The Crooked Smiles are a 3-piece pop-punk/emo band from Sheffield, UK. The trio have crafted their tone over 2 EP’s, before releasing their debut album in 2022. Combining the raw garage sounds of the late-90s pop-punk scene with a more melodic and polished sound of Mid-Western Emo, The Crooked Smiles put a unique spin on power chord anthems, fueled by poetic lyricism, break-neck drums, and roaring guitar lines.
Founded in 2019, lead singer and guitarist Michael Rodber met drummer Declan Quick loitering inconspicuously outside the toilets of a local rock club. The two quickly bonded over Declan’s Alkaline Trio shirt, and drunkenly promised each other they’d start a band together, and to their surprise they did! At first, practices were nothing more than an excuse to whale along to early 2000’s pop-punk. Before long, and with the help of a friend of the band jumping in for additional guitars, the two strived to cobble together something resembling a song. After a late night coach trip back from a blink-182 cover band show, the lyrics to their first single, Pins and Needles, was put to paper, before the two hit the studio. Later on while on a University trip to the heart of Edinburgh, Rodber bumps into the future bassist of The Crooked Smiles. Over a couple of beers and a stroke of luck at the hostel bar, Michael and bassist George Allen to struck up a conversation on music, before ideas of grandeur (local pub shows) were floated across the table. When the pair returned to Sheffield, George was introduced to Declan, and The Crooked Smiles as you know them were born.
Since those serendipitous beginnings, the trio have crafted their tone over 2 EP’s, before releasing their debut album, Tears in the Palace, now in 2023. Combining the raw garage sounds of the late-90s pop-punk scene with a more melodic and polished sound of Mid-Western Emo, The Crooked Smiles put a unique spin on power chord anthems, fueled by poetic lyricism, break-neck drums, and roaring guitar lines.
TEARS IN THE PALACE is available on:
APPLE, SPOTIFY, DEEZER, AMAZON
& all other digital platforms!
