Buried Treasure Follows Beauty
One has to wonder whatever became of Los Angeles stoner metal trio Smoke. Their sole full-length, Smoke Follows Beauty, was issued by Kozmik Records in 2002, and they self-released an EP in 2004, never to be heard from again. It’s a true stoner rock “where are they now?”
In the long-long-ago, in the before-times, I was a college radio DJ 
with a stoner and doom specialty show, and Smoke‘s Smoke Follows Beauty was one of the first promos I ever received for on-air play. I don’t know what became of that disc — that’s a lie, it’s either in a laundry basket in my basement with other artifacts of that time or on my shelf — but Smoke Follows Beauty always stuck with me for some reason; its ultra-dank vibes, killer riffs and barely safe for work (BSFW) or at least safe for work if your boss is into cartoon boobage and pubes (SFWIYBIICB&P) Malleus cover art never completely out of mind.
Smoke Follows Beauty (which always reminded me of Sleep’s Holy Mountain for mentioning the band’s name in the album title) languished on my Amazon wish list for years until I finally ordered it and a few other goodies last week. I hadn’t heard the record in more than half a decade, but I put it on this afternoon and experienced the thickened post-grunge Smoke trailed behind them again for the first time. It’s got samples, it’s got weedian lurch, and “Splitfire” has some of the hairiest bass on plastic. I feel more than justified in the six bucks I spent on this used copy.
So although it’s a mystery as to the band’s or the label’s current whereabouts, at least Smoke Follows Beauty is still out there on the cheap for anyone willing to find it. For being nine years old, it doesn’t sound any more dated than stoner rock ever does, and with the added drone elements on “Devil Down” and “Redux,” who knows what Smoke might have been able to accomplish had they kept going. In any case, one good album is farther than a lot of people get, so I’m more than happy to enjoy Smoke Follows Beauty for what it is.
Tags: California, Kozmik Records, Los Angeles, Smoke
Saw those guys a few times. They were a lot of fun. A few years ago I remember the guitar player was in a new band, however their name escapes me at the moment.
They did a big US tour in 2003 and documented it with video, then made a movie (I think it was called Ass,Gas and Grass, or something like that). Don’t know if that’s available anymore. The also had a 4 song ep that came out in 2004. That was limited to 250 or so I think.
This is certainly one of the best buried treasures I’ve come across in a long time. I found a like new used copy last year on Amazon as well and it’s been in the rotation since.
Cool, JJ. I saw these guys when they rolled through Madison, WI. They were very good live. I can’t remember if I got their disc or not, but it’s long gone if I did. Thanks for posting.
Bought this from the band while on tour when they played Mac’s Bar in Lansing, MI. Still a favorite. What a great band not only live but on tape. Put them right up there with seeing Place of Skulls in front of five people at Mac’s as far as a live show. Didn’t care that no one was there to see them and still played a killer set. Love this band as much as band like Cuda, Delicious, Kung Pao, Tummler, and Gonzales. I feel honored to have seen them all. Much respect.
They were pretty good. I really regret not seeing them at SHOD IV in Arizona, 2002. I think they played at an ungodly hour and there was just too much stuff to see at that fest. I actually probably didn’t hear them until years later when I picked up their CD at one of the Emissions I attended.
Man i just found them and I love their music. It’s too bad i never got the chance to even see them, barley hear them because can’t find their music online, IF SOMEONE HAVE THEIR CD, pls upload in a torrent, like me many people is looking for their songs.
Hi guys! Ben from Propane Propane here. I took noticed that Youtube did not have Smokes super epic track “Double Zero”.. So I uploaded it for you! Enjoy the living shit out of it! Cheers fuckers!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQb5Ln-TYAs&feature=youtu.be