Picture Courtesy Of: www.livesexshowband.net 

Island: I remember the first time hearing Sentimental Blvd off of Mood Swings and just left in awe as that song delivers in every aspect when it comes to guitar driven rock. You've also sang leads on Staying Away off the Believe album so now we shift forward to 2005 fans finally get a whole album of incredible material not only that its safe to say that your voice has only improved with age. Darren Smith is a very diverse multi-talented musician from drums to guitar to lead vocals, now many musicians will stick to one instrument as that's what they are good at but you've made the transition from behind the drums to vocalist/guitarist and switching back and forth. Is there any one of these that you prefer doing more then the other? Or are you quite happy mixing it up?

Darren: I've always considered myself a music lover and fan first then an entertainer. So I'm not really concerned with what I'm playing just as long as I am. I'm sort of a jack of all trades but a master of none. I love to sing, that I've always done. It's quite a bit easier to get your point across up front. When I play live I hop on the kit with Pat and do a dual drum thing now and then hell I even play sax. I haven't quite put that one onstage yet. Who knows maybe one day the sax will be cool..... HAHA.

Island: When you left Harem Scarem several years back you left on good terms and actually you're still a big part of the Scarem family with you lending your voice for backing vocals on Weight Of The World, Higher and just recently the upcoming HS album: Overload. It really came as no surprise that Harry Hess and Pete Lesperance helped you on your first solo outing; in fact Harry was in the producer's chair every step of the way. Was there any other choice to produce on this album besides Harry? It seems that he just has a magic touch with whoever he contributes his skills to.

Darren: As a matter of fact Harry oversaw the project but I did most of it at home on my own so I was playing producer  some of the time. Peter did some engineering and so did I so it was a family affair. Those two I consider my brothers. Harry and I have known each other from the very beginning of our musical careers. He was a drummer when we first met.......A really bad one. We went to college together and thats where we started to work on what became the first Scarem record. I was playing guitar and programming drums in his apartment after school. Harry has become what Canada considers one of the best at what he does. So for me there wasn't any other option.

Island: The song selection is very well spread out but I must say the inclusion of the Nazareth masterpiece Love Hurts came as a welcomed surprise. It's awesome to hear your own rendition of a timeless classic like this, how did you decide to include this one on the disc?

Darren: I used to play it years ago. (Its so weird the minute I read this question my daughter upstairs just put it on.............Oh then turned it off HAHA) The real way. Then one night on stage I just turned around to my drummer and said play this bitch double time cause I was getting sick of it. Then it took on a whole new vibe and the place just started rockin'. It was sort of an accident I had no idea what it would sound like. So now that's the way we play it.

Island: A while back I read on the Harem Scarem forum about your involvement in something I found very interesting called Classic Albums Live where you performed - Van Halen: I. Now according to that topic that was not a tribute act but a recreation of Van Halen's first album. What was this all about as this sounds like a killer event so what was it like to take part in it?

Darren: Well first of all Van Halen is everything and a bag of chips to me. ABSOFUCKINLUTELY love that band well the early stuff with Dave and not so much with Sammy but its still good ROCKNROLL. So when they asked me to do Van Halen One. I jumped. Its quite an event out here. One night only. They hire the right guys for each position and even back up singers. They had a guy to play rhythm guitar only when it was needed there's no jumping around its as though you are blind and just listening. The stage is quite dark. There are only 3 seconds between songs like the vinyl. The same order scream for scream and solo for solo. It was so awesome. I do have it on DVD. A friend of mine filmed it. I did my best Dave. Then once the record was complete the lights go on they introduce everyone in the band then we play a  dozen other Van Halen tunes and this where I lose my mind because now I can perform. I would love to do it again but I'm afraid it won't feel as awesome the second time around. Maybe we will do VH Two this year...YEAH BABY

Island: When fans think of Harem Scarem many typically envision the classic line-up of Harry Hess, Pete Lesperance, Darren Smith, and Mike Gionet as the three albums released and recorded with this line-up were some of group's most creative efforts. This band has always had a core following of loyal fans and there is really no doubt that you and Mike still hold a special place in their hearts. Now Mike and you are currently on a new venture with the group: Live Sex Show - Has Darren Smith reinvented himself with this band? Also could you give some info on what low down about what Live Sex Show is currently up to and what lies ahead for the band?

