In a somewhat typical lifestyle on the Boston rock scene, Russ Smith has moved in and out of a variety of different combo situations linked by both aesthetic patterns and the familiar faces of sympathetic sidekicks, most notably the Roger Miller who is not the country and western songwriter but instead made his reputation with complex, stunning, and sometimes abrasively loud progressive rock.

The latter genre title seems fairly appropriate in summing up Smith's activities as a bassist, sometimes vocalist, and even occasional recording engineer, even though such a description may lead to confusion with a bassist of the same name who recorded with British rockers Ramatam. Few listeners following new rock directions in Boston would make such a mistake, however.

Documentation of Smith's music in the city of beans began in the late '80s, including Miller outings following outing himself from Mission of Burma. At this point Miller began using monikers such as No Man and No Man's Band for these groupings, the latter evolving into a trio in which the bassist was recognized as a co-leader, not that such a thing is always desirable. Smith's sides with Miller include Win! Instantly! and Damage the Enemy, accenting both recognizable songs and far-out instrumental jams respectively. A recording entitled (or should that be en-tit-led) Scary Nipples presents Smith as creative mastermind behind some largely improvised sessions featuring Miller, trumpeter Bob Weston, drummer Larry Dersh, and others. Originally released on the High Fidelity imprint, Scary Nipples remains available through Miller's own Fun World Products. ~ Eugene Chadbourne, Rovi