Music
Press
"This group has been tearing it up in Maryville by playing what works. On any given night when Smoke 'n' Mirrors is on stage, you can expect to hear some Bowie, Dire Straits, Clapton, Hank Williams, Marvin Gaye, Sam & Dave, Styx, Bruce Springsteen and many, many more. Their repertoire is encyclopedic. They can finish a night with some Journey and Loverboy for the small-town-dirty-white-boy in all of us. This isn't a cover band; it's homage. If imitation is flattering, then the dueling guitars of Jeff Frazier and Tom Payne, guided by Barry Schwartz's percussion, are spiritual, laid prostrate at the foot of the altar of rock."
- Metro Pulse - Knoxville, TN
"I was shocked at the quality of this CD and inspired by the artistry (art, you remember that stuff?) in this almost home-grown production. If anything is missing, you'd have a hard time finding it." - Rainbow Sally
"This cd is very refreshing to listen to. There are some great guitar licks and and keyboard is 2nd to none. Being an owner one time of a Blues Club i wish this band was available then because it would have been a great venue for us with the likes of other performers that we had. Pinetop Perkins, Honeyboy Edwards, Dutch Mason (the prime minister of blues) a great Canadian artist. I would have been proud to showcase Smoke n Mirrors at the Club. Keep up the great work guys !!!!" - Bob Trask
"The production is top notch! Every song on this cd is good!! The musicians are great, and the vocals are superb. Counting on You is my favorite. The cd will be getting a lot of use in my car. These songs are great for driving around!!" - David James Music
"This cd is full of great music from seasoned musicians with toe tappin songs that make you want to play air guitar and drums to songs like drivin around, and fountain of youth. Are you ready, sounds like the original steppenwolf with a taste of 2005 blues. Goin around in circles, is classic 2005 electric blues at midnight! I'm all right, is a fantastic mix of rock and blues with classic horns that gets better and better as the song goes on! What a well rounded cd these musicians have put on the table! If you like blues rock, this cd get's the job done on time!" - Bob Tilly Music
"When you need a classic rock fix, who are you gonna call? Say it with us - Smoke 'n' Mirrors." - East Tennessee Entertainment Calendar
"They're the perfect house band." - Steve Wildsmith - East Tennessee Entertainment Calendar
Discography
Smoke 'n' Mirrors - Self Titled, released September 2005.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Formed in January of 2003 in Pinedale Wyoming, Smoke ‘n’ Mirrors began as a duo featuring Tom Payne on guitar/vocals and Barry Schwartz on drums. Additional accompaniment (bass guitar, keyboards, etc.) was provided by sequenced arrangements from Tom’s laptop. The sound was truly unique for a duo because of Barry’s ability to play along with the sequenced accompaniment without a click track. If you closed your eyes while listening, you would think it was a live five or six piece band performing instead of just two. When Tom’s brother’s girlfriend suggested the name Smoke ‘n’ Mirrors it was a perfect fit.
Tom and Barry toured Wyoming and Idaho venues before setting up permanently as house band at The Cowboy Bar in Pinedale. During this time the band added a lead guitarist to the mix with various players from the Pinedale area. They held court at The Cowboy for almost a year before moving the band to east Tennessee where they remain today.
Upon arrival in east Tennessee in 2004 Tom and Barry hooked up with guitarist Jeff Frazier and were an immediate sensation performing a blend of popular classic rock covers at venues in the Knoxville metro area. However, it was Ronnie Kincaid, owner of the Waterfront Bar & Grill that gave the band its permanent footing in the Maryville area. Smoke ‘n’ Mirrors have performed regularly there for four years now.
As a trio, Smoke ‘n’ Mirrors continued to use sequenced tracks for the next two years with great success. However the final piece to the Smoke ‘n’ Mirrors puzzle fell into place when Jeff’s best friend and previous band-mate Dave Yocom joined the band playing bass in 2006. Tom then swapped his guitar for keyboard duties and this new lineup performs almost entirely live except for a few sequenced tracks that were kept because they worked so well.
Check our schedule for upcoming performances.
Links
