The history....
Sarah and Jenn played together in a band pre-Smoothies days; when the
gals decided they wanted to get serious about developing as a band,
they dumped the then current disinterested band mates, picking up Chad
to play drums. Enter John in August of 94....and the Smoothies were
born. Though only together for just about a year, the band
built up quite an enthusiastic fan base. Several months of playing the
Chicago punk rock circuit (basements and a bowling alley), not only
earned them respect from their peers, but also earned them a label deal
(recording with the infamous Bob Weston), distribution, and a national
booking agent. They played shows with Jawbox, Girls
Against Boys, Brainiac and The Poster Children. Prior to working with
Southern, the band recorded a 7" with Cap'n Chuck Uchida, which was
released on Johann's Face Records in early 1995.
The sound....
Though their roots tie them to the punk scene that prevails in the
Chicago suburbs, the band begs to differ. "We are NOT a punk band!"
stresses Jenn. Then what are they? Ignoring society's unyielding need
to categorize, let's just say they play songs which are sophisticated
pop tinged melodies with familiar driving buzz-saw guitar. On top of
which are added catchy hooks, thick bass lines and raw vocals. And
don't let the ages (Jenn 20, Sarah 17) of the two vocalists fool
you...they write some of the most mature, political lyrics uttered from
a post-teen's mouth, and deliver them with the energy of prepubescent
days not too far gone.
In a few months, this boy-girl-boy-girl combo has gone from playing
basements and bowling alleys to supporting Girls Against Boys on several
dates and headlining at reputable venues (they still go to the bowling
alley now and then).
The Smoothies style is described by Greg Kot
of the Chicago Tribune as "stripped down...minimalistic constructions with
a forget-me-not hook buried inside".
Jenn Solheim (age 19) and Sarah Contorer (age 17) write/sing intelligent
lyrics while equally contributing to high energy music. There's no babydoll
dresses and overdosed eyeliner to be found on these two frontwomen.
They don't aim to please, they just know how to play.