in the day! Good Times!
Worked for Smile
I remember when they played at my high school's (St Francis in La Canada) "dances" back in the late 70's.
It was so great being an LA kid!! Loved them!!!
I was at the Woodsound in Monrovia and saw Smile and Quiet Riot perform there when I was 17
In the late 70's I was a high school kid from the Valley who would trek on over the hill to watch these guys play at the Starwood. I loved this band. I might have been at this show, I remember the "Do we have any lovers in the crowd?" thing. We'd go to Badaxe shows too. Saw Quiet Riot with RR blow up the house sound system at a club in Northridge. Yes those were the days my friends.
Somebody remembers Bad Axe. Saw them at the Starwood after reading about them in a magazine called Raw Power.
Just saw tommy girvin with eddie money 9 2 12 NYS fair he sign the smile LP i had ,he said that this first time in along time seen one He don't have one any more! we talk what a nice person .Killer on guitar..
Damn, the good old days.. I loved these guys, and all the great backyard bands of Pasadena! I can't find my Smile album or tape!
Wow! Life then was such a blur. Starwood, Woodsound, Pookies in Pasadena, Oddfellows lodge... then thet es tge Hollywood list. Smile always packed em in but those years will always belong to good 'ol back yard parties. Grew up in Rosemead and went to San Gabriel til '80. It was a time no other can replicate. I don't miss the "blur" though.
Used to see them at the Woodstock in Anaheim. Great band, loved Tommy's playing.
you have to add SNOW to the Pasadena gangs...another great band from the SG Valley!
Oh yes Snow was a great and loved Steven Quattro I think on drums. Followed Carlos into Quiet Riot and then left LA.
After that vocal intro, when they ease into that melodic lead gtr line . . . ooooh man that's the stuff
How did these guys never hit the big time? Saw them many times at the Starwood, Odd Fellows Hall in Pasadena, PCC etc.
They played at so many of my high school dances in the 70's and 80's (Temple City), they were awesome!
+Laura Hodges Hello Laura Dodd. Just still love SMILE. Saw them Almost every chance I got, all over Hollywood, Pasadena but Temple City was the best place.. at our dances! Thanks Smile
Just ran across this video… Responding to comments that were left eight years ago… But what the hell.
I graduated from Temple city class of 75… I knew Scott pretty well… Ran into him at a mini reunion at the Crest a couple years back
But you are right!! Being a teenager in Southern California in the mid 70s was as good as could possibly be.
Anybody remember the cops use to bust the party with the helicopter… Then down to Bob’s big boy on Camino Real and Baldwin.
Got to see smile and Van Halen in backyard on hot summer LA nights.
I had just moved to Temple City as a junior in 1973 From, San Francisco Bay area… It was the best thing that ever happened to me.
As my best friend, Jim Spink (RIP) would say it was a beautiful thing
@@bobbest8627 I was class of 81, had Smile play a lot of dances, but Van Halen was too big at that point so never got to see them play. It was a magical place, and a magical time.
what a great song.
They played at my High school, Arroyo in El Monte, at an after football game dance (circa 82-83) they kicked ass!
I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY SMILE NEVER MADE IT BIG...REALLY BIG
THEY TRULY DESERVED IT- HIT SONG HIT SONG HIT SONG...WOW...
SCOTTY WAS THE FRONT MAN EXTRAORDINAIRE AND THE REST OF THE BAND...Well, just listen to this live recording... SMILE 4EVER!
Gonna have to get my Smile recordings up here somehow. Got alot of them. Long live Scotty Waller, Tommy Girvin, Jimmy Volpe, forgot the bass player! lol
MoparGeorge1 Dave Grammer..
MoparGeorge1 don't worry, I always forget the bass players name in every band lol
Dave Grammer on bass
Please post more of thesee gigs!! Really great stuff.
OMG .. Brings back memories .. Good times.... Miss their melody and can't find the one album they made back in the 80' s
my favorite song was Dollar Bills
used to see them every time they played, even saw them at Rosemead High School
planet10 still have one of those dollars in a box somewhere!
Nope sorry disagree, best song was Maybe Baby, Celebrity, Hollywood!!!!
Just heard Vince Neil talking about this band on serious radio. He loved watching this band play and wasn't sure why they didn't make it.
I keep reading "why didn't they make it big" in the comment's. As far as musical competence is concerned they should have been huge. Great live band. Fantastic.
