The Smile Is F***ing Awesome. There I Said It.

🎫 Tickets for LIVE! Justin Hawkins Rides Again...for the first time! UK Tour: tinyurl.com/kneukve2
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Today I'm listening to The Smile for the first time ever! This song is called Wall of Eyes. I'm a huge Radiohead and Thom York fan, so I'm interested to see what this new project is like. What do you think?
You can watch ‪@thesmiletheband‬'s music video for Wall of Eyes in full here, due to copyright I can only play really small sections: • The Smile - Wall Of Ey...
My JHRA Tour Dates:
18th March - Norwich LCR UEA [SOLD OUT]
19th March - Bristol St George's [LOW TICKETS]
20th March - Sheffield Memorial Hall
21st March - Glasgow The Glee Club [SOLD OUT]
22nd March - Gateshead The Glasshouse Sage 2
24th March - London Bloomsbury Theatre [SOLD OUT]
25th March - London The Beck Theatre
26th March - Cardiff The Glee Club [LOW TICKETS]
27th March - Birmingham The Glee Club [SOLD OUT]
29th March - Salford The Lowry [LOW TICKETS]
30th March - Liverpool St George's Hall
31st March - Leeds City Varieties Music Hall
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Justin Hawkins Rides Again...The Podcast. You can listen on Apple Podcast, Spotify etc: open.spotify.com/show/0hQYjIw...
The Darkness are going on tour in Japan & Australia to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Permission to Land. Tickets: www.thedarknesslive.com/tour-...
#thesmile #thomyorke #review

[@JustinHawkinsRidesAgain]

Come see me do this in person, tickets and dates here: tinyurl.com/kneukve2

[@rhiannonstundon3643]

Will be there ❤

[@jeffmunkynutz1568]

Just pre record the intro ya bonehead 😂 Its not cheating, ya sing for a living man. Thom yorke is definately an enigma, its almost like hes trying to make something ppl wont like but cant help but knock out cool. His ability to hit dark patterns is amazing, yet what comes out is uplifting, hes really squared the circle.

[@glennbrooksby8405]

The cap is back a most prized possion

[@pacofernandez4591]

Come to Copenhagen, Justin! Bremen Teater would be great for your show!

[@SuziQ.]

New impersonator with 100 comments on your channel today. It looks like the old one, but the account was created today. 🤬

[@SodiumWage]

Thom and Johnny always capture that lonely in-between feeling of being surrounded by people yet still being terribly alone.

[@jackpfiester5013]

Listen to Thom Yorke cover Neil Young's On The Beach.

[@whitebuffalo4904]

i so badly wish that i could as succinctly convey such feelings of alienation whilst being surrounded by life. i struggle to greatly.

[@kidamnesiac1724]

Greatest Songwriting duo of all time. Don’t shoot me. lol.

[@barryjones2638]

Nice, very ironic. Kudos!!!😁

[@zackzallie8735]

Sort of like that Robin Williams quote saying that being lonely in a crowd is worse than being alone.

[@blindmansbluff]

A light for attracting attention is an absolute masterpiece. I've played it more than any other album this year. It stands shoulder to shoulder with Radiohead's own masterpieces.

[@rhiannonstundon3643]

Agreed

[@ShonnDaylee]

Most accurate statement I've seen all year. What an absolute masterpiece.

[@tedstoklosa5707]

This is true

[@_CoasterNinja]

Completely agree. Think Thom and Jonny have been doing some of their best work the past few years. Solo works, scores, soundtracks, collaborations, all of them have been great.

[@whatbooks7908]

and hey I agree too!

[@fernandooliveiralino]

In high school one of my best friend's favorite bands was The Darkness. Mine was Radiohead. We used to mock each others favorite bands. 20 years after this feel so wholesome to me.

