Background

Rosas and Sonnenberg, who were both attending Woodbridge High School, formed Smile in 1992. After placing an advertisement in Recycler for a drummer, they found Reeder, which completed the bands lineup for the next seven years as a trio. Encompassing genres of both grunge

Grunge

Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...

 and psychedelic rock, they released their first album, called Resin. Smile did not emerge out of Orange County until 1995, off of the success of their album Maquee.
The style of music of Smile has been described as "rage-filled rock" with "scraping guitars and screaming vocals". Some of their influences include The Kinks

The Kinks

The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...

, The Melvins

The Melvins

The Melvins are an American band that formed in 1983. They usually perform as a trio, but in recent years have performed as a four piece with two drummers. Since 1984, singer and guitarist Buzz Osborne and drummer Dale Crover have been the band's constant members...

, early Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...

, and The Seeds

The Seeds

The Seeds were an American rock band. The group, whose repertoire spread between garage rock and acid rock, are considered one of the pioneers of punk rock.-History:...

. They signed under Headhunter, a San Diego based label, and Atlantic

Atlantic Records

Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...

 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. In 1999, the band added keyboardist Matt Fletcher

Maquee

On July 18, 1995 Smile released their album Maquee

Maquee

Maquee is an album by Smile. It was released by Atlantic on July 18, 1995.-Background:Smile had originally finished recording the album by September 1994, and it was released under the San Diego based label Headhunter. Their album caught the attention of Atlantic records, and Smile was soon offered...

, which had been completed the previous year, September 1994. The first single off of their album was "Staring at the sun", which received airplay on the radio, and charted on College Music Journal

College Music Journal

College Music Journal, commonly known as CMJ, is a music events/publishing company which hosts an annual festival in New York City, the CMJ Music Marathon, as well as a weekly magazine of and for the music industry and college radio stations in the United States and Canada. It publishes top 30...

's Metal chart in November 1995. Following the release of the album, Smile toured with the band Inch.

Girl Crushes Boy

Their followup album Boy Crushes Girl was released in 1998, under Cargo and Headhunter.

Members

• Fletcher, Jamesdrums (1999–2003)
• Fletcher, Mattkeyboard (1999–2003)
• Reeder, Scottdrums (1992–1999)
• Rosas, Mike
• Sonnenberg, Aaronbass guitar (1992–1998)
• Thompson, Bobbass guitar (1998–2003)
• Information on band members.

Discography

• Smile1994
• Maquee
  Maquee
  Maquee is an album by Smile. It was released by Atlantic on July 18, 1995.-Background:Smile had originally finished recording the album by September 1994, and it was released under the San Diego based label Headhunter. Their album caught the attention of Atlantic records, and Smile was soon offered...
  
  1995
• Girl Crushes Boy1998
• Album Information.

Sources

CMJ New Music Monthly]]|date=November 1995|issue=27|pages=60|publisher=CMJ Network, Inc|issn=1074-6978}}CMJ New Music Report]]|date=November 2, 1998|volume=56|issue=594|pages=104|publisher=CMJ Network, Inc|issn=0890-0795}}CMJ New Music Monthly]]|date=August 1995|issue=24|pages=60|publisher=CMJ Network, Inc|issn=1074-6978}}