Smash Palace returns with their sixth CD, "Everybody Comes and Goes" featuring 10 new songs (plus a cover version of George Harrison's, "I Want to Tell You", recorded for WMGK's "Breakfast with the Beatles" in Philadelphia). The new CD, "Everybody Comes and Goes" brings together many original members of Smash Palace as well as a few guest appearances by members of Quincy. For band leader Stephen Butler, it was an opportunity to collaborate with people he's known since he was a kid.

The new CD can best be described as a musical sound that is modern, yet inspired by echoes of the past. Think Beatles, Kinks, Yardbirds meet XTC, New Pornographers and Tom Petty. It's a big rumble of sound, combining soaring vocal harmonies and melodic guitar riffs.

The song, “Everybody Comes and Goes,” is dedicated to an original member of Quincy, Alex Takach, brother of band member Gerald Emerick Takach, who never had a chance to record with the band. He was murdered by an unknown assailant while on break between shows at a club in Philadelphia. “Everybody Comes and Goes,” is named after one of Alex’s songs which appears at the end of the CD as a snippet of the song he recorded on a tape recorder at a band rehearsal. The tape was in poor condition and this small segment is all that remains of the recording.  For Stephen Butler, the title reflects the comings and goings of musician friends and who still remain friends for many years.

History

Smash Palace was signed to Zip Records in 2005 after the label saw the band perform at the famous Cavern Club in Liverpool, England. This energetic performance led BBC disc jockey, Spencer Leigh to comment that Smash Palace was one of the best live bands he'd seen in Liverpool that year. Zip Records soon issued "Smash Palace: Best of 99-06" that brought about critical praise, an extensive tour in the US and the UK, radio play, and TV appearances.

Band leader Stephen Butler, along with his brother Brian, have a history of making great music. Their first band, Quincy was discovered, then managed by Hilly Kristal, owner of CBGB's, then signed by Paul Atkinson of the Zombies to a deal with Columbia Records. Shortly after the record release, to the band's disbelief, it was sued by Quincy Jones for stealing his name. The Butler Brothers then disbanded Quincy, started over again, forming Smash Palace and securing a new deal with Epic Records.

After a few years of touring and waiting for their major label break, the band went on hiatus as the brothers went on to work as staff writers for BMG publishing. Smash Palace reformed in 1999 to record "Fast Long Loud", followed by "Unlocked" (2001), "Over the Top" (2004) and last year's, "Best of 99-06".

Lineup

Smash Palace is Stephen Butler (lead vocals and guitar), DyAnne DiSalvo (rhythm guitar), Phil Rizzo (bass guitar), Greg Didonato (drums) and Wally Smith (keyboards).