Smoke and Mirrors

Smoke & Mirrors won't talk to the media.

At first, this idea seems inexplicable considering this local alt-rock band isn't full of celebrities (a media silence is the dictum of anyone more famous than the president) and has played only a few more concerts this year than the reclusive Axl Rose.

And when you match the muted motif with music that sounds like something a record store lifer would wet his or her pants over, S&M's gambit stinks of pretension and snobbery.

But it's also kind of fun. So fun that without saying a word, Smoke & Mirrors has become the coolest band in Sioux Falls.

Granted, that title changes every five months (such is the nature of "cool"), but after hearing S&M run through a set at Mad Rock Pub last weekend, it's easy to get the feeling this band could have some staying power.

Tonight, S&M opens its mouth with a 9 p.m. show at Nutty's. Friday at 8 p.m., S&M travels to the Phoenix Lounge in Harrisburg.

Though it's lips are stitched together when it comes to the press, S&M does have vocals - mostly sung by Matt Buol, whose style wavers somewhere between Jerry Cantrell and a depressed Matthew Sweet. And, Buol isn't afraid to speak from the stage.


Songs about fear

Between songs that I don't the names of - again, no interview - Buol said, "This song is about fear," and then went on to say how it's a powerful emotion that may be running our government.

Yeah, they're serious chaps who rarely joke or smile from stage - though, they do love to plug their merch table. At least the music sounds good.

According to Jayson Weihs, a local promoter who is serving as the band's media liaison, S&M recorded a 17-track demo before it ever scheduled a gig.

Four of these demo tracks can be heard on the band's MySpace page - including "Over the Mountain," with its alarmingly catchy chorus and a two-person drum solo that borders on tribal during the live show.

Other songs start out with barks or distorted riffs only to morph into controlled doses of melancholy punctuated by a well-placed keyboard work.

And there's the raucous story-song "Richard Rocker" which tells the tale of a long-haired music head who becomes a tool of the FBI - let's hope it's inspired by true events.

Overall, S&M is interesting - especially since the members switch instruments between sets. But I'm wondering if the music is intriguing because of the self-imposed silent treatment, or if the self-imposed silent treatment is interesting because the music is tasty?

I guess we'll find out when S&M finally talks. - Argus Leader