Smart Artists accused of “kicking ass”
Saturday, July 1st, 2006Controversy has erupted throughout the Gold Coast/Northern Rivers NSW music scene in the wake of last Friday’s allegations that Smart Artists “kicks ass.
All four members of Smart Artists vehemently denied the charges, which were made by two fans following a Smart Artists gig at the Grand Hotel in Labrador on Queenslands Gold Coast.
“It really hurts me that anybody would say that about us,” said Smart Artists drummer and lead singer Tony Strong. “Yes, our music may ‘rock’ to some extent, but it’s certainly not about kicking ass….. it’s about transcending earthly sin.
“The fans were overheard making the allegations shortly after leaving Smart Artists 3 hour gig, describing the group’s performance as “way cool” and repeating “that kicked ass” several times before wandering off in the direction of the poker machine room. According to Smart Artists lead guitarist Darren Knight, who joined the band earlier this year when guitarist Greg Strong left, “no ass-kicking has ever taken place.”“We would never intentionally kick ass during a show, especially not with so many young people in the audience,” Knight said. “It’s very important not to rock too hard. If these audience get too pumped up, their loins may become engorged with a lustful desire to touch themselves and others in an impure manner.
When asked about rumors that Smart Artists was deliberately kicking ass to meet women, Knight was equally dismissive. “I don’t see what playing guitar has to do with meeting women, settling down into matrimonial partnership, and raising a family,” he said.
Chris Ward, a Surfers Paradise local who attended Sundays Smart Artists gig, defended the band. “They did rock, but nothing ever went beyond the limits of propriety,” he said. “Except maybe for that drum solo. That may have kicked just a little ass.”
