| Steve Smith - vocals/guitar & writer.
A short acoustic tour during the late 90's with the Bonsai Band culminated in the album “Live at the Lounge Club”, which proved to be a turning point in my style of writing.
Much of my work prior to that had been as a solo artist under the guise of ‘Pygmy's Idol' and I had used both midi and massive multi-tracking to try to capture the music I wanted to create. I had the pleasure of working with a fine guitarist Ian Ferguson for a short while but the final music I was creating was becoming too manufactured in sound, too artificial.
It was during this time that the idea for the Bonsai Band emerged to help me gain a rawer sound. The Lounge Club tour help to mould that sound into a new direction while saying goodbye to the ‘Pygmy's Idol' sound and with it some old songs. Working with other musicians was a great inspiration and the new sound can be quite clearly heard on the “AN EP” release. This creativity also flows through the new album “Colours Within”, and the album to be released at the end of the year “A new beginning”.
The band of young musicians I now work with help give me fresh ideas, inspiration and a good laugh. Mike (bass) and Dave (drums) are helping to develop the Bonsai sound and although it was sad to loose Tom Hill to the up and coming Katrina Williams Band, we have gained Joe.
I look forward to future gigs with the Bonsai Band and hopefully much recording.
A very small selection of song writers/bands I admire:
Bob Dylan, Rolling Stones, Velvet Underground, Caravan, Neil Young, Jethro Tull, Pearl Jam, Ramones, RHCP, Rage Against the Machine, Incubus, Tool, Ani DiFranco, Damien Rice.
Nick - bass
Dave Leworthy - Drums
Dave started playing drums in 2003 when he thought ‘I'm going to buy some drums'. He felt that he needed a challenge and with his brother playing the bass it gave them a chance to play music together. He currently uses a CB kit for gigging and practice and a borrowed premier kit for when he's at home. He used to play Paiste cymbals but is now using Zildjian ‘ZBT's which he is finding a great deal better in comparison. He hits them with Vic Firth and Ahead JJ1 sticks and wears Adidas shoes whilst playing. He says Igor Cavalera, John Bonham, Dave Grohl and Vinnie Paul influence him. His former bands include ‘Dave' and 'Drum and Bass'.
James - guitar
I've been influenced by a number of bands and styles of music (Tool, Pumpkins, APC and a range of electronic music). I also play in the band Samurai, a heavy experimental-progressive band from Devon, UK.
The Bonsai Band gives me a completely different outlet for my 'musical creativity' (don't tell the rest of the Bonsai's this).
Favorite quote: Literature, Music & Scotch.
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