In winter 2000, the band came together for the first time as Smudge Proof. Determined to break from the sounds of their previous project, they embarked on an intense, disciplined practice schedule. After months of isolation, Smudge Proof judiciously selected a few Baltimore venues to showcase their achievements. Encouraged by audience response from live shows, promotional CD's and Internet exposure, they decided the time was right for a full-length album. While working on their new CD, live performances will be few, but after its release in spring 2002 they will begin a more aggressive live schedule. Although usually classified under the alternative rock genre, Smudge Proof combines elements of funk, grunge, punk and hard rock into a seamless mix that is a sound all their own.
You gotta love it…
Rusty Nail Millenium Music Conference 2001 Review
by Cara Daniels
The fifth Annual Millenium Music Conference brought out all the talent this weekend. In just one evening at the Rusty Nail in Harrisburg the audience was treated to an array of new music that varied from alterna- funk pop to hard-core modern rock.
Owings Mills, MD's Smudgeproof has a stage full of raw talent. Steve Segal makes serious percussion look easy as he manages definitive rhythms and creative synthesizer use, particularly in 'Robot' and 'Seagulls'. Only the light of vocalist-bassist Chris Tolentino silhouettes Segal. With a razored voice, Tolentino belts out the band's unusual lyrics while offhandedly executing proficiency on bass, yet it's not until you hear 'Think It Over' that you realize the strength of Tolentino's vocals. Tossing some spice into Smudgeproof's sound is the guitar efforts of James Halsey, adding an electric pizzazz to 'Insane' and 'What I Want'. Still young, Smudgeproof is a volcano of potential just waiting to explode.
You gotta love it…
Rusty Nail Millenium Music Conference 2001 Review
by Cara Daniels
The fifth Annual Millenium Music Conference brought out all the talent this weekend. In just one evening at the Rusty Nail in Harrisburg the audience was treated to an array of new music that varied from alterna- funk pop to hard-core modern rock.
Owings Mills, MD's Smudgeproof has a stage full of raw talent. Steve Segal makes serious percussion look easy as he manages definitive rhythms and creative synthesizer use, particularly in 'Robot' and 'Seagulls'. Only the light of vocalist-bassist Chris Tolentino silhouettes Segal. With a razored voice, Tolentino belts out the band's unusual lyrics while offhandedly executing proficiency on bass, yet it's not until you hear 'Think It Over' that you realize the strength of Tolentino's vocals. Tossing some spice into Smudgeproof's sound is the guitar efforts of James Halsey, adding an electric pizzazz to 'Insane' and 'What I Want'. Still young, Smudgeproof is a volcano of potential just waiting to explode.
