The Smile is a new band featuring Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood and Sons of Kemet drummer Tom Skinner. They made their live debut at Glastonbury last year and performed via Instagram Live this past December. Yorke even played one of their songs at a Letters Live event at London’s Royal Albert Hall last October. So there’s been a lot of build up for this super trio. And today, we get their first official release titled “You Will Never Work in Television Again.”
The riotous track, which was produced by Nigel Godrich, holds zooming guitars and caffeinated drum blasts. Yorke’s voice breaks through singing, “Fear not my love / He’s fat fucking mist / Young bones spat out / Girls slitting their wrist / Curtain calling for a kiss.” Immediately, we’re confronted with provocative imagery, possibly hinting at the virulent atmosphere of the entertainment industry (“Some gangster troll promising the moon” is mentioned in another poignant line). Soon after, Yorke spits out the words “bunga bunga or you’ll never work in television again.” It all sounds vicious and incredibly cool.
In addition to their debut single, the group also announced they’ll play three consecutive live shows within a 24-hour period at Magazine London on January 29 and 30 at noon, 5 p.m., and 3 a.m. PST. Don’t worry, the shows will be broadcast on a live stream produced by Driift with instruction from award-winning director Paul Dugdale.
Mark your calendars, and listen to “You’ll Never Work in Television Again” below.
