Bring Me Everything
Those that grew up watching the 90’s teen comedy TV show Big Wolf On Campus may remember the lovable fantasy geek Merton Dingle, played by multitalented Canadian actor Danny Smith. Smith, after acting in numerous shows and movies, realized his real love, music, and pursued it with a passion. After being in a string of bands, striking out on his own for a solo album, and finally striking gold with a successful emo-indie band called The City Drive, Smith found his niche with the Warped Tour crowd (of which he is a two time veteran) and now plays to sold out crowds at major concert halls in and around Los Angeles where the band is hard at work recording their latest LP.
Above: The City Drive (Smith, third from left)
Kit: How has your musical life evolved (from band to solo career to band)
since your acting career?
Danny Smith: I've been in so many bands with so many members at this point but I
feel like I've finally found some good guys (Marc, Chris, Jake) to play
with. I hope we're together for 50 years.
K: When did you know that you wanted to make the crossover from acting to
music and what?was the real kickstart to your musical career?
DS: I was always in bands growing up and wanted to purse both acting and
music. Acting took off first and once I made some money, I put acting
on hold to focus on rocking full time. I guess the kickstart to my
musical career was recording a 12-song album with my own money (and a
friend's), shopping it in LA and landing a publishing deal with Famous
Music, now Sony/ATV.
K: Who has been your biggest influence in putting together The City Drive?
DS: NO one influenced me or the band specifically but I love bands like
Blur/Gorillaz/The Good The Bad and The Queen, Radiohead, Bowie,
Beatles, Interpol, Beck, so many...
K: You've been heralded as "poppy, catchy indie-rock" but how would YOU
describe your sound?
DS: All of that is true for the TCD songs released so far. I'm not sure which direction we'll head in next. Some songs I've written are classical, some are hip hop and there's everything else in between. Stay tuned...!
K: Name the top three songs that have changed your life.
DS: Impossible to answer, but I'll say:
1. Surf's Up (the Brian Wilson solo piano demo version found on the Good
Vibrations Box Set)
2. Strawberry Fields Forever (The Beatles)
3. Paranoid Android (Radiohead)
K: What are you currently working on?
DS: Recovering from a personally painful 2007 and trying to write the best
album ever, to be released in 2008.
The City Drive's 'Always Moving Never Stopping' is available on Itunes now.
Above: The City Drive (Smith, third from left)
Kit: How has your musical life evolved (from band to solo career to band)
since your acting career?
Danny Smith: I've been in so many bands with so many members at this point but I
feel like I've finally found some good guys (Marc, Chris, Jake) to play
with. I hope we're together for 50 years.
K: When did you know that you wanted to make the crossover from acting to
music and what?was the real kickstart to your musical career?
DS: I was always in bands growing up and wanted to purse both acting and
music. Acting took off first and once I made some money, I put acting
on hold to focus on rocking full time. I guess the kickstart to my
musical career was recording a 12-song album with my own money (and a
friend's), shopping it in LA and landing a publishing deal with Famous
Music, now Sony/ATV.
K: Who has been your biggest influence in putting together The City Drive?
DS: NO one influenced me or the band specifically but I love bands like
Blur/Gorillaz/The Good The Bad and The Queen, Radiohead, Bowie,
Beatles, Interpol, Beck, so many...
K: You've been heralded as "poppy, catchy indie-rock" but how would YOU
describe your sound?
DS: All of that is true for the TCD songs released so far. I'm not sure which direction we'll head in next. Some songs I've written are classical, some are hip hop and there's everything else in between. Stay tuned...!
K: Name the top three songs that have changed your life.
DS: Impossible to answer, but I'll say:
1. Surf's Up (the Brian Wilson solo piano demo version found on the Good
Vibrations Box Set)
2. Strawberry Fields Forever (The Beatles)
3. Paranoid Android (Radiohead)
K: What are you currently working on?
DS: Recovering from a personally painful 2007 and trying to write the best
album ever, to be released in 2008.
The City Drive's 'Always Moving Never Stopping' is available on Itunes now.
posted by Kit "Blanche Deveraux" @ 3:57 PM
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