Amery Smith
Encyclopedia
Amery "AWOL" Smith is a drummer from Los Angeles, California. He is best known for playing drums in the Venice punk band "Suicidal Tendencies
Suicidal Tendencies
Suicidal Tendencies is a U.S. crossover thrash band founded in 1981 in Venice, Los Angeles, California by Mike Muir, its leader and only permanent member. The band is sometimes credited as one of "the fathers of crossover thrash"...

."

Early Life

Amery Smith spent the first year of his life in Venice then moved 3 miles south with his Father to Playa Del Rey, where he eventually met Suicidal Tendencies
Suicidal Tendencies
Suicidal Tendencies is a U.S. crossover thrash band founded in 1981 in Venice, Los Angeles, California by Mike Muir, its leader and only permanent member. The band is sometimes credited as one of "the fathers of crossover thrash"...

 frontman Mike Muir
Mike Muir
Mike Muir is the lead vocalist of the Venice skate punk bands Suicidal Tendencies Los Cycos and the funk rock band Infectious Grooves...

. “Neighborhood Watch played a backyard party at the house in Playa Del Rey and they had a Suicidal/Venice following. My band opened for Neighborhood Watch at the party and the next day I got a phone call from Mike Muir
Mike Muir
Mike Muir is the lead vocalist of the Venice skate punk bands Suicidal Tendencies Los Cycos and the funk rock band Infectious Grooves...

 asking me if I wanted to try out for Suicidal Tendencies. And I said yes”.

Suicidal Tendencies

Amery Smith played on the 1983 debut album on Lisa Fancher’s Frontier Records
Frontier Records
Frontier Records is an independent record label, started in 1980 in Los Angeles by Lisa Fancher, a former employee of Bomp! Records and writer of the liner notes for the first album by The Runaways....

 and then in 1984 on the newly forming SUICIDAL RECORDS “Welcome to Venice
Welcome to Venice
Welcome to Venice is a crossover thrash album that features local Venice Beach, California punk and metal bands. It was released in 1985 on Suicidal Records.-Album History:...

” album on the song Look up...(The Boy’s are Back). At the time Smith being influenced by drummers such as Rush’s
Rush (band)
Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...

 Neil Peart
Neil Peart
Neil Ellwood Peart , OC, is a Canadian musician and author. He is the drummer for the rock band Rush.Peart grew up in Port Dalhousie, Ontario . During adolescence, he floated from regional band to regional band in pursuit of a career as a full-time drummer...

 used rototom's
Rototom
Rototoms are drums which have no shell. They consist of a single head in a die-cast zinc or aluminum frame. Unlike most other drums, they have a variable definite pitch. Composers are known to write for them as tuned instruments, demanding specific pitches. Rototoms are often used to extend the tom...

 which can be heard in the classic drum intro to “Institutionalized.” Smith had an original and refreshing drum style compared to most punk drummers of 1983. He was also singer Mike Muirs first choice for the band "Los Cycos
Los Cycos
Los Cycos is a U.S. crossover thrash band founded in 1984 in Venice, Los Angeles, California by Suicidal Tendencies frontman Mike Muir. The only recording of the band appears on the rare 1985 release "Welcome to Venice," the debut album and first release from Suicidal Records.-Band biography and...

," which was created during the bands four year recording hiatus and at the time included his long time friend Bob Heathcote
Bob Heathcote
Bob Heathcote is best known for his bass playing in the crossover thrash band Suicidal Tendencies.-Early Life:Robert ”Bob” Heathcote was born May 27th, 1964. He grew up in Westchester, California. His main bass guitar influences were Geddy Lee of Rush and Chris Squire of Yes. One of his first bands...

 (who later joined Suicidal Tendencies on their 1989 “How Will I laugh...” album) on bass, guitarist Grant Estes
Grant Estes
Grant Estes is an American guitarist from Santa Monica, California. He was one of the guitarists for the highly influential band Suicidal Tendencies, during the band's hardcore punk era.-Suicidal Tendencies/Los Cycos:...

 on Leads, Anthony “Bob” Gallo
Anthony Gallo
Anthony "Bob" Gallo is an American lead and rhythm guitarist. He started out at age 16 in the early eighties punk scene and progressed into heavy metal and rock. His career has spanned over 30 years, playing and recording with Megadeth drummer Nick Menza, L.A...

 on rhythm, and Mike Muir
Mike Muir
Mike Muir is the lead vocalist of the Venice skate punk bands Suicidal Tendencies Los Cycos and the funk rock band Infectious Grooves...

