Smile

In the mid-1980s, Michael Rosas (<a href="spotify:artist:08kBVKcsUvEWdkScE2HF75" data-name="Satisfaction">Satisfaction</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3lC0tZK18F1Cp65q03DAkN" data-name="Headfirst">Headfirst</a>) and Aaron Sonnenberg (<a href="spotify:artist:2SMaoVGx4QGW9HpbYR7P7x" data-name="intafaze">intafaze</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3lC0tZK18F1Cp65q03DAkN" data-name="Headfirst">Headfirst</a>) met at Woodbridge High School in Irvine, CA. They were bandmates of Orange County&#39;s, Headfirst, along with Kevin Murphy (<a href="spotify:artist:670pAU7IluScLNL90VyGVp" data-name="Farside">Farside</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:5X0Qkzq1UuIA61bUqbbDjs" data-name="411">411</a>). After an early incarnation of Smile with Rob Gonzalez and Kevin Murphy, Rosas and Sonnenberg placed an ad in the Recycler classifieds for a drummer and Scott Reeder (<a href="spotify:artist:1TKaUU8ooBgSW9TlyKsw6k" data-name="Fu Manchu">Fu Manchu</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:7Ad5nS6pHQKhce0SAJbcQ0" data-name="Jacket Thief">Jacket Thief</a>) joined the band in 1992 which completed the lineup for the next seven years as a trio.


Encompassing genres of both grunge and psychedelic rock, Smile’s sound has been quoted as “heavy sludge with great pop hooks.”


They had modest radio hits on KLOS, KROQ and 91 X with songs such as STARING AT THE SUN from MAQUEE and INSTANT BRAIN DAMAGE from their second album GIRL CRUSHES BOY, produced by Mark Trombino (<a href="spotify:artist:6FBDaR13swtiWwGhX1WQsP" data-name="blink-182">blink-182</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3Ayl7mCk0nScecqOzvNp6s" data-name="Jimmy Eat World">Jimmy Eat World</a>).


They signed under Headhunter, a San Diego-based label, and Atlantic in 1994, but left Atlantic during the recording sessions of their second album, due to a growing resistance the band felt towards the label. They remained under Headhunter and in 1998, original band member, Aaron Sonnenberg left and was replaced by Bob Thomson (<a href="spotify:artist:3qfEtYnFVXuOnXBqKS4hnH" data-name="Big Drill Car">Big Drill Car</a>) on bass. In 1999, the band added keyboardist Matt Fletcher. In 2001, Scott Reeder left the band to join <a href="spotify:artist:1TKaUU8ooBgSW9TlyKsw6k" data-name="Fu Manchu">Fu Manchu</a> and was replaced by Matt&#39;s brother, <a href="spotify:artist:2kkfjjY5pTdHbjLJdHzI7e" data-name="James Fletcher">James Fletcher</a> on drums.


In 2013/2014 Smile reunited to play a handful shows in San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles.