Smoke was a band from the Cabbagetown neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia that dissolved in 1999 with the death of writer/singer Benjamin. Benjamin was the subject of Peter Sillen and Jem Cohen's documentary Benjamin Smoke (2000).
History The group formed during the demise of the Opal Foxx Quartet, starting with Benjamin on vocals, Bill Taft on cornet and banjo, Brian Halloran on cello, and Todd Butler on guitar. Coleman Lewis and Tim Campion later joined on guitar and drums, respectively, followed by Will Fratesi on drums. Their last show was New Year's Eve, 1998. Benjamin died January 29, 1999.
Bill Taft and Will Fratesi went on to form Hubcap City, who are still active in the Atlanta area.
Former guitarist Coleman Lewis died from a heroin overdose in May 2014.
Discography Pretend 7" (1993, Colossal Records) Pretend Dirt Heaven on a Popsicle Stick CD (1994, LongPlay Records) Hole Awake Freak (Winn's Song) The Trip Hank Aaron (lyrics by Dana Kletter) Luke's Feet Beeper Will The Pond I Do Ballet Guilt Abigail Curtains Another Reason To Fast CD (1995, LongPlay Records) Trust Friends When It Rains Clean White Bed Shadow Box Dream Fatherland Train Song Debbey's Song Chad That Look I Don't Snake
Compilation appearances ? CD (1992) Smoke - Dog The lineup on this song was Benjamin, Bill Taft, Brian Halloran, and Todd Butler. This CD was a benefit compilation. Radio Oddyssey Volume 2: The Georgia Music Show CD (1997 Altered Records/Ichiban) The Rock*A*Teens - Black Ice The Continentals - Please, Please Pineal Ventana - Dark Cloud DQE - Mermaid And The Sailor No. 1 Family Mover - Hey Soul Bob - Ants Velvet Overkill Five - Pillow Talk The Goodies - Live On WRAS-FM Tweezer - Sucking Midgets Marcy - Driver Heinous Bienfang - Stay Behind The Cones Babyfat - Redd Lobster Frontstreet - Scandinavian Pamphlet (Sex Book) 17 Years - Doing Wrong Smoke - Hamlet Benjamin - Big Daddy Story and Other Saucy Tales
Rudy's Rockin' Kiddie Caravan CD (1997 Bloodshot Records) Susie Honeyman - Bus Schoolly D - This Old Man Smoke - Old Joe Clark Calexico - The Man on the Flying Trapeze The Waco Brothers - Them Bones Giant Sand - Blow the Man Down Anne Richmond Boston - What Can the Matter Be? D. L. Menard & the Louisiana Aces - J'ai Passe Devant Ta Porte? Zydeco Elvis - The ABC Song Sally Timms - Hush Little Baby New Orleans Klezmer All Stars - Nokas for the Kinder The Chiselers - Playmate The Rock*A*Teens - She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain Moonshine Willy - Skip to My Lou Kelly Hogan - The Great Titanic The Black Mama Dharma Band - A Frozen Road Mekons - Oranges & Lemons New Kingdom - John Henry Rob Gal - Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Blacktop Rockets - Froggy Went A-Courtin' Vic Chesnutt - Home on the Range The Grifters - The Muffin Man
Hidden Tracks] CD (2000, Daemon Records)
Kick Me - Arms Smoke - Midnight DQE - Ivytwine Parlour - The Cold Snap Kick Me - Black Coat Kick Me - Blue Midnight Parlour - Baby Doll Bill Taft & Neil Fried - Old West Smoke - Pretend Palookaville - Seventh Day Long Flat Red - Eighty-Six Days Railroad Earth - Keep Seeing That Soul Kick Me - Lucky Nights The Hollidays - Miles Away
References
External links
Smoke's fan-made Myspace Rare Smoke mp3s and more info