The interview is with Ed S*M*A*S*H
Present yourself to the readers
Since recording the album Goodbye Welwyn Garden City Salv has left the band. We now have a new bass player called Simon (who also went to school in W.G.C.) S*M*A*S*H are Ed guitar/vocals. Rob drums. Salv bass/bv’s We all grew up and went to school in Welwyn Garden City We have been together since 1984 a lot has happened…. We released 2 singles in 1993 Real Surreal / Drugs Again / Rev 3 and Shame / Lady Love Your Cunt In 1994 we signed to Hi-Rise records and released an album Self Abused. We also made a single with Sub Pop. We have had 2 further albums Icon and (Without Regret)
Who composes ?...How does it work in the band ?
Ed writes the songs and brings them to the band where Rob and Salv add their own parts.
Who writes the texts ?..What are they talking about ?..How does inspiration come?
Ed writes all the words. I write about my life, what’s going on around me, my friends, lovers, children, parents, what I perceive as injusDces. What I’m made of my history. Love and death. Loss. InspiraDon comes from living and observing, commenDng and playing the guitar … Singing words to tunes and finding new words. InspiraDon is oIen from the universe but someDmes from hard work.
Why the name S.M.A.S.H ?
We used to be called Smash at The Blues which got shortened to Smash and Rob (S*M*A*S*H drummer) added the *** stars
What are your personal musical tastes and your influences ?
On this album in the song ‘I Thought I Was Right’ It’s The Velvet Underground, Blondie, The Doors, The Rolling Stones. The Dtle track Goodbye W.G.C. references The Stranglers, The Clash and Big Audio Dynamite.
What's your opinion about the current music scene in U.K ?
I don’t really know anything about the ‘current music scene in the U.K.’ or anywhere else .. I listen to songs on youtube.. SpoDfy and iTunes.
What's your best live memory ? And why ?
Somewhere in Reading in late 1993 with The Nubiles there was no one there other than the 2 bands and a dog…. I enjoyed being with Rob and Salv that night I thought we played well. AND The night club Heaven on September 11th 2015 with These Animal Men. This was the gig for the documentary Flawed is BeauDful the venue was full it was amazing… really amazing….
