"Do I listen to pop music because I'm miserable or am I miserable because listen to pop music?"
--John Cusack (Rob Gordon) High Fidelity

Does it really matter?

Fortunately for Wonderful Smith, "Miserable" isn't an adjective that fits in the new Chicago band's repertoire. Energetic, dynamic and genuine original dirty pop, this quartet acknowledges their rooted ness to the Midwest USA while creating a sound genuinely unique unto their peers.

Consider Ben Hilt, a classical bassist, or Nick Estes - influenced by both the Beatles and Ween. Marshall Custer is the young cute drummer who usually leaves with the girl, but not the girl in the band - Holly Senchak: the driving force - bouncing between keyboards and guitars and sharing lead vocals with Nick. They may be young, but they've played in experienced bands before communing together. Ask them about "Folgers in your cup" and Budweiser commercials.

The wonderful thing about wonderful smith is that you get to hear all types of lovely influences from Talking Heads to Blue Oyster Cult to Flaming Lips to Ween (twice) to the Shins. There's nothing boring here - from their recorded music to their live shows. "More band, less jam" is their motto.

Sure, they've played with some swarmy bands like Lifehouse, OAR, Evan Dando, The Lost Trailers and Slightly Stoopid. Yes, they've played in the good venues & events around like Schuba's, Birdies, the Patio, Luther's Blues, the Rave, and Taste of Chicago. Of course, they're ready to sign with a European label and record their first full-length album.

It's just the beginning of the good things for this group of post-teens. Lose the miserabality and listen up to Wonderful Smith - even their break-up songs will make you less miserable. Oh yea, they have an EP available for sale at shows and through their Web site. Do yourself a favor - buy some gum and some Wonderful Smith.