Born in Braga, Smix Smox Smux are a trio of three friends who make excellent use of blues and rock to have a blast. You’ve got Smix (José Figueiredo) on bass, Smox (Filipe Palas) on guitar, Smux (Miguel Macieira) on drums, and everyone on vocals. Together, they are—obviously—Smix Smox Smux, and their primary goal seems to be spreading the fun and laid-back vibe of their music to everyone who listens.
They used to look like mischievous kids firing in every direction. Today they’ve grown up; they know how to play, they deliver disconcerting lyrics, and they leave you wanting more. In other words, they’ve evolved significantly and released a very interesting album through the Amor Fúria label. Before this, they already showed they wanted to be good, but they seemed like beginners. Now, it’s a different story.
This is blues-rock played incredibly well. Here and there the lyrics remain semi-adolescent, but make no mistake—this isn’t high school rock; they don’t miss a beat. This trio, now releasing their debut album “Eles São os Smix Smox Smux,” creates electric music that excites, filled with stories and characters handled with disconcerting humor. We might never have thought of things quite this way, but we all recognize what’s happening: from trendy cellphones to global warming, from suburban Famel Zundapp motorbikes to 1980s urban revivalism.
Regarding Smix Smox Smux, the best chronicle I’ve read was on the blog “Fase Berlinense,” and it goes like this: “I confess the CD leaves me wanting more. I confess that after seeing a Smix Smox Smux concert, the album feels like too little. I don’t know how unfair this small critique is, because the album is very well recorded and produced, but it is definitely not the same thing.
On stage, these songs break free—and not with those often-boring ‘Flak-style’ solos, nothing like that. It’s an immense grit and a desire to be there and do something, worthy of someone who is a star and doesn’t know it, or doesn’t care. It’s the same grit Iggy Pop brings to the stage after 1,500 concerts when, even at a mega-festival, he pulls 30 or 40 people onto the stage during ‘No Fun.'”
Highly recommended. I’m certain they’ll be touring around, so if you get the chance, don’t miss out. It’s truly worth it. And by the way, the record is also very much worth it—it’s just that I’m already missing a night of rock & roll madness and Palas’s homilies at the wheel of his guitar (or guitars, as it seems lately one per concert isn’t enough).