 Vocals. Bassist Louiche Mayorga
Louiche Mayorga
Louiche Mayorga is best known for his bass playing in the Venice punk band "Suicidal Tendencies."He co-wrote many of their earlier songs including the punk classic "Institutionalized" from their 1983 debut album on Frontier, as well as" "War Inside My Head," "Possessed To Skate." and the title...

 replaced Heathcote and No Mercy
No Mercy (American band)
No Mercy are a thrash metal band from Venice, California, the brainchild of guitar player Mike Clark, who later played in Suicidal Tendencies.-History:...

 drummer Sal Troy replaced Smith for the recordings. Though he played only a few rehearsals before permanently leaving Los Cycos to form The Brood
The Brood (band)
The Brood was a crossover thrash band from Venice, California featuring former members of Suicidal Tendencies and Neighborhood Watch.-Biography:...

 with guitarist Jon Nelson
Jon Nelson (guitarist)
Jonathan D. "Jon" Nelson is best known for playing lead guitar in the controversial punk band Suicidal Tendencies.-Early life:...

. Los Cycos did record one song “It’s Not Easy” on the “Welcome To Venice” album.

Other Projects

Amery Smith became "AWOL" A nickname bestowed upon him by band mate DJ Hurricane from the Beastie Boys in the early 90′s. “I was never where I was supposed to be. So Cane just said I was awol.” was one of the forming members of Uncle Slam
Uncle Slam
Uncle Slam was an American crossover thrash band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1984 under the name The Brood. They were influenced by punk rock bands of the '80s like Suicidal Tendencies , D.R.I., Corrosion of Conformity, Black Flag and the Circle Jerks, as well as heavy metal bands like...

 , The Brood
The Brood (band)
The Brood was a crossover thrash band from Venice, California featuring former members of Suicidal Tendencies and Neighborhood Watch.-Biography:...

 and forms BS 2000
BS 2000
BS 2000 is the name of a musical side project of Beastie Boys' Adam "Adrock" Horovitz and Amery "AWOL" Smith also with tracks featuring Janay North. In 1997, BS 2000 released their vinyl-only self-titled debut...

 together with Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....

, Ad Rock and has also worked for the band The Mars Volta
The Mars Volta
The Mars Volta is a Grammy award winning American progressive rock band from El Paso, Texas. Founded in 2001 by guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López and vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala, the band incorporates various influences including progressive rock, krautrock, jazz fusion, Latin American music, and...

 as production manager and as a drum tech for Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age is an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States, formed in 1997. The band's line-up has always included founding member Josh Homme , with the current line-up including longtime members Troy Van Leeuwen and Joey Castillo , alongside Michael Shuman and...

, Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group's line-up consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk...

, One Day As A Lion, Jimmy Eat World
Jimmy Eat World
Jimmy Eat World is an American alternative rock band from Mesa, Arizona, that formed in 1993. The band is composed of lead vocalist and guitarist Jim Adkins, guitarist and backing vocalist Tom Linton, bassist Rick Burch and drummer Zach Lind....

 and Green Day
Green Day
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...

. In May 2006, he reunited with his old Suicidal Tendencies bandmates Louiche Mayorga and Grant Estes to create a band named AgainST
Against (American band)
Against is a Crossover thrash band formed in 2006 by singer-songwriter Dan Clements, original Suicidal Tendencies members Grant Estes, Louiche Mayorga and Amery Smith and former No Mercy vocalist Kevin Guercio.-History:...

 with Excel
Excel (band)
Excel was a punk/metal fusion band from Venice, California founded in 1983 by singer Dan Clements and guitarist Adam Siegel. They were influenced by famous 70's punk rock musicians like The Police and The Sex Pistols, and heavy metal bands like Black Sabbath, Trouble, Slayer, Corrosion of...

 vocalist Dan Clements
Dan Clements
Daniel Clements is a singer-songwriter from Venice, California, best known as the lead vocalist of Crossover thrash band Excel and the only member that remained in the group since its formation until its dissolution...

 and former No Mercy
No Mercy (American band)
No Mercy are a thrash metal band from Venice, California, the brainchild of guitar player Mike Clark, who later played in Suicidal Tendencies.-History:...

 singer Kevin "The Jerk" Guercio.

Discography

  • Suicidal Tendencies
    Suicidal Tendencies
    Suicidal Tendencies is a U.S. crossover thrash band founded in 1981 in Venice, Los Angeles, California by Mike Muir, its leader and only permanent member. The band is sometimes credited as one of "the fathers of crossover thrash"...

    • Suicidal Tendencies
      Suicidal Tendencies (album)
      -Personnel:* Mike Muir – lead vocals* Grant Estes – guitar[A]* Louiche Mayorga – bass, backing vocals* Amery Smith – drums-Production:* Glen E...

