Peter Smith – Drums

Since the mid 2000’s Peter Smith has been working with Pete Grandison at Shanghai Twang Studios, playing drums on recordings by local artists. He has a Certificate and Associate Diploma in Jazz Performance from the WA Academy of Performing Arts, is a Bachelor of Music Education,  and has more than thirty years professional experience playing drums and singing harmonies in bands.

Peter Smith’s musical journey began with a cheap guitar. This first step ended in tragedy when his beloved instrument collided with a letterbox while he was riding his bike to a friend’s house. After borrowing a cousin’s drum kit, he decided that drums were for him.

He began playing in earnest in the mid 1970’s. His first ‘professional’ gig was at the High Wycombe Hotel on Xmas Eve 1977 in  Perianda with Richard Koek, David Hyams and Andy Copeman. His first gigging band was the subtly named Meataxe playing heavy rock (a la Black Sabbath + Led Zeppelin), while his first semi-professional band was Radar in 1980 with guitarist Tom Thorpe. Playing rock covers, Radar was also significant for the purchase of Peter’s first real drum kit.

Peter moved east in 1981 to join semi-original New Wave/Punk band, Radio On. Serious young men on a musical mission, Radio On played in and around Sydney, including support spots for Ted Mulry and Jeff St John. (Remember them?)

Back in Perth in 1983, he formed Safety In Numbers, performing A’Cappela and more sophisticated covers. Lots of corporate gigs followed including the openings of Observation City and the Burswood Casino.

In 1987 Peter formed the original band Water Diviners with Peter Anthony, Helen Lorenz and Anne Palumbo. Originally a vehicle for performing Peter Anthony’s compositions, their repertoire soon featured songs from all members of the band.

Funkin’ Wagnals with Peter Anthony and Peter Asotoff was next (1992). A focus on harmony vocals and rockabilly versions of the likes of T Rex’s Get It On gave this band an individual sound. In 1993 Richard Koek replaced Peter Anthony on bass and Paul Lorenz joined as vocalist. The following year they changed their name to Sunkings. Focusing on high energy rock covers with well-arranged harmonies, they performed mostly in country venues, continuing through until 2001.

This century, Peter has played original jazz/rock in Silent Type (2001-2002) and sophisticated lounge music in Purr (2003) with ex-members of Safety in Numbers. He joined Free Radicals in 2004 with local guitar legend Fenton Oldmeadow (Jets), Richard Koek (Sunkings) and Darren Graham (Stonevillains). Since 2006 has been playing with Richard Koek and Miles Petering in BOB and Rehearsal’s For Cowards. Recently joined by Mike Rogers (keyboards/vocals), this quartet plays a selection of covers which have been chosen purely on the grounds that the band likes to play them.

Peter Smith currently works for the WA Education Department.

On Ian Lilburne’s album Ghosts, he plays drums on Ghost, The Border, This Into Something, Get Naked and J. Paul Getty Blues.