Funny Band Name, Quasi-Funny Band

I am of course referring to my friend/old roommate Mike's band, Smascius Clay (also known sometimes as Smascius Clay and The Awesomists). They used to call themselves Cleaver Groveland, but for some reason, that name just didn't work out. Now you'd think that with a name like Smascius Clay, the band may be funny on-stage. I saw them October 26th, and I can tell you they were funny, with before, during and after-song banter between the members. The line-up: Scott drums and takes photos and does other things for Radio K, Gord plays guitar and screams like no other, Noel plays guitar and sings emotionally, and Mike rocks out and plays bass. Now that you have the background, I can say that the humor was part joking and part sociocommentary; that is a wonderfrul combination, for you entertain and educate.

Onto the music, the band's love of emo, screamo (especially Alexisonfire) and post-hardcore makes for an interesting mix of songs and sounds. Gord loves to scream hardcore lyrics and Noel loves to croon at times, and at other times, pour his heart out through intense lyrics concerning relationships and heartbreak, a coup d' tate (sorry Lee, if I butchered the spelling of said French phrase) among emo music. They played enough songs to get a good feel of their sound and presence, ending with a slow, mid-tempo quasi-ballad. The sound was what I figured knowing the interests and influences the band has/had. I'd see them again, and overall, not bad for their 1st gig. And at The Triple Rock too! Nice way to start out things.