Dean G Smith
Dean G Smith | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Dean Gerard Smith |
| Also known as | Deangersmith, Dean of Doom Smith |
| Born | 11 February 1969 Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Genres | metal, funk rock, experimental rock, hard rock, progressive rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, producer, recording engineer |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, drums |
| Years active | 1980s–present |
| Labels | Deangersmith Music, InHouse Records |
| Associated acts | Metalmorphosis (band), Tulsa Pittaway, 2 Dogs Funking, Odyssey (band), Ragnärok, Brothering, Mouthful of Flies |
| Website | www |
Dean G. Smith aka Deangersmith (born 11 February 1969) is a South African–born musician and vocalist. His primary instrument is guitar and vocals although he began his career as a drummer and vocalist. He is the founding member of several heavy metal bands from the 1980s into the 2000s, including Ragnärok, 2 Dogs Funking, Brothering, PijinFist, Mouthful of Flies. He is creator, producer and host of the radio show, The Metal and Hard Rock from Africa Show. He was born in the south of Johannesburg. He is married to actress Vanessa Zachos.
Career[edit]
In his teens, Dean formed the thrash metal band Ragnärok as vocalist and drummer along with bassist Dirk Mrozek and guitarist Stephen Kay-Clough. They were considered the initiators of Thrash Metal in South Africa ahead of the burgeoning metal and hard rock scene in-spite of the political climate.[1] The band unofficially released one demo album in 1989, "Troops of Thunder". During this time Dean also guest vocalled on "The Blast’s" 1988 self released two track 7" as lead vocalist on "Little Sister" and backing on "Not Quite The Same Thing" with Mike Mills, recorded at Universal Studios Johannesburg (now defunct). Ragnärok disbanded in 1992. Their album was re-released as a CDR in 2018 due to new demand from fans in Europe.[2]
In 1991, Dean joined the band "Odyssey" as rhythm guitarist, with Brin Addison on lead guitar and vocals, Laurence Bailie on drums, Neil Ford on bass. They toured extensively around Southern Africa releasing one album "Odyssey" in 1991 on Inhouse Records which aired on 5fm.
In 1993, Dean became lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist in the hard rock/ funk band 2 Dogs Funking (2DF) with Brin Addison as lead guitarist and backing vocals. They toured South Africa and Botswana playing at major music festivals and venues. They independently released one demo album "Handling Complaints and Demands" in 1993 which aired on 5fm. The band disbanded in 1995 as Brin moved to Seattle, Washington.
Dean and his brother Robi formed "Brothering" in 1997 with Tulsa Pittaway on drums. The band toured South Africa headlining at major music festivals such as Oppikoppi and released one self titled demo in 1997 recorded at Mega Music Studios in Johannesburg. They also recorded a second unreleased album. The band was considered as progressive rock by press and peers and went on to win the 1997 Battle of the Bands at Wings Beat Bar in Johannesburg.[3] Their album aired on 5fm. They recorded a single with Philip Nel at SABC Studio 1, however it was not released. They eventually disbanded as Robi moved to Vancouver, Canada in 1998.
In 1996, Dean was invited to join the female fronted rock band, "Balance", as rhythm guitarist releasing one album, "Until".
Dean formed "PijinFist" in 1998 with Tulsa Pittaway and Adam Thomas as a project band.
In 2004, Dean formed "Mouthful of Flies" as guitarist and backing vocalist in London, UK with Dan Stevenson of Fallout and Bloodstone. The band released "Ten Negative Sixes" in 2007. The album received favourable reviews by Malcolm Dome in Metal Hammer and Kerrang amongst others.[4]
In 2008, a song he wrote called "Lamed Vav" with Nadia Jacobsen (Balance) on vocals, was used in the movie The Secret Philosophy.[5]
From 2010 onwards Dean has released solo work under the name "Deangersmith".
From 2013 to 2014 Dean produced and hosted "The Metal and Hard Rock from Africa Show" for Diligaff Radio as a way to showcase African metal and hard rock to a wider audience. In his own words, "African bands generally have a huge struggle with regards to internet access and bandwidth issues, my aim was to get them on Dilligaf Radio and expose them to a wider audience, Dilligaf has an extensive fan base and provided the perfect platform to expose these bands to listeners from all over the world."[6]
References[edit]
- ↑ "Book published about the history of metal in Africa. Heavy Metal Africa: Life, Passion, and Heavy Metal in the Forgotten Continent by Edward Banchs".
- ↑ "Ragnärok announcement pages".
- ↑ "Deangersmith Press pages".
- ↑ "Deangersmith Press pages".
- ↑ "Soundtrack list at IMDB".
- ↑ "The Metal and Hard Rock from Africa Show".
External links[edit]
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