[@roljavi]

In high school my favorite band was Soundgarden and my best friend's favorite band was Rage Against The Machine. Same thing, there wasn't a day when we didn't mock each others favorite bands, total roasting, but it's not that we actually hated those bands, we were doing it for fun. We got separated after high school and years later we met each other and the first thing we said to each other after saying "hi" was: Audioslave, which just released their first album and we were laughing so hard.

[@chriskramer9311]

​@@roljavithis is great thanks for sharing

[@fernandooliveiralino]

@@roljavi It was exactly like that with us. We haven't talked for years. I'm going to use Justin's video to talk to him again.

[@NinStardust]

You REALLY need to listen to The Darkness’s cover of Radiohead’s ‘Street Spirit (fade out)’. 😅 Here’s the link 🥰 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGHWgKKkoLyfn6csi=W9tcmot9UDFywKEJ

[@step0601]

Bending Hectic is unbelievably good. Only heard it recently and it just blew me away. Thom Yorke's voice is unreal.

[@carrfarm5604]

Absolutely. It’s incredible.

[@stevecasemusic]

💯

[@spooniecrafts]

Yeah Pana-vision is one of his best vocal performances in the studio in recent years. Beautiful!

[@spooniecrafts]

And Bending Hectic is an amazing song. I cried and had goosebumps the first time I heard it

[@MostlyLoveOfMusic]

Best Smile track so far, apart from maybe the television one

[@patrickcrowther9195]

The Smile brought out the best in your music analysis. Beautiful music and a wonderful appreciation of it. 30 years into a career and Yorke and Greenwood are still on a creative high. Astonishing.

[@majorlybad]

Their album was good enough to be a Radiohead one. Thom has really looked after his voice. Can still hit those highs.

[@benwilliams5760]

I actually preferred The Smile's album to A Moon Shaped Pool, which is saying something!

[@hike3037]

​@@benwilliams5760what.. You guys are insane

[@GIBKEL]

This is one of the greasiest songs they’ve done….that may sound derogatory but it’s a compliment. This song is over 5 minutes and it sounds like an illusion. It sucked me in and took me away but it felt like a few moments at most. You need to listen to the first lp. It’s brilliant.

[@B400]

I've just listened to The Smile for the first time, and oh boy, they are straight on my Playlist. Cheers for the heads up, Justin.

[@benwilliams5760]

Their album really, really grows on you. Just so brilliantly haunting!

[@B400]

@@benwilliams5760 It sure does.

[@charlesgonzalez6543]

Dear Justin, the Darkness' performance in San Francisco on October 2nd was one of best shows I've seen all year. You all proved that you are one of great rock bands of this world and... your podcast is excellent too and I watch it religiously. With that being said, I just wanted to say thank you for your contributions to music and rock and roll. Cheers, CG (San Francisco, CA)

[@Nighthawk2211]

Anything Thom touches is beautiful, in my opinion. Looking forward to this one!

[@PoppaDocRocks]

Everything they do is absolutely brilliant. The video for “Friend of a Friend” is such a genius piece of art.

[@thefleshexperience]

This was great!! I love The Smile almost as much as I love Radiohead and that’s saying a lot. Their first album was BRILLIANT and I saw them on that tour and they were even more amazing. Thom & Jonny are like Lennon & McCartney to me.

[@jokennedy2943]

Thom & Jonny - musical genius

[@wernermoritz882]

You mean their work together is genius? or are both geniuses?

[@Artificial_Elysium]

Tom Skinner, too! I see a lot of people don’t give him enough praise for his awesome skills, especially as a drummer.

[@RickKosickFilms]

I saw The Smile last year and they’re definitely a must see live

[@BKandtheUnderstanding]

Agreed. The Smile and Radiohead are just f***ing fantastic.

[@rhiannonstundon3643]

Its an odd pairing on the surface, to have your two favourite bands as The Darkness and Radiohead, and yet somehow, when I hear The Darkness cover Street Spirit 20 years on, it all makes beautiful sense.

