Bands That Dave Smithey Played Drums In

Da Vinci

  • Opened for April Wine at the 3,000 seat Egan Center in Anchorage, Alaska, US.
  • Won Budweiser sponsored “Best Band in Alaska” contest.
  • Recorded 7 song live album “Frozen Alive” at Chilkoot Charlie’s nightclub.
  • “Alaska’s premiere rock group” – “Alaska Music Scene” magazine.

Here is a YouTube video of Da Vinci playing “Renegade” by Styx at Chilkoot Charlie’s nightclub in Anchorage, Alaska, US:

The energetic Classic Rock band Da Vinci won a Budweiser sponsored “Best Band in Alaska” contest with prizes including cash, a Budweiser logo electric guitar and recording of a live album. We opened for April Wine at the 3,000 seat Egan Center in Anchorage and recorded a 7 song live album “Frozen Alive” at Chilkoot Charlie”s (aka “Koots”). An “Alaska Music Scene” magazine cover story on Da Vinci described us as “Alaska’s premiere rock group”.

Da Vinci played both covers and our originals 5 nights a week. We played clubs including Chilkoot Charlie’s (occupancy 650). I was a founding member of Da Vinci and played drums under the stage name Sheldon Astro.

I played with Da Vinci from 1992 to 1993 in Anchorage, Alaska, US.

Bent

Bent recorded the 7″ vinyl 45 single “Actual Footage” in Seattle, Washington, US with engineer/producer Chris Hanzsek at Reciprocal Recording (where Nirvana recorded their debut album “Bleach”). We self financed the record and released it on our own GSL Records label (including a limited distribution deal with SubPop Records). “Actual Footage” received college radio airplay.

A review in the August 1990 “Backlash” Seattle music magazine described “Actual Footage” as “Frenetic drums, cool chords, weird baselines . . . I think I’ll flip it over and listen again”. This vinyl record sold well enough to more than recover all of the money we invested in making it. The record is now available in places including Discogs, 45cat, MusicStack, Amazon and eBay.

Bent played many clubs in the Seattle original music scene including Squid Row Tavern.

Bent played from 1988 to 1991 in Seattle, Washington, US.

Rebels Without Applause

I played drums in Rebels Without Applause which consisted of just myself on drums and Bent guitarist Rob Quattro on bass. This was a very experimental “expanding our musical horizons” kind of band. We developed some pretty intricate material based largely around Rob’s heavy use of effects including overlaying multiple parts in real time using looping via digital delay. We recorded demos including “Partners in Time” and “Fame and Four Tunes”.

I wrote lyrics for “Burger Daze” (our parody version of the Jimi Hendrix tune “Purple Haze”) and co-wrote with Rob Quatrro the lyrics for “From Seattle” both of which were recorded by Rebels Without Applause.

We played from 1990 to 1991 in Seattle, Washington, US.

Atlantis

I played drums as an early member of Atlantis. We performed in many clubs, entertaining people all around Puget Sound, from Seattle to The Coast and the islands in between.

I played with Atlantis from 1988 to 1991 in Seattle, Washington, US.

Einstein

I played drums in Einstein, which was a Heavy Metal influenced Progressive Hard Rock band with female lead vocals. In addition to my drumming duties I wrote the lyrics for the two Einstein songs “Sundown” and “Battle of Renaissance”.

I played with Einstein from 1987 to 1988 mostly in Colorado Springs, Colorado, US.

Typhoon

I played drums in Typhoon, which was a club band playing Classic Rock. This is where I began experimenting with having fun (and showing off just a little) by spinning and tossing of drumsticks while maintaining a strong rock drum groove to keep the dance floor full. People at the live shows gave me so much positive feedback about the visuals that I was inspired to deeply integrate that into my approach to playing drums.

I played with Typhoon from 1987 to 1988 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, US.

