Untitled Document

S.M.O. is an Athens, GA based 4-piece band that combines heavy melodic rock, funk, and reggae. Singer/songwriters Jeremy Rushing, a former med-tech student at Radford University, and Jeremiah Thompson, a graduate from James Madison University formed S.M.O. in 1997 in Statesboro, Georgia shortly after the breakup of their former band Full Stop. Full Stop was a 7-piece reggae and ska band from Washington D.C. that toured for seven years up and down the east coast and performed with as diverse artists as the Dave Matthews Band to Public Enemy.

S.M.O.'s original lineup in 97' included a different lead guitarist and drummer. The first newcomer would be Jason Carr, a former SCAD (Savannah College of Art & Design) student who would become their new lead guitarist. Next, Darryl Grant, an Auburn University graduate, would join on shortly after as their new drummer. Together the new and improved S.M.O. relocated to the indie-mecca of Athens, Georgia in early 1998 in the hope of finding an inspiring city and music scene to work from.

S.M.O.'s new lineup quickly began to gel. Nonstop touring lead them to develop a fan base rapidly around the southeast and S.M.O.'s songwriting began taking on a new sound as each of the band members diverse influences started to join. Jeremy and Jeremiah's deep connection to funk and reggae would ultimately combine with Jason's melodic improvisational style and Darryl's heavy rock background. S.M.O.'s new sound came from many influences including: The Police, 311, RHCP, Fishbone, Steely Dan, Bob Marley, Rage Against the Machine, and Stevie Wonder.

In October 1999 S.M.O. independently released their first full-length studio album Living Instrument. With their confidence level rising and tons of positive feedback piling in from their fans, S.M.O. set out and made 2000 their biggest year to date. In 2000, S.M.O. performed at the Atlantis Music Conference (Atlanta, GA), Athfest (Athens, GA), Bele-Chere Festival (Asheville, NC), MTV Choose or Lose - Voter Registration Drive (Milledgeville, GA) and they performed with national recording artists Fishbone, Finger 11, One Way Ride, Bloodhound Gang, and 8 Stops 7. S.M.O. also went on to gain a sponsorship from Jagermeister before the year's end.

In late 2001 recording plans would begin again with the eventual teaming up of S.M.O. with Atlanta producer, Russ-T Cobb. S.M.O. steadily began recording their 2nd album a couple of songs at a time while continuing their touring. Over the summer of 2001, S.M.O. began to start getting some extra attention. First, VH1 contacted S.M.O. and told them that they were in the running for a slot on the 2nd season of "Bands on the Run." Second, S.M.O. won first place in the 98 ROCK Battle of the Bands in Charleston, SC. Third, one of S.M.O.'s new songs, "Keep It Up" was picked to be the lead track on a new compilation CD in Birmingham, AL produced by Dan Nolen of Blackhole Records and Rock 97.3. Fourth, S.M.O.'s song "Keep It Up" was also chosen to be included on the new Jagermeister compilation CD of which 100,000 copies were released nationally in early 2002.

To top off what had already been a strong year of growth for S.M.O., the band was also able to score their first round of shows outside of the mainland U.S. in early October 2001. S.M.O. was booked to fly down and perform for four days in St Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The trip was very successful and has since landed them several opportunties to return and enjoy performing there.

S.M.O. continued to tour steadily in 2002 thru April. One of their recent shows was an opener for Drowning Pool, Coal Chamber, and Ill Nino on the Jagermeister Music Tour 2002.

In late April of 2002, S.M.O. gained another big sponsor teaming up with LANEY USA. S.M.O. now sports all new guitar and bass rigs - Thanks Tom!!!

Currently S.M.O. is taking an early summer hiatus while planning for shows up in NYC.