[@ScottRainsford-iq6xy]

Unexpected this morning listening with black coffee… now on my third rotation of it - really gets under your skin - bravo Justin - love getting an intro to a new friend - will do my best to catch you guys in NZ next year

[@Rocksarum]

Thanks for enlighten us with new interesting stuff!👍 Whenever I listen to Thom, I like to lie down on a comfy surface, close my eyes and enjoy every note🎶🎶🎶

[@jocey42]

Everything you said i nodded furiously to, I paused you to go and pre order the album ( blue vinyl mmm) it's like In Rainbows2.0+++ ❤❤❤

[@JF-kv1gm]

Had the great fortune to see The Smile in Ferrara July of last year in a beautiful piazza. 2nd row from the stage. They were AMAZING. Looking forward to the release of their second LP in the New Year! Thanks, Justin! X

[@ThisUsernameSystemF-ckingSucks]

I wish that either I leave Perth or Radiohead/The Smile (both terrific) comes back here for the first time in like 20 years lol.

[@ExileOnDaytonStreet]

As someone who hasn't properly studied music... I always look at Jonny's guitar playing and am mystified. It always feels so out of left field and yet it consistently works so well.

[@raquelsnt]

Spotify has chosen you like my favourite podcast! And The Darkness my top artist. I am sure more than one around here is in my same situation 😂

[@IsaacArt408]

They are incredible! Always love Thom Yorke's work! Glad to hear you're a fan too 🖖♥️

[@TheEternalSigh]

We were at one of those original ‘Magazine’ shows in London. It was a special gig.

[@sah-win]

Just watched the full vid. Now I’m watching their session on KEXP and really digging it. I never gave Radiohead much attention, but I’ll definitely be diving into The Smile. Maybe Radiohead after.

[@RyanA123]

Enjoy the journey. Radiohead is unreal

[@caerbenogg]

Discovered this band one year ago and I'm really happy that I did! Brilliant and creative art!

[@likepaintedkites]

Totally gorgeous, this. You love music so much!!!💙

[@andrewgonzalez6208]

I saw the smile this summer in nyc and it was just as amazing as any Radiohead performance

[@mygic183]

God, I saw them live in Austin 3 or 5 months ago, outstanding, the drummer s just the best!

[@davidkalil5698]

I was there, too! Great show

[@raquelsnt]

Love your instrumental version too, care your beautiful voice!❤

[@charlesbronson5235]

Just saying 👋🏻 and still say the first tour you guys did in the states way back when is still my favorite fucken concert ever. Right up front and center being part of all the excitement was incredible 👍🏻💪🏻✌🏻🎸

[@tracywilliamson4275]

I also saw them on the first USA tour in 2004, saw them live and loved it. Saw them again last month, and I had a front row view as well. Nothing better than that! Except maybe being in the front at the first INXS tour in 1983. That was also cool.

[@aldo34]

Love this review, emotive but also technical - thanks man! And yeah, quality track from yer Smile as always.

[@MariaFrancesca]

It was interesting, not immediately appealing but still drawing you in... music to listen to in the night when you are alone with your thoughts... I kept wanting to hear an owl in the distance...

[@joesfca]

The Smile was such a pleasant surprise last year. A couple songs brought me to tears. So cathartic after all the Covid BS. Can't wait for the next full LP.

[@relevantbrother8964]

RIP to all the people who lost their lives after contracting the disease.

[@ofcatarina]

Yea, Radiohead is my fav band (if I were forced to pick.) I was really excited to hear your cover of street spirit. People are often confused when I list Johnny Greenwood as one of my fav guitarists, but if you haven't heard it yet, you gotta watch their full set live at la reservoir.

[@thesadwolf]

Nigel Godrich didn't just produce Radiohead in the 90s. He did most, if not all their 2000-2015 albums. Fun, bonus fact, he only produced one song, Black Star, on The Bends.

