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Okay.  Let’s clear something up right away.  There apparently are a tubload of bands out there running around with the name Smokescreen tattooed on their backs.  To be clear:  This is not the British band known as Smokescreen.  This is not the Black Label Society-sounding metal band known as Smokescreen.  This is the Tempe, Arizona kids that combine some late 80’s alternative sensibilities with a dose of moderate rock in the end making some quite catchy music.

They will inevitably draw some comparisons to REM and in all honesty, they would have fit in quite well with the crowd of bands in Athens, Georgia 1990.  Sharing some of the same influences it seems as Five-Eight, Dreams So Real and the gang.  Nothing to be ashamed of there and nothing to be ashamed of in this single from their release “Activate”.

The melody flows and flows well in this vibe.  That alone would be good enough for some bands, but Smokescreen takes “CA” and brings it up…stops it…and continues to change up the progression until they ultimately swing into the solo section.  Good rock…straight up and down.