      - (1983) Frontier Records
    • Institutionalized
      Institutionalized
      Institutionalized may refer to:* The act of being placed in a psychiatric hospital* "Institutionalized" , a song on Suicidal Tendencies 1983 titular album* Institutionalized , a 2005 rap album by American rapper Ras Kass...

       - (1984) Repo Man Soundtrack; Fontana / MCA Records
    • Welcome to Venice
      Welcome to Venice
      Welcome to Venice is a crossover thrash album that features local Venice Beach, California punk and metal bands. It was released in 1985 on Suicidal Records.-Album History:...

      - (1985) played drums on the track "Look Up...(The Boy's Are Back)" SUICIDAL RECORDS

  • Uncle Slam
    Uncle Slam
    Uncle Slam was an American crossover thrash band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1984 under the name The Brood. They were influenced by punk rock bands of the '80s like Suicidal Tendencies , D.R.I., Corrosion of Conformity, Black Flag and the Circle Jerks, as well as heavy metal bands like...

    • Say Uncle
      Say Uncle (album)
      Say Uncle is the debut album of the Los Angeles, California crossover thrash band Uncle Slam, released in 1988.-Track listing:#"Weirdo Man"#"The Ugly Dude"#"Judgment Day"#"Micro Logic"#"Contaminated"#"Up From Beneath"#"Executioner"#"The Prophecy"...

       1988; Caroline Records
    • Will Work for Food 1993; Restless Records

  • Buccinator
    Buccinator
    The buccinator muscle is a muscle at the side of the face.Buccinator may also refer to:* Buccinator artery * Buccinator lymph node* Buccinator nerve * An ancient Roman buccina player...

    • The Great Painter Raphael 1995; Basura! Records

  • Beastie Boys
    Beastie Boys
    Beastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....

    • Ill Communication
      Ill Communication
      Ill Communication is the fourth studio album by the Beastie Boys. It was released on May 24, 1994 via Grand Royal Records. It was remastered and made available on the Beastie Boys' Web site on July 7, 2009....

       1994; Grand Royal / Capitol Records
    • Aglio e Olio 1996; Grand Royal Records

and other various B sides and compilations
  • F-Minus
    F-Minus
    F-Minus was a hardcore punk band formed in 1995 in Huntington Beach, California. Started by Jen Johnson and Brad Logan. F-Minus was known for their dueling male and female vocals in songs that were sometimes as short as 12 seconds . One of their noted primary influences is Nausea, where the vocal...

    • No Time - Give 'em the Boot Compilation 1997; Hellcat Records
    • Methadrine - Old Scars and Upstarts Compilation 1999; Disaster Records

  • BS 2000
    BS 2000
    BS 2000 is the name of a musical side project of Beastie Boys' Adam "Adrock" Horovitz and Amery "AWOL" Smith also with tracks featuring Janay North. In 1997, BS 2000 released their vinyl-only self-titled debut...

    • BS2000 1997; Grand Royal Records
    • Simply Mortified 2000; Grand Royal Records

  • .001 Losers Club
    • Wont Break Me Down 7" 1998; A+ Records

  • Felix
    • Staying Stagnant 7" 2002; New Hit Records

  • Timmy Goes Boom
    • Fast Enough - Every Dog Will Have Its Day Compilation 2002; Adeline Records

  • Leftöver Crack
    Leftöver Crack
    Leftöver Crack is an American punk rock band formed in 1998, following the breakup of the ska punk band Choking Victim. Primarily playing an amalgam of ska and hardcore punk, they classify themselves as "crack-rocksteady". The band is currently signed to Fat Wreck Chords for CD releases, and...

    • Crack City Rockers - Give 'em the Boot 2 Compilation 1999; Hellcat Records
    • Rock the 40 Oz. 7" 2000; Bankshot Records
    • Mediocre Generica 2001; Hellcat Records

  • U.S. Bombs
    U.S. Bombs
    U.S. Bombs are an American punk rock band, formed in 1993 in Orange County, CA. U.S. Bombs consist of vocalist Duane Peters, guitarists Kerry Martinez and Jonny "Two Bags" Wickersham, bass guitarist Wade Walston and drummer Chip Hanna. Vocalist Duane Peters is a legendary professional...

    • American Made - Covert Action 2003; Hellcat Records

  • AgainST
    Against (American band)
    Against is a Crossover thrash band formed in 2006 by singer-songwriter Dan Clements, original Suicidal Tendencies members Grant Estes, Louiche Mayorga and Amery Smith and former No Mercy vocalist Kevin Guercio.-History:...

    • Camarillo, Roll the Dice -
    • Welcome 2 Venice Compilation 2007; Built on an Ounce Records
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