[@buttonskill]

The appreciation shown for The Smile, and all of Radiohead's solo projects, makes me wonder, "What kind of music would a Justin Hawkins solo project be? Would we get some haunting melodies?" Because I'm here for it.

[@davidevans7897]

Kinda exists and is called Hot Leg

[@FreyaGem]

I can't believe I missed the existence of this project until now. Thank you for posting, Justin! A Light For Attracting Attention has got to be one of the best albums I've ever heard, coming from a die-hard Radiohead fan. I am beyond ecstatic and will probably have them on repeat for the next year.

[@StephenReid-hk8hs]

Scam 👍

[@alos4025]

I love your love of Radiohead/The Smile. I've been a fan of Radiohead since the 90's and have studied their music for most of my adult life. Cheers!

[@norfolkronin6307]

Great to see you survived Justin and looking great. Great insight. Bless you and takecare from Narch!

[@gloaming4247]

Skirting on the Surface is an incredible song, intricate like a swiss watch. It's so beautiful it brought me to tears that in a world filled with so much shit there are still beings out making this and sharing this with us.

[@colliedogjoy]

Saw them in Camden last year and it was epic. So massive, and yet it felt under the radar somehow. Such dedicated men. Joy!

[@groovymcnasty]

Great reaction, I was lucky enough to see The Smile live this summer at a festival in Ottawa Canada. Incredible musicianship with Johnny and Tom switching between bass, guitar and keys…a mind blowing performance. Highly recommend

[@kiv9431]

Thanks for this! I didn’t know this project existed. I now have been listening to their ’22 album nonstop. F****g awesome indeed!

[@phjelectrical]

Just found your channel reviewing my favourite music and love that you feel exactly the same way I do when I listen to Thom and Jonnies music.... just sent your reviews to my son who's on the same train as us! You have a new brother and son!! 😂

[@danmallin6018]

Brilliant Justin, love your enthusiasm for Thom, RH 👌

[@mirapiccolo6601]

Really interesting...Take care of your wonderful voice dear Justin...

[@cito1974tv]

Thank you for reviewing this. I love The Smile. Their first album slaps.

[@salishseamermaid]

My son is a huge fan of Thom York, and I took him and a friend to see them when they came to Seattle. FANTASTIC show!! Like being in a two hour trance.

[@bendtowardsthesun]

Total magic. Always a thrill and an honour to experience their creations. Also... Pavement! The most unexpected reference, but holy shit - yes.

[@nancyholzel1518]

so good. from early on his their stuff just hits u in a special way. btw mime intro was interesting didn't have to adjust my volume

[@MNelson900]

I absolutely love this recording, and I'm looking forward to the release of the new record in January. I also love how well Paul Thomas Anderson's approach to making these music videos compliments the music Thom Yorke has made over the years.

[@Morganamps]

You gave words to how I feel when I listen to the smile. Thank you!

[@rocket811]

Good to see you again mate. Keep it up. Gutted when you didn't make Eurovision that one time. Listening to The Smile on repeat...

[@CharlesGund]

Great review. I also remember the Darkness’ nod to Radiohead when they opened Glastonbury ‘03 at a daft time, like 10:30am, and proceeded to play a storming version of Street Spirit. I was on the front barrier with my friend and was really excited for my first festival. You walked on stage and said ‘We are The Darkness and we are your rock before breakfast!’ - great memories!

[@potNuts]

Helllll yeah. Been ripping this album since it came out. Unreal.

[@sagittated]

I preordered the vinyl of Wall of Eyes, and I don't even have a turntable yet. 😅

[@sah-win]

If you’re still looking, check out U-Turn Audio.