Jeremiah Thompson Vocals, Guitar Jeremy Rushing Vocals, Bass		Jason Carr Lead Guitar Darryl Grant Drums
photo by sarah gunn	- click here to enlarge - (l. to r. Jason,Jeremiah,Jeremy,Darryl)	photo by sarah gunn
S.M.O. is an Athens, GA based 4-piece band that combines heavy melodic rock, funk, and reggae. Singer/songwriters Jeremy Rushing, a former med-tech student at Radford University, and Jeremiah Thompson, a graduate from James Madison University formed S.M.O. in 1997 in Statesboro, Georgia shortly after the breakup of their former band Full Stop. Full Stop was a 7-piece reggae and ska band from Washington D.C. that toured for seven years up and down the east coast and performed with as diverse artists as the Dave Matthews Band to Public Enemy. S.M.O.'s original lineup in 97' included a different lead guitarist and drummer. The first newcomer would be Jason Carr, a former SCAD (Savannah College of Art & Design) student who would become their new lead guitarist. Next, Darryl Grant, an Auburn University graduate, would join on shortly after as their new drummer. Together the new and improved S.M.O. relocated to the indie-mecca of Athens, Georgia in early 1998 in the hope of finding an inspiring city and music scene to work from. S.M.O.'s new lineup quickly began to gel. Nonstop touring lead them to develop a fan base rapidly around the southeast and S.M.O.'s songwriting began taking on a new sound as each of the band members diverse influences started to join. Jeremy and Jeremiah's deep connection to funk and reggae would ultimately combine with Jason's melodic improvisational style and Darryl's heavy rock background. S.M.O.'s new sound came from many influences including: The Police, 311, RHCP, Fishbone, Steely Dan, Bob Marley, Rage Against the Machine, and Stevie Wonder. In October 1999 S.M.O. independently released their first full-length studio album Living Instrument. With their confidence level rising and tons of positive feedback piling in from their fans, S.M.O. set out and made 2000 their biggest year to date. In 2000, S.M.O. performed at the Atlantis Music Conference (Atlanta, GA), Athfest (Athens, GA), Bele-Chere Festival (Asheville, NC), MTV Choose or Lose - Voter Registration Drive (Milledgeville, GA) and they performed with national recording artists Fishbone, Finger 11, One Way Ride, Bloodhound Gang, and 8 Stops 7. S.M.O. also went on to gain a sponsorship from Jagermeister before the year's end. In late 2001 recording plans would begin again with the eventual teaming up of S.M.O. with Atlanta producer, Russ-T Cobb. S.M.O. steadily began recording their 2nd album a couple of songs at a time while continuing their touring. Over the summer of 2001, S.M.O. began to start getting some extra attention. First, VH1 contacted S.M.O. and told them that they were in the running for a slot on the 2nd season of "Bands on the Run." Second, S.M.O. won first place in the 98 ROCK Battle of the Bands in Charleston, SC. Third, one of S.M.O.'s new songs, "Keep It Up" was picked to be the lead track on a new compilation CD in Birmingham, AL produced by Dan Nolen of Blackhole Records and Rock 97.3. Fourth, S.M.O.'s song "Keep It Up" was also chosen to be included on the new Jagermeister compilation CD of which 100,000 copies were released nationally in early 2002. To top off what had already been a strong year of growth for S.M.O., the band was also able to score their first round of shows outside of the mainland U.S. in early October 2001. S.M.O. was booked to fly down and perform for four days in St Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The trip was very successful and has since landed them several opportunties to return and enjoy performing there. S.M.O. continued to tour steadily in 2002 thru April. One of their recent shows was an opener for Drowning Pool, Coal Chamber, and Ill Nino on the Jagermeister Music Tour 2002. In late April of 2002, S.M.O. gained another big sponsor teaming up with LANEY USA. S.M.O. now sports all new guitar and bass rigs - Thanks Tom!!! Currently S.M.O. is taking an early summer hiatus while planning for shows up in NYC.		photo by sarah gunn
		photo by sarah gunn
photo by sarah gunn		photo by sarah gunn