Smiler's July 6th gig as appeared in the Edinburgh Evening News on July 5th :

"Time For Taste of Smiler before T"

If you're looking for something to get you in the mood for seeing hundreds of live bands at T in the Park this weekend, you could do a lot worse than head down to Bannerman's tomorrow night.

Set to rock the cosy Cowgate venue are Smiler, a young bunch of boisterous rockers with a fine ear for melody. The four-piece have previously received a couple of rave reviews in this very paper, and have just released their Lovestone EP.

Often compared with the jangly harmonic rock of the Faces, the Smiler sound should please any fans of tuneful energy, and their feisty live performances, particularly from outgoing frontman Hud, are guaranteed to see Bannerman's jumping."

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The Attic gig on May 24th was covered by Ben Atherton of the Evening News. Here's what he had to say...

"Jem of A Night With Music & Mayhem.

The opening set was left to Smiler - and what an opening. The band delivers a hugely enjoyable blend of unpretentious back-to-basics pop music and mischief that is impossible to ignore. Frontman Hud and lead guitarist Rod, modern day glimmer twins, delivered the sharp end of an exciting collection of catchy tunes, each number laced with infectious hooks and riffs that lost none of its sharp -edged rock. The charismatic Hud swaggers around, stylishly thrashing his glittery Les Paul guitar with a fun-filled energy and unrestrained enthusiasm that captures the vigour and drive of every youngster who has ever played air guitar...."

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The Following article appeared in "Rock of The North" magazine Nov 2001

If all this angsty nu-metal is giving you a headache, or a severe bout of depression, maybe it's time to pay SMILER a visit.

This appropriately-named Edinburgh 4-piece have a sound and style that is uniquely their own. You could say that the band has picked up tabs from so many bands that it is impossible to isolate one or two names

A quick chat with lead vocalist Hud left us in no doubt of Smiler's heart :
"Put us on the same stage as Oasis and I'll show you who's fucking mad for it. Still, they're better than all that nu-metal shite.

I hate all these poncy bands 'ooh I'm soooo depressed'. Come with me 100 feet up a ladder on the building sites I work on and I'll show these little mummy's boys. Trouble is, all these bands are so into their careers that they play the game just as much as Hear'say or whoever...I mean Slipknot and Limp Biskit? Fucking New Metal Teletubbies..."

Ok, so we've established that Hud is not a fan of much of today's music scene, believe me, I've edited the 'rant' down to remove some of the more libellous remarks! So what does he like? "anything that's real - all these American punk bands....so fucking wacky. I bet they got a car from 'mom and dad' as soon as they turned 16. None of these people can hold a candle to the Damned, the Dolls....any of these bands."

Oo-er, I think we've caught Hud on a bad day....I thought Smiler were a happy bunch? "Sometimes, I mean, we try to entertain without doing panto like Blink 182 and Slipknot. Some of our songs are angry, just we don't just do one style....but if 'the kids' are happy with their one-dimensional music, then fuck 'em".
Catching Smiler live is quite a joyous event - they may be a bunch of miserable gits off-stage, but they literally light up when the spotlight goes on. I can only suggest that you catch them yourself and make up your own minds.....

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The following Preview by Dave Arcari appeared in the Perthshire Advertiser on February 19th :

"KEEP ON SMILIN' AT THE TAMS".

Boisterous retro-rockers Smiler make their Perth debut on Saturday (February 23)with a gig at the Twa Tams.

The Edinburgh four-piece built round the songwriting partnership of singer-guitarist Hud McGilliard and lead guitarist Rod Leitch,has a sound that is a melting-pot with Bowie, The Clash and Zeppelin as the main ingredients.

Smiler's four-song Lovestone e.p. on So Purple Ecosse Records (SPE)is brilliant testament to the Gilliard/Leitch songwriting partnership and showcases the band as a tight bunch of accomplished musicians.

Although retro, the band's sound is a fairly unique fusion of ideas - and the attitude these guys display in their live show has, to a degree, been captured by the recording.

Gigs around Edinburgh have been plentiful and many have been received in glowing terms. Now Smiler are on the road and taking their melodic sounds to the masses. Don't miss 'em.

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HERE'S THE "LOVESTONE E.P." REVIEW AS IN "RECORD COLLECTOR"

"You can't beat a bit of early 90s rock to get the blood pumping on a blustery April afternoons (sic). This is pure melodic rock from the happy Scottish four-piece who are clearly having a fantastic time making this music for the masses.

'IT'S ALRIGHT' would sound spectacular live and wouldn't fail to get the most subdued crowd up on their feet...and clapping their hands above their heads."