[@phoenixgirl70]

Radiohead has been my favorite band for 30 years and basically anything Thom is a part of. It amazes me how they keep making beautiful music and so different. I know many people prefer their more traditional guitar driven records, but guitars have always been involved and just used in different ways. To appreciate it best Justin is absolutely right, lay down and if you’ve got good headphones use them too. It’s just crazy how a bunch of school kids could end up one of the most amazing bands with geniuses like Greenwood and Yorke still coming up with new stuff you just appreciate in a different way. I’ve seen them 11 times. I’m dying to see The Darkness, I’ve watched so much on YT but health problems have put a stop to my love of live music. It looks like such a good time! Love all the guys. Hoping the rest of the tour goes smooth and creates new great memories for everyone!

[@Jo3yW]

That's sad, I hope your health improves and you can get back out to gigs again soon 🤞🏼

[@phoenixgirl70]

@@Jo3yW Thank you so much, but unfortunately that won’t happen. I’m actually lucky I was good for so long! But I was able to see a bunch of great artists over the years. Live music is just the best! I hope you’re enjoying the Holliday’s and the new year brings great things for you and those you love.

[@Nicolasmondragon707]

Justin Fucking Hawkins Rides Againnnnnnn!! It’s time for Justin to review my band Xhilerate 🎸

[@pacofernandez4591]

I just enjoy and love Justin's musical appreciation and curiosity... You're a true star, Justino! :)

[@swiftykai]

I was waiting for thisss

[@connynini]

Well just discovered another track of The Smile on your channel! First encounter with you Justin in the digital cosmos, was you analysing 'a Friend of a Friend'. What a pleasure. Love the way you feel the music and put this into words. The music of The Smile really gets under your skin. Coming to London for their gig in the Alexandra Palace the 23th of march and as Howe Gelb expresses it so wel: coincidentalism exists. I was able to book the last ticket! (must have been a cancellation because it was sold out before) of your JHRA live at the Bloomsburry Theater. Looking forward.

[@eugenesteenhuisen4065]

Great song. Will be looking out for the album.

[@TheRobuel]

I was fortunate to see one of the 3 London shows , when they first gigged.absolutely magical.

[@atomicsmith]

This channel grows in awesomeness by the day.

[@TheGuitarModder]

The tune is a total grower, as pretty anything yorke and Co release. The mix is sublime. I was at one of live stream shows, awesome experience. It was such an intimate gig you could have smelt the bands aftershave

[@himeisfred]

Saw them in Milan on their last tour. Heading to Glasgow to see them again in March. Great act.

[@mediapcaccount1154]

damn man. Back when I was in school, me and my friends found you covering street spirit fade out live on youtube and we couldn't get over what a sick cover it is. It's still one of my favorite covers to this day. My friends thought you were making fun of radiohead but I could tell it came from a big fan, it was just too good. Glad to see I was right.

[@HamptonFarly]

Sounds brilliant!

[@benwilliams5760]

You're bang on about The Smile. Coming to see The Darkness in Norwich next week- wife doesn't know it yet as it's a surprise, She's gonna lose her sh*t!!

[@silasderoma4726]

Your musical dissections never disappoint. Great work from the Macabre Laboratory of the Maniacal Dr. Hawkins....

[@kchodron406]

Not sure how The Smile completely passed me by 😮. KZbin has been very remiss in it's music recommendations because I was playing Radiohead on repeat through the lockdowns. This is a very exciting revelation!!

[@Tony-zg1xe]

There first album became one of my top listened to albums this year since I had it on repeat constantly. The same, the opposite, pana-vision and the smoke are my favourites but you have to listen to this album front to back it’s a great experience.

[@michalasek5041]

Oh, you should absolutely check 'bending hectic' by them. It's unreal

[@philippemarne1793]

0:29 Thank you so much, Justin, that's really sweet - Btw, your KZbin miniatures are just perfect nowadays - Cheers!

[@lloydrobson]

Love this, and you know your stuff Justin 👍🏻🎸

[@cherylhurst7093]

This is very tripoy and cool sounding.

[@TheyfoundRickGrimes]

This reminds me of the song Daydreaming -love it 😎 I highly recommend the Suspiria soundtrack also, it’s beautiful! ✨

[@redadamearth]

The whole album is incredible. "Friend of a Friend" is a masterpiece, alone.