Darren: Well Mike moved to L.A. 10 years ago and just moved back I was in the middle of replacing my bass player in Sex Show. So we waited for him to move back. Sex Show is based loosely on what ROCKNROLL meant to me when I was a kid. Sex, Jugs, and ROCKNROLL. Jugs of beer and jugs of tits. We are ROCKNROLL PERVERTPIRATES. We loosen a room up then basically get all the women topless and then the party starts. We've had people fornicate on the dance floor. We've had some of the craziest and nastiest stuff happen  when we play but its all in good fun. A time when people enjoyed tearing it up without hurting anyone. Its not that rock needs sex. Its just a by product of having a good time. Without sex there would be no rock without rock there would be no dirty sex. HAHAHAHA. I kill me.

Island: From looking at the live shots that are up on www.livesexshowband.net it looks as if you have been doing a fair amount of touring of clubs in Canada and seems that you are happy touring and performing live as the group seems to bring raw guitar driven rock 'n' roll to a whole other level. What can fans expect when they come out to a gig?

Darren: An incredible amount of fun. We are probably the most entertaining band on the circuit. Cause we all do it for the same reason. To live, breathe, eat and shit rock and roll. There is no other way of life. If there is I don't want to know.

Island: It amazes me now of days with so many different bands that make up the rock genre I mean it seems like there are different sub-genres and basically has become a huge mess. There is however some bands out there today that release some amazing albums but a constant factor that comes around over the span of a career is staying true to yourself but at the same time remaining fresh and evolving as an artist. In what ways do you apply these methods to your career? As many musicians are constantly perfecting their craft.

Darren: I try not to put to much pressure on myself because I think it makes people think to hard and accidentally overanalyze themselves. Then they accidentally change who they are. I try not to do that. I just want to enjoy myself. I'm  very selfish when it comes to life. It must be fun and productive or else I don't do it. Fortunately I'm still able to make a living.

Island: Are there any plans in motion to have an official Darren Smith website? There is your band website but is there going to be a site where fans can go and read up and gain insight into what's going on with you and to help promote the release of Keep The Spirit Alive?

Darren:  Well the record just got released so maybe I should do that. Its all kinda new to me. I really didn't want to call the band: The Darren Smith Band. I think that sucks, but the powers that be in Europe thought it would be a good idea. I will keep on making music. If your a fan great I'll try my best to not let you down. If I do I apologize now but like I said I will keep making music and records so you guess is as mine what I'm going to do next. I would  love to hear some feed back from long time Scarem fans. They can e-mail me at my Sex Show site (www.livesexshowband.net)

Island: Kind of getting off topic but just curious if Pete has taken you aside and had you listen to his new side project/band - Fair Ground formed with former Our Lady Peace guitarist Mike Turner? If you have what are your thoughts on this unbelievable new project?

Darren: Well you said it best. I've known Mike Turner for 20 years. I'm just glad Pete got him playing again. If Peter has anything to do with it, it will be great. The best damn guitar player I know.

Island: Out of all the material you've recorded whether it from your days with Harem Scarem up to the current release of your solo album which has brought you the most joy. If you had to pick what do you feel is your best work? Or has it yet to be recorded?

Darren: Oh I'm not falling for this one. I'm gonna take the fifth. Ask me this question on my death bed, then you'll get the right answer.

Island: With a successful career already it looks as if your exploration into a solo realm will be just as promising. What's next for Darren Smith?

Darren: Well I'm off (after this interview) to go over to my guitar players house (in Sex Show) and jam some tunes we have a  busy weekend  and we would like to add some more tunes. After that summer is here so I'll be rockin' in and outdoors across Canada. Hopefully there will be a reason for Black Star to tour if not Sex Show record in the middle of the summer sounds about right.

Island: Last of all thank you Darren for taking some time away to catch up with www.shipwreckislandstudios.com any final words for our readers and your fans?

Darren: No....Thank you...If I can't play rock right now at least I can talk about it. Thanks again for these kind words Jere. Cheers for years with beers..........Jeres

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