But when the album came out seems something basic was missing. I worked at a record store so I had a copy right away. But it sounded terrible. Whatever magic they had live didn't transfer to vinyl. Seems whoever produced the album is to blame. Such fantastic energy is completely lost.
Thanks for posting this vid. Makes me sad yet smile at the same time.
I used to hang out with these guys back then. Singer's name was Scotty and I knew then Tommy was a great guitarist. You shoulda heard him do Zep or Helter Skelter. I found their album at a yardsale years later and called and found out from his sister that Tommy was on the road with Eddie Money. Talented good people!!!
Danny what were u thinking?, lol, I grew up with them, BEST GUYS IN THE WORLD, GOD BLESS SKIPPER, MY BROTHER FOREVER!!🤗
I grew up with Skip ,R.I.P
Does anyone have Smile's version of Heard it Through the Grapevine??? So bluesy and awesome!
LOL was there that night.
I'm not totally sure if this is the show that or not, but I believe that it is. 1979 was my senior year in high school, and I got the chance to be Tommy's "guitar tech" (roadie) for about 6-9 months or so. And, if this is the Starwood gig that I was at, and I believe it is, which would have been a Showcase show (possibly for record execs to check them out?) and at that show, (which the band Dubrow opened for them, as they were previously Quiet Riot, and then again later, Quiet Riot)
Anyway, the part where Scott (Waller, Vocals) disappeared behind the drum kit was because he was feeling very Sick and came over the my side of the stage (behind Tommy's Marshall Amps) and actually Threw up in a trash can and then, he looked at me and said "How's it going" and then he went right back out and finished the set. Doing his best to put on a good show even though he had to of felt like crap. My teenage self was very impressed.
@MrTamaguy AWESOME about Jimmy! I will do it! ... Another Smile song "Send a Letter to the President?" and what about the band CLONE?
Clone was great
Well I can see where David Lee Roth stole some signature moves. Dave were you in the crowd that night? Just heard of Smile today.
@sphereious1 They didn't make it because they weren't a hair band like Motley Crue, Ratt, Poison, etc... That was all the rage then. SMILE kicked ass. Remember "Maybe Baby" and "Loose Ends"? Man, they rocked at the Troubadour and everywhere else they played. Go see Jim Volpe at First Cabin in Arcadia. He plays there 4 nights a week. Still a great drummer and singer.
Anyone remember the Woodsound?
these guys were great. someone please post "Crybaby" by them.
Wow..wish I grew up there..NY had a good music scene but the weather ruined 6 months of the year.
I worked for SMILE the last three years. They were great people and fantastic musicians. Unfortunately, back then it was more who you knew instead of how talented you were. I have the video from the Whiskey. I don't think it has Crybaby. I have most of the songs on CD though.
I would love to get my hands on the lyrics for Loose Ends! No matter how hard I try I can't seem to decipher the lyrics 😔
Can anyone post Crybaby, their best song.
Think it's about 60 minutes in, enjoy :-) Smile at the Starwood, Hollywood CA 1-29-79 ruclips.net/video/ItlAw8c_8gM/видео.html
@@dennisandvicki thanks. Great band
Hit me up on Facebook and I will send you links for their LP AND Demos with Jimmy Volpe on drums. Good stuff!
I was there every weekend watchin this, right after ALA CARTE, who were better lol
What about Ala carte?, an quiet riot back then, oh yea an 707!👍
Saw them all! 3 great bands live! So lucky to have been around back then! 🎶😍🎶
Hey this Smile band was better than the first one with Queens Brian May and Roger Taylor
Do you think?
Don't forget Snow with Carlos cavaso
and the bass player is married to Vicente Fernandez' God daughter
Man this band was the shiznitz at the time. From what I heard, they had several labels that wanted to sign them and they chose the wrong one and pissed off all the other labels so they got black balled. Not sure if it's true but when they finally came out with an album it was a little too late and they slowed down the album to make Scotty Waller's vocals not quite as high pitched. Unfortunately ended up being the end of them. I heard the singer Scotty Waller ended up becoming a roadie. What a shame. He had major charisma and loved his voice. Wish I could find more footage of them
Holy Trinity? SMILE??? I don't think so, guys.....not by a long shot! The only thing you could describe as a "trinity" back then were the three clubs that every band worth his guitar strings wanted to headline. The Starwood, The Whisky and the Roxy...talk about your triple crown, boy...if you got a choice spot at even one of these temples of rock n roll you were on your way. To snag all three....the only thing you could say is .recording contract, here we come!