“The suburbs may have raised us but the city keeps us alive!” - Jessica Komyati of Papi and the Smears.
Papi and The Smears are on a mission. " Rock and Roll is dying.We want to give it a PULSE". This Ohio based band create music that combines of indie bliss, straight out of the garage rock and a sprinkling of the blues. Papi is full on determined to give you a rocking Cleveland centric experience.
The members of the band with the best name out there include Jessica Komyati on lead vocals and guitar, John Jasunas on drums, Devin Ratajczak on bass and harmony vocals.
Having three in a band can be a challenge, but these newcomers who have been jamming quietly are poised to make a splash in the pool of contemporary musical confusion. It seems to me a few bands are stuck in a trendy Americana mode. While some hardcore music lovers are taking to YouTube to find post punkiness, young bands bringing and the grunginess of 90s Nirvana complete with laid back guitar work combined with dragging lyrics. Papi fills the void
"This is How They Leave" is the first song they ever recorded as a band, Jessica pops on the John McEnroe head band and the dark shades. Grips her guitar, holds it low past her waist to bring on the scuzzed out sound complete with light taps on the pedals. I noticed this homemade video is spliced with 2 different recording. In one session with Jessica in her yoga capris then in one shot she is sporting the grunge necessity: flannel an Convers. She sings with a hint of angst in her voice. "What's on the other side of the beach/That's where I am going to go."
Devin (or Low Daddy... continue reading) keeps tangled time on the bass which pairs perfectly with the cymbal experience that John, on drums, makes his own. Nirvana and Mudhoney were messy bands. That is what made them make pure music. Papi and The Smears are bringing back the blissful guitar centric, bass thumping, combined with the perfectly imperfect drum pops. Bring on those drawn out post punking lyrics. I fcan't wait for more.
THE INTERVIEW
Hi,
Thanks for reaching out to us on Instagram, we really appreciate it! Here is a little excerpt for you below. Take what you can use and let us know if you have any other questions or are looking for different types of responses from us. If we were totally off on content we’d be happy to send ya whatever you need :)
Papi And The Smears:
We are a three piece band from Cleveland Ohio. Members include Jessica Komyati on lead vocals and guitar, Devin Ratajczak on bass and harmony vocals, and John “JJ” Jasunas on percussion. We are passionate about representing Cleveland as a place where the music scene thrives! We all love living on the east side of Cleveland and have known each other for a very long time. We just recently started Papi And The Smears because ... well rock and roll is dying and we intend to give it a PULSE!
JJ is our drummer. Hes typically been the guitarist in previous projects so, when he told us he wanted to be the drummer it was shocking. But he really is a great musician and can do anything he puts his mind too. He is coming up on three years sober. Another thing he put his mind too and has stuck with all this time.
Dev (Low Daddy) is our bassist. He grew up playing guitar but when the band began to form he was drawn to the rhythm of the bass. He not only keeps it funky but he keeps us all together he really is the glue of the band.
Jess is the lead vocals and guitar player. She grew up idolizing her brother Garrett Komyati, from the local Cleveland band “The Modern Electric”. Music has always been a huge part of her life. Her Dad was also apart of a band from the 80s called “The Michael O’Brien Band
More Comments
With this much talent, you should support them now... So you can say you liked them before they were famous. Just a suggestion—these kids r GREAT! there's just too much talent an beauty for one band. if u dont go see them the first chance u have, ur just too old to appreciate GREAT talent.
Thanks!
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