Les Smith
Encyclopedia
Les 'Lecter' Smith is an English keyboard player. He originally did session work on keyboards for the British
band Anathema
on their 1996 album Eternity before joining extreme metal
band Cradle of Filth
. During his time in Cradle of Filth (1997–1999), his stage persona consisted of wearing a custom Vicar
Priest
top, black leather trousers and goth
make-up. He played keyboards
in two of Cradle's releases: Cruelty and the Beast
and From the Cradle to Enslave
. Les Smith was also a member (along with drummer Mike Heaton, guitar Mince, & vocals by Stag & Azzy), of the riotous band The Tourettes
, which in turn was a spin off from the highly controversial Batley based thug band "The Healey Beats". Post-Cradle of Filth, he accused only original band member Dani Filth
of considering it his own solo project ("Dani and the Filths" he jokes). Les, like many other Cradle members, is from the north of England, and has appeared in video and interview on Cradle of Filth's 1999 DVD 'Pandaemonaeon'.
After his stint in Cradle of Filth, he rejoined Anathema for their 2001 album A Fine Day To Exit
. But then he left the band in 2011. The Anathema's official site announced his departure in 13 September due to "creative and musical differences".
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
band Anathema
Anathema (band)
Anathema are an English band from Liverpool primarily known for their ever evolving sound. Beginning as pioneers of the death/doom metal sub-genre, their later albums have been associated with genres such as alternative rock, progressive rock, art rock, new prog, and post-rock.-History:Anathema...
on their 1996 album Eternity before joining extreme metal
Extreme metal
Extreme metal is a loosely defined umbrella term for a number of related heavy metal music subgenres that have developed since the early 1980s. The term usually refers to a more abrasive, harsher, underground, non-commercialized style or sound nearly always associated with genres like black metal,...
band Cradle of Filth
Cradle of Filth
Cradle of Filth are an English extreme metal band, formed in Suffolk in 1991. The band's musical style evolved from black metal to a cleaner and more "produced" amalgam of gothic metal, symphonic black metal, and other extreme metal styles, while their lyrical themes and imagery are heavily...
. During his time in Cradle of Filth (1997–1999), his stage persona consisted of wearing a custom Vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
Priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
top, black leather trousers and goth
Goth subculture
The goth subculture is a contemporary subculture found in many countries. It began in England during the early 1980s in the gothic rock scene, an offshoot of the post-punk genre. The goth subculture has survived much longer than others of the same era, and has continued to diversify...
make-up. He played keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
in two of Cradle's releases: Cruelty and the Beast
Cruelty and the Beast
Cruelty and the Beast is the third studio album by English extreme metal band Cradle of Filth. It is a concept album based on the legend of the Hungarian "blood countess" Elizabeth Báthory...
and From the Cradle to Enslave
From the Cradle to Enslave
From the Cradle to Enslave is an EP by Cradle of Filth. It contains two original tracks; the title track and "Of Dark Blood and Fucking". The rest of the disc consists of two cover versions and a re-recording of a track from the album Dusk... and Her Embrace...
. Les Smith was also a member (along with drummer Mike Heaton, guitar Mince, & vocals by Stag & Azzy), of the riotous band The Tourettes
Tourettes (band)
Tourettes is a heavy metal band from Sydney, Australia founded in January 2000. Their style has been described as "a mixture of hardcore, nu-metal and other elements to create an apoplectic and eclectic noise."...
, which in turn was a spin off from the highly controversial Batley based thug band "The Healey Beats". Post-Cradle of Filth, he accused only original band member Dani Filth
Dani Filth
Dani Filth is the lyricist, vocalist and founding member of the metal band Cradle of Filth.-Personal life:...
of considering it his own solo project ("Dani and the Filths" he jokes). Les, like many other Cradle members, is from the north of England, and has appeared in video and interview on Cradle of Filth's 1999 DVD 'Pandaemonaeon'.
After his stint in Cradle of Filth, he rejoined Anathema for their 2001 album A Fine Day To Exit
A Fine Day to Exit
A Fine Day to Exit is an album by the British alternative rock band Anathema. It was released on October 9, 2001 through Music For Nations.The album is a major stylistic departure from Anathema's previous releases...
. But then he left the band in 2011. The Anathema's official site announced his departure in 13 September due to "creative and musical differences".