Tim Smith joins the ranks of Phil Collins (Genesis), Don Henley (The Eagles) and Fred LeBlanc (Cowboy Mouth), as drummer, lead singer and driving force behind this ground-breaking rock n’ roll band.  Tim is the founder and leader of The Killdares, a self-taught musician since the age of 14, and a native Texan with true Celtic roots.  Raised as an avid fan of traditional Celtic music, his affinity for the grit and cutting-edge nature of rock and punk inevitably led him to begin assembling a group of like-minded musicians, who wanted to stretch the boundaries of contemporary musical expression. The result – The Killdares!
 
Thirteen Questions with Tim
 
Musical Influences?

Bands: KISS, R.E.M., U2, Collective Soul, The Alarm, Big Country, The Replacements, Elvis Costello, The Clash, The Jam, The Waterboys, Echo & the Bunnymen, The Smiths, The Levellers, The Pogues, Roxy Music…and that’s just the list for today!
Drummers: Larry Mullen Jr., Stewart Copeland, Taylor Hawkins, Phil Rudd, Steve Ferrone
 
Favorite Food? Thai…although…I will never tire of my mom’s gumbo (great grandma’s recipe)
 
Favorite KD song to play live? “Speak to Me”
 
Favorite song on Secrets of the Day? “Hold My Heart”
 
Favorite Bands Now? Augustana, Collective Soul and Goo Goo Dolls have made regular rotations in my iPod lately. I’m also really diggin’ on Radiohead’s OK Computer again. It never gets old. Muse and The Fray are making appearances too. Beck’s Guero has been in my car player for two months, along side Soul Asylum’s The Silver Lining, and Paul Westerberg’s Eventually
 
What instruments do you play? Drums, lead vocals…and lately I’ve been going back to my roots with the bodhran (traditional Irish drum).
 
First song you learned on drums? “Stray Cat Strut” by The Stray Cats
 
What do you usually do when you travel to the next show? Talk gear with our soundman, conduct phone interviews for local press, confirm hotel rooms and gig logistics, play “movie trivia” game with Matt and Brek (and win every time), listen to my iPod…and sleep…as long as I’m out before Brek puts in his Yes: Greatest Hits CD
 
Favorite thing to do when you’re not playing? Take advantage of my Netflix movies…and when those are done…go see more movies at the theater, try new and different ethnic restaurants, play soccer, go see bands whenever I can, hit the pub with friends
 
Last Book Read? State of Fear by Michael Crichton
 
Last Movie Seen? Rachel Getting Married
 
What do you think your role is as a drummer/lead singer in this band? As founder of the band, I wear a lot of hats. In the unique position of pulling double duty on both drums and vocals, I’m constantly striving to set a rock-solid foundation with the bass and guitar, while coming up with vocal lines that compliment the songs as well. Since I’m not always positioned front-and-center like a lot of band frontmen, I have to rely on my bandmates to help me set the pace of the show. They in turn look to me…and that mutual on-stage chemistry helps me create a solid pulse that carries the show.
 
When it comes to songwriting, I’m a pretty darn good arranger. I’ve been known to create or write songs based on the combination of different ideas that might be written from different sessions…and as far apart as 5 years! This non-traditional, cut-and-paste method has earned me the name of “Desktop Publisher” of the band.
 
Favorite quote of all time?
“Do or do not, there is no try”
-Yoda, The Empire Strikes Back