Ten Questions with Smarty Pants

Former Oklahoma scene mainstays Smarty Pants are playing a reunion gig at the Conservatory tomorrow (November 14th). In honor of the show, Dave Brown interviewed Chris Palmer via email.

Purchase their final album, Annoyager, on iTunes

Dave: What prompted the reunion show? Is this a one time gig?
Chris Palmer: Chris and Jeff were looking for an excuse to come back to Oklahoma and visit friends and family. Chris lives in Portland and Jeff lives in Iowa. Ryan, Kyle and Kyle invited them back and even offered to chip in on airfare/gas money. We just wanted to have a big Smarty Pants Family Reunion. We thought we were broken up but I don’t see it that way now.
Dave: For those unfamiliar with the band, what’s the story behind Smarty Pants?
Chris: Music major dropout meets flakey artist. They get a drummer who then becomes a music major and becomes too busy. A bass player quits and then rejoins. A younger and jazzy drummer is hired. A young brother wants to be in the band. Mom and Dad say, “Let your younger brother join.” Then the music starts.
SHOW INFO:
• Where: The Conservatory, 8911 N. Western, in Oklahoma City
• Openers: Euclid Crash & Student Film

Annoyager - Smarty Pants

Dave: Why did the band break up?
Chris: I moved to Atlanta and then Portland to explore my career in tea. Jeff moved to Texas and then Iowa to teach.
Dave: How would describe your music for those who have never heard the band?
Chris: Quirky like They might be Giants lead by a jazzy Smashing Pumpkins, with dancing clowns.
Dave: Who have been your favorite bands to play with (local and national)?
Chris: LOCAL: Vena Cava was one of our very favorite Oklahoma bands. (Great guys and great band.) Euclid Crash and Traindodge are great too. We played with them both a lot. I’d say we grew up with Traindodge because both our bands started around the same time.
NATIONAL: Armchair Martian, Drag the River (Jon was really nice to us) Wretch Like Me. (Great band!) It was legendary to get to open for the Frogs, Atom and his package and SNMNMNM (we clicked real well.)
Dave: Is there any show that sticks out in your mind as your favorite Smarty Pants gig? Or worst?
Chris: BEST GIG When we re-opened the 108 Club and had a show in downtown Edmond. We almost got shut down but it turned out great.
WORST: When Jeff and Kyle had to drive back to Edmond from Norman to get a keyboard and we missed opening for Wesley Willis.
Dave: Do you have any expectations or fears about the reunion show?
Chris: Number 1 - I hope we all get to Oklahoma. I’m coming from Portland. Jeff is coming from Iowa. Ryan is in LA this week.
Number 2 - I hope we don’t suck (at least not anymore than normal)
Dave: What are your thoughts on the state of the underground music scene in Oklahoma? How do you think it has changed since the band broke up?
Chris: It’s been amazing to see the All American Rejects and Flaming Lips continue to rise and shine for Oklahoma. Honestly we haven’t kept up with the underground scene too much. I see our label Little Mafia continues to grow bands from Oklahoma and other places though.
Dave: This is a High Fidelity inspired question. What are your top 5all time bands, albums, movies, TV shows, book/authors?
Chris: RUSH SLAYER, DANNY ELFMAN, GARTH BROOKS, JOHN WILLIAMS
KARATE KID, STAR WARS, GOONIES, REVENGE OF THE NERDS, THE JERK
90210, FRIENDS, SIMPSONS, PERFECT STRANGERS, WHO’S THE BOSS
Who reads books these days?
Dave: Any final thoughts?
Chris: SMARTY PANTS DANCE PARTY!!!