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Artist
The Pills
12+ albums
rockpower popUS rock
about
There have been at least two bands called The Pills--both, oddly enough, hard-hitting power-pop acts from opposite coasts in different decades. The Pills, formed in the summer/fall of 79', were a popular Tucson, AZ-based postpunk/new wave band featuring charismatic lead vocalist Brian Smith, Robin Johnson on Les Paul, Fred Cross on Bass, Rex Estell on Drums. with Mark Smythe, formerly of Isaiah, on lead and sharing vocals, joining after their first gig. The Pills, named after a song by Bo Diddley, and covered by the New York Dolls, as well as the Pills, began when local Punk Band Z-9, replaced the amazingly talented and stunningly beautiful 16 year old Ariel Bagby, with former Suspects (Penn Pendleton, Cliff Green, Lee Joseph) vocalist Brian Smith, a former Olympic-trained bicyclist, and the Pills were born. Brian Smith took this energy on stage and mesmerized audiences with his Mick Jagger like presence meets Johnny Rotten/Joey Ramone/David Johansen bravado, and the sheer energy of his performances. His last effort was with the Beat Angels from Phoenix. Kevin Pate of the Beat Angels just passed in March of 2013. Fred Cross, of Caterwaul/IRS Records fame, was last seen in Phoenix, and rumors of his passing have been heard, though no confirmation. Let's hope it's just a rumor. Breaking up at their peak, at the same time the Clash broke up, they reformed ast the Pills for a short time, and changed their name to Gentlemen Afterdark soon after Winston Watson replaced Rex
