Smitt E. Smitty & The Feztones take a defiant stance with ‘Buzzkill Baby’
The rambunctious Boston octet return on Valentine’s Day 2022 with a massive new single about fending off life’s killjoys
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Smitt E. Smitty & The Feztones to release self-titled debut album later this year
WATCH: ‘Tall Man Dreams’ now playing on YouTube
“I wrote ‘Buzzkill Baby’ not only for all the buzzkills out there, but for everyone who has had to deal with them. And I had fun doing it.” – Smitt E. Smitty
BOSTON, MA [February 14, 2022] -- Buzzkills are everywhere. They make us hurt, they make us cry, they make us awfully disappointed. But now, thanks to Smitt E. Smitty & The Feztones, buzzkills can finally do something they’ve never been able to do before – they can make us sing with pride. And it feels pretty damn good, if we’re being honest.
The rambunctious Boston octet return on Valentine’s Day with an infectious bouquet of defiant garage rock and hyperactive pop-rock called “Buzzkill Baby.” It’s the latest offering from Smitt E. Smitty & The Feztones’ forthcoming self-titled album, set for release later this year, and lands on that infamous February 14 date across all streaming platforms and with an official music video.
Over its five-minute runtime, “Buzzkill Baby” is a buzzsaw earworm armed with a wildly memorable sing-along chorus and gritty rock and roll call-out verses. The follow-up to last year’s “Tall Man Dreams” now finds the inimitable Smitty taking on those in life who want to do nothing but bring everyone down – and doing so with his signature brand of eclectic, multi-genre rock and roll.
“We have all experienced a ‘buzzkill’ individual, or situation, at one point or another in our life,” says Smitty. “Sometimes they’re brief or isolated encounters, and sometimes they are long-term encounters with people we have to work with, or a family member, or even a supposed friend. Not only are they exhausting and emotionally draining to be around, but they can take up way too much of your time and keep you from pursuing your passion or goals. I wrote ‘Buzzkill Baby’ not only for all the buzzkills out there, but for everyone who has had to deal with them. And I had fun doing it.”
“Buzzkill Baby” takes the raw guitar-rock power of Smitty’s hometown of Detroit and lines it up nicely with Boston’s time-honored power-pop and indie rock DNA. The result is a massive tune of mythical proportions, an instant classic, and the type of song that feels like its own religious mantra. It crawls inside your headspace and refuses to leave; but unlike those buzzkills that inspired the song, this is a new companion that you’ll want to stick around.
And that Valentine’s Day release date is certainly intentional. Never one to bow down to mainstream habits, Smitty is dropping his new track on a Monday – as far away from New Music Friday as one can get. But as Valentine’s Day began to call out on the calendar, there was only one perfect release date for the irresistible undertow pull that is “Buzzkill Baby.”
“One of the most common ‘buzzkill’ moments we have all shared is the buzzkill of the heart,” Smitty admits. “You think someone is a certain way, personally or romantically. Maybe you plan something special to celebrate and honor your relationship with them, and “BAM”… they hit you with a buzzkill moment. Disappointment galore. They weren’t the person you thought they were. The plans you made didn’t pan out. There are millions of different buzzkills in life. As unique as people are, but a buzzkill of the heart, that’s a big one. Happy Valentine’s Day!”
Like with most of Smitty’s songwriting, “Buzzkill Baby” was inspired by personal experiences, and that lived-in passion plays out across the entire album, heard through the sound, performance, and production of its 10 songs, which include last year’s singles “Tall Man Dreams” and “What’cha Doin’”. But here, the storyline that permeates the driving rhythm of “Buzzkill Baby” is so relatable that it’s easy to apply it to the listeners’ own battles out in the world, dealing with the type of people who just want to watch everything burn.
Got a buzzkill in your life? This song is for you. And whether or not it’s for them is up to you.
“There are endless numbers of ‘buzzkills’ we all suffer through everyday, but if I had to pick one, it would be people who are obsessed with being ‘right’ all the time,” says Smitty. “In the grand scheme of things, being ‘right’ counts for very little. If being ‘right’ means pushing people away, and being generally disagreeable and unpleasant to be around, what have you gained? Nothing. Let it go. There are bigger and more beautiful things in this world.”
That’s the truth, baby.
Press Inquiries: Contact michael@publisist.co for more information.
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Smitt E. Smitty & The Feztones are:
Smitt E. Smitty - Ringleader
James Melanson - Guitar
Eddie Nowick - Guitar
Andrew Padua - Bass
Linda Bean Pardee - Vocals
JoEllen Saunders Yannis - Vocals
Jonathan LaMaster - Violin & Theremin
Johnny Berosh - Drums
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Recording and Sound Engineer: Alec Rodriguez
Recorded at New Alliance Audio
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Smitt E. Smitty & The Feztones have been heard and featured on:
Bill Kelly's Blackhole Bandstand on SiriusXM’s Little Steven's Underground Garage; Christian’s Cosmic Corner, Original Music Showcase, and Marc’s Alt-Rock Playground on Mark Skin Radio; Pop Radio UK; Garagerocktopia; BumbleBee Radio; KOR Radio; Everything You Know Is Wrong on WMWM Salem State; WERS 89.9 Wicked Local Wednesday, Valley FM Canberra (Australia); The Music Authority with James Jim Prell (Florida), Your First Listen on KNNZ Ken’s FM; Ivan Ivan's The Mudd Club Show, Tinnitist; Oh Hello Boston, Radio Candy LA, Boston Groupie News, Fuzzed Out Boston on WZBC; Bay State Rock, On The Town with Mikey Dee and Rising with Skybar on WMFO Tufts; This Is Rock And Roll Radio on Spark WSPJ; Lonely Oak Radio; and other fine shows and stations around the world.
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‘Buzzkill Baby’ single artwork:
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Smitt E. Smitty short bio:
Smitt E. Smitty & The Feztones. Born and raised in Detroit. Moved to Boston in 1985. Smitty played in a great many Detroit bands including The Blind, Zero Ambience, L-Seven and Figures on a Beach. After moving to Boston, Figures on a Beach got signed to Sire/Warner Records and released music until the early ‘90s. FOAB disbanded 1991. Smitty then joined the Wax Trax label in Chainsuck, with lead singer songwriter Marydee Reynolds, until 1999. Smitty then played in Fireking until 2017.
Now it's Smitt E. Smitty & The Feztones time! ALL the time!
After releasing Smitt E. Smitty's debut album in 2017, titled Just A Modern Guy, Smitty went back into the recording studio with Alec Rodriguez of New Alliance Audio, in Somerville, MA. This time with a full band, aptly named The Feztones. The result is a 10 track album set for release this year, led by instant classic “Buzzkill Baby” on Valentine’s Day 2022.
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Smitt E. Smitty press photo:
Media contact and all press/radio inquiries: michael@publisist.co
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