[@thomaskimball764]

Saw these guys in NYC this summer (2023). AMAZING show. Skinner is an outstanding drummer without being showy. A few technical glitches, but outstanding show.

[@malcolmpritchard4882]

You explain music so Well especially the smile , lm so hooked on them me and my son are going to see them on the 19th we have just been to see Editors at the O2 academy Liverpool last Thursday got to say Brilliant my third time what a band 👍👍👍

[@stephenhitchen6102]

Went to see The Smile on the first night of the European tour. A full house in Zagreb and so hot and sweaty that Thom commented halfway through that he'd wanted a sauna anyway. A couple of false starts due to not having played the songs live so much (Thom - "Sorry, I fucked that up.") but a great gig and debuted a song they had 'written that afternoon'. Good times.

[@Vampiracho]

Writing a great chord sequence is the ultimate accomplishment in this post-everything era.

[@caupain66]

Legends I freaking love it as well!!!!! It’s like being wrapped in a blanket after being rescued from the woods lol!

[@TheHeggahegga]

"It's only a matter of time before every note you play is the right note". Love it!

[@maffman2001]

Reminds me of Bowie’s last album. Great sound.

[@profitnadeem]

This is definitely psych-therapy music and Thom s vocal genius with those layers! JH you are the mf man!!!!1

[@cherylhurst7093]

Maybe save money on my therapy bills by listening to this.

[@profitnadeem]

@@cherylhurst7093 same lol sounds great

[@ThisUsernameSystemF-ckingSucks]

​​@@cherylhurst7093man, if only it were that easy. Its certainly stopped me stepping off the edge a few times.

[@davidguffman]

Simply beautiful and amazing.

[@markpalmer932]

So funny…trying to navigate the harmonious harmonies. Laughing so hard! Brilliant.

[@thenoodleator]

Thom. I have a shrine.

[@nicbongo]

Get in line!

[@thenoodleator]

@@nicbongo We can stand next to each other. Lets form a wall.... of eyes or something, I guess.

[@667neighbourofthebeast]

​@@nicbongoI interpreted that three ways. Lol.

[@RobinPalmerTV]

Just heard Wall of Eyes on 6 Music and it is so so hauntingly beautiful. Not much into Radiohead but this project sounds much more musically adventurous. Superb stuff.

[@jamie21641]

It is Radiohead

[@89.]

this song keeps growing on me so hard its very very intricate

[@vanilla_milkshake]

you have to listen to Bending Hectic by The Smile... its terrifyingly gorgeous

[@seanmcglinn3941]

Justin I love you’re energy and sincerity. You , Thom Yorke , and Jeff Buckley really inspired me. You’re all vocal acrobatics. Cheers to your humble humor talent and humility bro :)

[@lifethroughaleicalens]

I saw them in 2022 at the Theatre Greek in Taormina. They were absolutely outstanding.

[@Davidwv97]

Oh you should check out Thin Thing and We Don't Know What Tomorrow Brings from A Light For Attracting Attention. My favourite The Smile songs. Your rendition of Street Spirit was really good in Amsterdam by the way!

[@naznomad635]

It's like an acoustic Sigur Rós. Honestly, not for me, but I did give it a listen, which is how we discover new things

[@SuziQ.]

Not for me, either, but I did play it in iTunes before watching this. You never know where you’ll find good music.

[@MrPatrickslovell]

You get better every day.

[@barryjones2638]

I caught the livestream concert film on Sly arts last summer and I was just blown away. A light for attracting attention is a Bonafide Masterpiece, easily as good as In Rainbows or Hail to the Thief (my two favourite Radiohead albums), and definitely the best work they’ve done outside of Radiohead. The Smile’s new album drops in January, can’t f#ckin wait!!!❤ ps. Wonderful reaction Justin, they’re rather good aren’t they?