Hi y’all
I’d like to think that we all want to look out for one another and provide help/assistance/guidance/advice whenever it is sought. Which is why I’m pulling this short piece together.
Rol, from the consistently innovative and brilliant My Top Ten blog, got in touch with me recently to ask if I knew anything of a Scottish band named Smile. Sadly, I didn’t off the top of my head, and I also drew a blank after delving into some of the books I have in the small library here at Villain Towers.
There’s also not a lot out there in terms of t’internet beyond info that there was a one-off single released in 1992. It was called Obvious and was issued on 7″ and CD by Different Class Records – and that’s the sleeve of the 7″ above.
There’s no copies of the single available via Discogs. Nor has anyone taken the trouble to put the audio up on YouTube or the likes.
The lead singer and songwriter in Smile was Dean Owens, someone who, since the turn of the century, has fashioned a reputation in the field of Americana, gaining many a plaudit for his albums and live shows. Rol is a fan and is really keen to hear what seems to have been Dean’s debut single, albeit it is from back in his days as a member of a band and not as a solo artist.
Is there anyone out there who could help?
Much appreciated.
THE NEW VINYL VILLAIN 
Aside from the Discogs and Wikipedia content, you (or Rol) can contact the man himself at his website deanowens.com
Cheers, Martin – but you know me… I’d never be that forward!
I know, Rol, I know. So I just tweeted him and sent him a link to this blog post in the hope that he might get involved himself. You never know. Though he doesn’t seem too active on X, so …
Apparently he was in a band called The Felsons who recorded three albums. There’s one album on Apple Music called Glad.
Martin – he probably quit when Elon took over, as I did. But thanks anyway.
Paul – yes, I think a lot of the Felsons stuff is on bandcamp.
Another member of the Vinyl Villain Army has come to the rescue though, so it looks like my quest has been answered. Many thanks to him, to JC, and to everyone who read this.
The Felsons were a great wee band who I saw countless times at King Tuts supporting Americana acts.
I have all three albums
Saw Dean once played in front of an audience of less than 20 folk
Smile seem to ave an almost identical lineup to the Felsons