- world roots fusion

In an era of constant predictability, SMAC is creating a musical experience steeped in diverse traditions, while allowing harmony and grooves to flow naturally to new horizons. SMAC was formed through the inevitable amalgamation of roots rock veterans The Stone Merchants and their experimental alter egos, The Ancestors.  The music created by this unique collective may best be described as world roots fusion.

Acoustic guitarist Al Brant's folk rock influences compliment and contrast with Tom Roschkov's blues roots background. Besides sharing lead vocal duties with Al, Tom plays guitar, erhu, lekolilo flute, djembe and other eclectic instruments.  And they harmonize together beautifully.

Bassist John Armstrong and drummer percussionist Kelly Pikula have been collaborating with Tom and Al for the past fifteen years.  SMAC's newest addition, didgeridoo player Vince Sanregret, joined the group in 2001.  The band regularly features guest accompanists including acclaimed guitarist / programmer Eddie Patterson, singer guitarist Kevin Cook and sax / flute / conga / keyboard / multi-instrumentalist, Brett Miles.

In concert, SMAC always keeps the proceedings interesting - alternating lead singers & instruments, morphing from genre to genre or adding other performance elements such as video and dance.   More than just a band, SMAC is a collective dedicated to constantly exploring new media arts, performance interactivity and increased awareness of social and environmental issues.

SMAC's Recordings

SMAC recently released their second CD "Vox Populi" on May 1st, 2004 at the Roxy Theatre in Edmonton, AB.  The new album has been receiving great reviews from local media and the airplay of various songs from CKUA and CBC, so far.  In addition to plenty of stellar guitarwork from Eddie Patterson, the new album also features guest appearances from Brett Miles, singer / percussionist Ken Jans and Jason Kodie on Hammond Organ. Vox Populi was recorded and produced at Homestead Recorders by Barry Allen.

SMAC celebrated the release of their last recording, "Yigi Yigi" (an Australian Aboriginal term for didgeridoo), at the Sidetrack Cafe in Edmonton on October 4th, 2003 as part of the Homestead Variety Showcase. Produced and engineered by multi-award winning studio owner, Barry Allen, Yigi Yigi includes a wide variety of musical approaches.

In addition to the material included on "Vox Populi" & "Yigi Yigi", SMAC's repertoire includes songs from the Stone Merchants' "have another blue juice, mister." This album was released in July of 2001 and marked the addition of Vince Sanregret's didgeridoo to the song, "White Line."  The album was recorded by Paul Schmitz of Prime Time Services and produced by John Armstrong.

Quotes on SMAC

on "Vox Populi" (BMP012 released May 1st, 2004)

"Last fall, they released Yigi Yigi, an experimental disc leaning towards instrumentals and improvisation.  Tonight the group marks the release of Vox Populi, a more structured collection of compelling songs, some new and some drawn from previous solo projects, geared towards a roots-rock style with some unusual blues and worldbeat touches."
- Roger Levesque, Edmonton Journal 05/10/2004

"Listen to their quilted new CD, Vox Populi, and you will hear funk elements, the jazz saxophone of Brett Miles, a self-aware drama not unlike that of Tea Party, plenty of didgeridoo and the overall experimentation and sense of the world that Dave Matthews often attempts."
- Fish Griwkowsky, Edmonton Sun 04/30/2004

on "Yigi Yigi" (BMP0111 released October 1st, 2003)

"Vince Sanregret's arsenal of didges is the backbone of Yigi Yigi (which, by the way, means didgeridoo) and his diverse talents on the rare axe turn an ancient primitive instrument into a sure-fire groove stick. Instrumental tracks such as "Seven Seas,” "Dr. Spice" and "Hummingbird" — where the didge mimics the sound of the bird — are brave world fusion with break beat drums and often screaming guitars.
- Brent Hagerman, Exclaim 02/02/2004

"SMAC is one of Edmonton's most original projects.  Using various incarnations of this vibration-heavy instrument from all parts of the world, SMAC has created an album filled with surprises as it explores world beat, jazz and various forms of rock."
- Francois Marchand, SEE Magazine 12/04/2003

"The disc is awash in a spectrum of styles, from the mysterious, improvisational-rich turn of Seven Seas to the compelling authenticity of Hummingbird.  Free Spirit courses along with an engaging fury as Free Spirit II which rounds out the disc.  It's amazing SMAC nails the tricky balance of merging traditional charms with edgy, modern sensibilities."
- Mark Weber, Red Deer Express 11/01/2003

"Yigi Yigi is not only a ground breaking disc in terms of the local music scene, but it's also a remarkable recording worth the time of listeners from every part of the acoustic world."
- Jenny Feniak, VUE Weekly 10/02/2003

on "have another blue juice, mister" (BMP010 released July 1st, 2001)

"The Stone Merchants (SMAC) have found their sound and have a great taste for what works.  The entire album is worth buying for the folk, blues and rock all played on this new release."
- Amy Anderson, Edson Leader 10/15/2002

"Has the 'Grateful Dead of Edmonton' been taken yet?"
- Mike Ross, Edmonton Sun 09/23/2001

"The songs are straight-forward roots-rock numbers with passionate lyrics and simple yet wonderful arrangements that make use of three of the city's finest guitarists..."
- Wayne Arthurson, VUE Weekly 06/28/2001

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