on july 8th, 1999, george smith set out to answer some of my questions for this exclusive interview. he was, as always, deep and funny. check it out

gina: when did you first decide you wanted to get into music? was there a defining moment?
george smith: hard to say. I mean i know i was always into music even when i was like 5 or something. SO i think it's like always been in my blood or something. I guess I'm either one of those majorly creative people, or need music to express oneself..or most likley both   

gina: who influenced you musically?      
           smith: That list would be huge....I'll try to think of the more major ones. Growing up I was more into bands like Rush,Pink Floyd and Yes,and was more interested in becoming an awesome guitarist as i didnt think my singing was all that hot. SO i guess I spent alot of time listening to Mark Knophler (he's great for feeling) Steve Vai, George Lynch, Joe Satriani...basically alot of shredders from the 80's, but then I'd have to say that NO, i'm more into songwritting then guitar soloing, so Trent reznor is a Huge HUGE influence of mine. from the way he can take strange noizez and make them music to the way he can pour his soul into every song. Lately, at least with the more recent songs that I write..I'm more influenced by life...my life I guess, or lack there of... I think I've devolped my own type of sound in a weird way...though when u dig deep enough you can always notice the influences   

gina: what was your first concert?          
       smith: dont laugh...... it was E.L.O   I didnt even like them, but it was like $8 and i was about 14 or 15....was just an excuse to get out and do something "cool"   

gina: what was the first cd you ever bought?  
smith: I'm not sure about CD. my first album was Led Zeppelin 4...I dug stairway to heaven....if i ever hear that song again, i SWEAR I'll open fire and kill countless inocent people =)   

gina: if there was one message you'd want to send across through your music, what would it be?     
            smith: hmmmm, this is a tough one. uhm.. Im not really sure. I've talked to tons of fans who tell me they relate to my songs on a very personal level. Sometimes I'm not so sure if they understand exactly where I'm comming from, but each tends to their own pain in their own way I suppose. I think I'd liek to say that...yeah...I'm here ,and if I can help u thru something majorly bad in your life, then Im glad...which is true....but i think all in all, my music is my own pains, and if people can relate...then great, but I think I'm just here to write songs to the lost freaks out there, who dont feel they belong...I dunno, maybe it's ok to feel the pain a little sometimes.... I cant answer this one...sorry =(   

gina: could you see yourself doing something besides music?       
          smith: Ive always wanted to join the circus, and marry the bearded lady, and spend all my nights shaving the bitch down...does that count?   

gina: how do you feel about your music?        
        smith: I can sit and listen to my music endlessly. it's like ..Im one of my favortie artists. Of course i dont mean to be big headed....alot of times i listen to my stuff and critique it worse than anyone else... but after i put soo much raw emotion into my songs, anfd can liosten to it months later.... i do sit back, get goosebumps, and am very proud of my work.... you gotta be...especially when so many other people can relate...and feel it too   

gina: whats your favorite song from "fragments of the splinter" and why?      
smith: this is easy....its "falling from the moon" I could listen to it for hours over n over...at the time, i thought it was mybest lyrically...i stillthinks one of my tops, but that song sums up a whole bunch loads of my life in general...i luv that song, and what it means...   

gina: whats your favorite song from "sew it shut" and why?  
   smith: "a better place?"   for almost the same reasons as above...i think its my best written piece of music to date, and of course, i put more feeling into that song , then any song ever...i wont go into more on it now....maybe one day...but the song is quite self-explanatory "...i think that you know what I'm getting at"   

gina: how do you think you've grown on "sew it shut"?
     smith: Well i defintaely tried newer things as far as recording went..so i matured in my abiltiy to record and try new things that i didnt do on "fragments" but from a writting point of view..I think mainly all the songs are...for the most part, pretty down...I wrote that whole cd from a very depressed stand point in my life...listening to most of that cd brings back wretching memories.   

gina: what are your views on music today?         
       smith: I dunno, i still like the bands that arent as radio popular....I think bands today are given shafty music deals....here one day...gone the next....never wanna be one of those....im lloking for a healthy underground/indie career where my fans are loyal....kind-a how it is now  

 gina: how would you best describe what type of people your fans are?  
    smith: all types I guess..the true fans...not the groupie pigs, are mostly the freaks and goths,but some are quite avg. in appearence..not that that means anything, but are fans i think are the ones that are lost...and just need that push ...or maybe jsut that word to say...fuck everyone else...the world sucks...dont change for them or anyone...i dunno...   

gina: whats your goal for the future, what do you hope to accomplish?
    smith: to at least have the band become more n more popular over the years. maybe,well hopefully find the love of my life..and at least have some happiness...if not..i'll drudge thru this world writting n writting.

  gina: anything else you wanna add or say to the people reading this?
smith: Uhm..no..[laughs]. but i guess...Im pretty misunderstood...its hard to get whats in your head on paper..or in words sometimes...im sure everyone can relate...so i just hope i nailed some of these questions...i know a few i just couldnt get exactly what i wanted out...sorry.