Instant Smile, a dynamic duo consisting of guitarist Greg Phoenix and drummer Erin Berry, has been making waves with their latest EP, ‘4 x 2,’ which was released on October 4th, 2023. One standout track from this EP is “Thorazine Bender,” a psychedelic journey that harkens back to the 1960s while injecting a fresh, modern twist into the mix. This track not only encapsulates their unique blend of influences but also serves as a testament to their dedication to pushing the boundaries of their sound.
“Thorazine Bender” immediately grabs your attention with a heavy-duty psychedelic sound reminiscent of the 1960s. With Greg Phoenix’s skillful guitar work and Erin Berry’s driving drums, the duo skillfully transports listeners back in time while also managing to keep their music relevant and captivating in today’s music landscape.
Instant Smile takes inspiration from the music of the 60s and 70s, drawing on elements of psych, classic rock, and prog. What makes their music truly stand out is their ability to merge these various influences into a thoughtful, satisfying, and thoroughly modern take on rock and roll. “Thorazine Bender” showcases their versatility, as it seamlessly weaves together these genres to create a unique sonic experience.
Since their formation in 2013, Instant Smile has consistently sought ways to elevate the minimalist nature of a guitar-drum duo. This commitment to innovation is clearly evident in their new EP, ‘4 x 2.’ The EP is a testament to their evolution as artists. Soaring vocal harmonies, mellotron swells, and cleverly written lyrics that explore the human condition in crisis are the driving forces behind this project. It’s a testament to their ongoing desire to experiment and build on the unique sound they’ve cultivated over the years.
“Thorazine Bender” by Instant Smile is a darkly witty and sophisticated musical journey. It has an urgency that keeps listeners on the edge of their seats, with moments that seem ready to go off the rails. This juxtaposition of sophistication and raw energy is what makes Instant Smile a breath of fresh air in today’s music scene.
“Thorazine Bender” from Instant Smile’s new EP, ‘4 x 2,’ is a testament to the band’s ability to blend their influences from the 60s and 70s into a modern, captivating sound. The track’s psychedelic journey, combined with elements of classic rock, psych, and prog, offers a unique and immersive experience for listeners. As they continue to evolve and experiment with their sound, Instant Smile promises to keep their audience intrigued for a long time to come. Their dedication to pushing the boundaries of their music is sure to make them a force to be reckoned with in the world of contemporary rock and roll.
ABOUT THE BAND:
Is less really more? Well, Greg Phoenix and Erin Berry seem to think so.
While the notion of a guitar-and-drum two piece usually conjures up images of detourned roots rock (thanks for nothing, Jack White), Instant Smile went the other direction. After playing music based in psychobilly, swing, rockabilly and straight up rock and roll, Phoenix and Berry have taken a left turn into sounds that mix up pop, classic rock, psychedelia, vintage prog rock, and flashes of surf guitar to create a sound they call Heavy Pop. The result is a spare but satisfying take on rock & roll that’s smart without being pretentious, and literate but never too wordy. Instant Smile conjure a satisfying, darkly witty blend of noisy guitar and crazy rhythms suitable for dancing or pondering the state of the world over a cold beverage.
Instant Smile came into being in 2013, initially calling themselves Greg Phoenix Experience after months of struggling with a name, and finally grasping at a joke suggested by Erin’s boss. However, Phoenix and Berry’s history goes back much further than that. In 2008, they assembled the jazz/rockabilly combo Delco Nightingale, with Berry on lead vocals and Phoenix on guitar. In 2013, they became two-fifths of the nervy rock & roll quintet Bikini Spiders, with Erin taking over behind the drum kit and Greg on bass. They concurrently began playing as the duo Greg Phoenix Experience, with Greg back on six-string. A snowstorm led to the last-minute cancellation of a 2017 festival gig that GPE was booked to play in North Carolina. A high anxiety ride back up north with the storm in their rearview mirror led to an unexpectedly long weekend at home under the influence of plenty of beer, a certain Twilight Zone re-run, and more than a few spins of Blue Cheer’s Outsideinside. These ingredients led to the pair tackling some new musical ideas, and the duo was rechristened Instant Smile.
For Phoenix and Berry, playing in a two-piece band not only makes sense musically, but the streamlined nature of a like-minded duo makes it easy for them to expand their creative boundaries as they see fit. The couple rebuilt their home studio (formerly known as The Penthouse, back in Philadelphia) in their new home in Athens, GA. While they continue to enjoy the flexibility and autonomy of recording and engineering themselves, they have enlisted the help of a few friends on their most recent release, 4 x 2. The EP was mastered by Athens local Joel Hatstat of High Jump Media, and the album artwork was created by John Squier (aka JonArt), and old friend of Berry’s whose artwork outnumbers that of any other artist’s hanging in their home. Instant Smile also continue to produce their own videos, the most recent being the first single from 4 x 2, “Thorazine Bender”, which they released in December of 2022 as an early video teaser. 4 x 2 is the realization of a long sought-after goal of the band- the release of their first vinyl album. It’s a fitting cap to a history of strictly digitally-released singles, as well as a signifier of the band’s growth as they begin their next chapter.
Proving that smart music can be fun (or is it that fun music can be smart?), Instant Smile are a sharp dose of fresh musical energy that promises to keep listeners intrigued for a long time to come.
