by kiki kat [Kiki Lewis]

Musical gamers can indeed extend beyond Rock Band and FU5 Smeerdude is a shining example. Born in Grand Falls, New Brunswick, Smeerdude is a proud musician and motorcyclist. When he’s not hammering out tunes or tearing up the streets on his Harley, he’s taking down locust in Gears of War or securing freedom in Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter. He does, indeed, play Guitar Hero as well.

Smeerdude is 38 years old and moved to the big city of Toronto from the small town of Grand Falls when he was 20 years old. He moved because the music business and work opportunities were much better for him in the big city. Over the years he has been involved in many music projects claiming the best one was SMEER (from 1998 to 2006). He has a huge passion for Motorcycles (Harley’s), he currently rides a 2007 Harley Davidson Street Glide. He is very passionate about web-design and graphic design and that is what pays the bills. having done so much over the last 20 years he claims he would not change a thing.

The story of “The Musician”

I started playing music (guitar) when I was 8 years old, my Dad had an old acoustic guitar that I was drawn to. I got more serious at the age of 12 when I was able to listen to songs and know how to play them. Took a few lessons but found that to be boring and structured. He played a little bit of guitar and he bought music like the Eagles, Steppenwolf, Deep Purple etc… I would often listen to these records and ask lots of questions about the musicians and songs, Dad was always there to answer any questions and always encouraged me to explore music and develop my own style. My hobby’s are pretty much my passions (Motorcycles, Music, Creative Designs and of course Video games).

I love music and the creative part about the business is what I like most. I do it because it is a real way of expression for me. Some people say I am quiet and stuff but on stage I am totally loud and expressive and some people don’t think it’s the same guy. lol. I love to perform live. I like many things, I guess it keeps life from getting boring.

3 words to describe being a musician

Creative, Expressive and Liberating

Best time of day to play

Best time for me to play Games are week nights after a long day at work.

Best time for to play music live is after dark - Best time to write music for me is mornings for some strange reason.

Coordinating accesories

I am assuming we are talking about gaming here? If yes i use the standard Xbox hardware (wireless controller and headset) 50″ Sony LCD tv, and a Yamaha full surround sound system.

If we are talking Music I use (Ernie Ball bass guitars, Gibson Les Paul guitars, Ovation acoustic guitars, Mac computers for recording)

Time Commitment

It varies, when I feel inspired I spend lots of time on it but you can’t force it out. My best songs came to me when I was not even trying, I just felt something and I was in the right mood. Sometimes I don’t touch an instrument for over a week and other times I play everyday.

Career Options

That was the plan for many years but the music business is not for everyone. It was my part time career with SMEER, we toured, we released three cd’s & two dvd’s. We also signed a US record deal and one in Europe. The money was not enough to make it a full time thing. The music business over the last few years has changed so much, I think the days of the record deals are over. Artist are much better off taking control of their publishing and using the internet to build their band. Touring then follows and maybe a deal with a company for sponsorship and help with any touring expenses. To me that would make the most sense. I don’t plan to make it a full career right now but who knows what the future will hold.

Most exciting music moment?

The most exciting for me was the first time we headline an arena, it was a place in my original home town of Grand Falls, NB. We had all our friends that we went to high school with, family and a whole new generation of kids that loved Smeer. TV and Radio where all over it. We had our song (SEED) go to #1 on the countdown. It was that moment of having left my home town with nothing and coming back 10 years later having accomplished something so special to me and having people dig it. To hear all those people singing the words to a song I wrote one rainy day at home about my dad was just unreal and totally cool.

Real life, gaming, and music overlap/interact?

I love gaming, the people I game with are my extended family, they are always there to support me and my music. When I turn on my Xbox I always have one or many of my FU5 Brothers/Sisters there to connect with. It truly is a close knit community and like a band we are there for each-other not just in gaming but in real life. I play more often over the winter because Summer tends to be a busy time for me (motorcycling, music, work, etc..) I also created FU5.org and spend lots of time making sure it meets everyones needs. Music and gaming really don’t interfere with each-other but co-exist quite nicely and maybe someday one of my songs will be included in the next Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfare (GRAW) or Gears of War. I wish.

Community association

Frags unlimited five (FU5)

Gaming preferences

I am an Xbox360 guy.
I love 3rd person shooters -(GRAW, Gears of War, Call Of Duty, Rainbow Six etc…)
I love the music games -(Rock Band and Guitar Hero)
I do play the sports games every-year (Hockey, Racing, Football)

Thoughts while playing

Well when I am riding my bike I usually relax and think of positive things in life or past situations that I have learned from, some of my songs are written in my head when I am riding my Harley.

Joke

I like this one.

Two Tourists

Two tourists were driving through Wisconsin. As they were approaching Oconomowoc, they started arguing about the pronunciation of the town’s name. They argued back and forth until they stopped for lunch. As they stood at the counter, one tourist asked the blonde employee. “Before we order, could you please settle an argument for us?” “Would you please pronounce where we are very slowly.”

The blonde girl leaned over the counter and said, “Burrrrrr gerrrrrr Kiiiing.”