The perfect follow-up to the renowned debut album by Tashi Dorji, Chris Smith’s Bad Orchestra will be the second release on Ben Chasny’s Hermit Hut Records. Smith exists in the adventurous musician nethersphere; hailed by followers, unknown to most. Though he has released a few solo albums, has played in bands like The Golden Lifestyle Band and Library Punx, and has co-released recordings with Peter Jefferies, his only release outside of his country was 2002’sMap Ends: 1995-2001 (Emperor Jones). Bad Orchestra is from 2007, and beyond a small CD run on Death Valley, didn’t get the opportunity to turn heads. Thankfully, Hermit Hut has taken on the mission of releasing vinyl of this impossible-to-find album.
Bad Orchestra is Smith’s masterpiece, a maelstrom of expansive guitar, abstract sound, sound collage and full out rocking. Recorded with a band, the album touches many tangents while converging as a glorious whole. Inspired, surprisingly enough, by The Germs, Smith set about to creating music as a solution to his own inner turmoil at the time. He captures an essential rawness on par with Jim Shepard. The soundscapes of clashes and contrasts make sense.
Bad Orchestra is an assault that is wrought with skill. Every listen unearths new treasures and dynamics.
Hear “Living Dead Blues” off Bad Orchestra: https://soundcloud.com/hermit-hut-records/chris-smith-living-dead-blues
Download Chris Smith press kit here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9t1qfpjersq4gg5/Chris%20Smith%20Press%20Materials.zip?dl=0
Pre-Order Bad Orchestra at the Hermit Hut site: www.sixorgans.com/hermit-hut-records/
