In 2008, the Smith Westerns finally found a full-time drummer, Hal James, and local independent label HoZac Records (originally an offshoot of the punk 'zine Horizontal Action) released their first 7", a three-song single featuring the tunes "Irukandji," "Crabman," and "Spiritus Sanctus." The single promptly sold out its first two pressings, and in June 2009, HoZac brought out the band's self-titled debut album (initially a vinyl-only release), which found the Smith Westerns indulging a taste for '70s glam rock along with their punk and garage influences. The band was also touring steadily by this time, including a road trip with Nobunny in which the Smith Westerns opened the show and then reappeared as Nobunny's backing group.
In 2010, the band released a split single on Fat Possum with the Magic Kids that featured some of their most polished music to date, and the band pledged to keep making music while several of the members also attended college. That move toward a slicker sound continued on the group's second album, Dye It Blonde. Released in January of 2011, it featured drumming by Brian Chase of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and John Eatherly of Turbo Fruits and production by Chris Coady. After a long tour that involved over 140 shows, the band headed back into the studio in 2012 to record its next album. The Smith Westerns used the same producer but switched labels, moving to Mom + Pop Records for 2013's Soft Will. In 2014, the Smith Westerns announced their breakup. Cullen Omori moved on to a solo career, and Julien Ehrlich and Max Kakacek launched a new band, Whitney. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
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All Die Young |
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Weekend |
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Varsity |