DJ and the Gentlemen of the Jury

I played drums with DJ and the Gentlemen of the Jury, which was my first Funk/R+B band. Rehearsing and playing live shows in the rhythm section with these experienced Funk players tremendously improved my practical knowledge of drumming in dance situations.

I played with DJ and the Gentlemen of the Jury from 1987 to 1988 in Denver, Colorado, US.

Bits ‘N’ Pieces

Full time musician — drumming in nightclubs with the Country band Bits ‘N’ Pieces in Anchorage.

I played with Bits ‘N’ Pieces during 1986 to 1987 in Anchorage, Alaska US.

Various Anchorage Bands

In demand freelancing as a backup/substitute drummer for bands in the active Anchorage nightclub scene. I also played in the party-friendly Rock band Livewire. These activities were in addition to playing full time with the country band Bits ‘N’ Pieces.

This was during 1986 to 1987 in Anchorage, Alaska, US.

Mind’s Eye

I was the first drummer in Monty Cole’s band Mind’s Eye. We played Santa Barbara area nightclubs including Alex’s Cantina and recorded several demos. I played drums under the stage name Sheldon Smithey.

I played with Mind’s Eye in 1994 in Santa Barbara, California, US.

Starving Students

I played drums in Starving Students, an unconventional 4-piece instrumental Progressive Rock band with drums, keyboards and 2 guitars (no bass player). We developed dozens of original tunes starting in the Starving Students Movers warehouse in West Los Angeles (hence the name) before moving to a blocked-out rehearsal space at Francisco Studios in the city of Vernon (Los Angeles area). We developed my instrumental tune “Purple Egg Crickets”.

I played with Starving Students during 1984 – 1986 in Los Angeles, California, US.

Tom’s White Shoes

I played drums in Tom’s White Shoes, which was a 4-piece straight ahead Pop Hard Rock original band with Thomas Magnuson as the lead vocalist and front person. He was also the band leader and wrote the material. We rehearsed at Francisco Studios in the city of Vernon (Los Angeles area) where we developed about two dozen of Tom’s songs. Tom’s White Shoes played many LA Rock clubs. Tom constantly worked on getting the band a recording contract. We were represented by an entertainment attorney and got some “record company interest” from major labels. Tom later went on to found leading companies in the hotel industry including Magnuson Hotels.

I played with Tom’s White Shoes from 1984 to 1986 in Los Angeles, California, US.

Tan Band

I played drums in Tan Band, which was a versatile Rock cover band with both male and female lead singers which allowed us to cover a wide variety of songs. We played nightclubs and events throughout the Greater Los Angeles area including UCLA Mardi Gras and a Long Beach Grand Prix drivers party.

I played with Tan Band from 1983 to 1985 in Los Angeles, California, US.

Young MacDonalds

I played drums in Young MacDonalds, a Funk/R+B influenced original Rock band with a small horn section. I played drum parts that were largely a mix of Rock and Jazz/Rock Fusion styles.

I played with Young MacDonalds from 1982 to 1984 in Los Angeles, California, US.

Second Generation

I played drums in the eclectic 3-piece Rock band Second Generation. I was involved in promoting, songwriting, rehearsing, recording demos and performing in Los Angeles nightclubs (including the famous Madame Wongs). Second Generation wrote and developed well over 50 original songs.

We developed and played several of my tunes including “Tost in Space” and “Toy Bombs”.

I played with Second Generation in Los Angeles, California, US from 1980 to 1983 and in 2001.

Triangle

Drummer in Triangle, a Progressive Rock influenced power trio that developed a lot of original material which we played in LA nightclubs. I played with Triangle from 1978 to 1981 in Los Angeles, California, US.

Two Man Party Band

I played drums in Two Man Party Band. We played from 1977 to 1981. This was a very experimental band with just guitar and drums. We played in Los Angeles, California, US.

Faria

I played drums in Faria during high school. This was the first band that I played in. We played from 1976 to 1978 primarily in Los Angeles, California, US.