Gideon began singing with local bands in the Carolina music scene in 1989. In 1997, he formed “Gideon Smith & The Dixie Damned” with friends Otis Hughes and Boo Duckworth; who were formerly of the PolyGram Records act, Animal Bag. In 1998 they recorded a self-titled EP which was picked up for distribution by ‘Game Two Records’. Small Stone Records signed Smith in 1999 after hearing the disc.
Gideon Smith’s music has been compared to that of The Cult, The Allman Brothers, Black Sabbath, The Doors and other classic rock acts. Blending the influences of Southern rock, blues, psychedelia, country and heavy metal, his music has been described as being traditional, yet unique. He is credited as one of the architects of the modern Southern stoner rock hybrid-style. His baritone vocal style has elicited comparisons to Jim Morrison, Ian Astbury, Elvis Presley, Nick Cave and Andrew Eldritch.
These days Gideon is kicking it around his Charlotte, NC town and he even launched a fantastic website called http://www.cosmic-rock.com where he talks with musicians that he admires.Ā Gidās was awesome enough to take the time out to do a Q&A with me and Iām proud to share this with yāall!Ā Enjoy!
Gid, thanks so much for taking the time to do this here interview my friend.
G: Hey Don, howāre you bro? Hope youāre doing well man. No problem, of course and anytime. Thanks for taking the time to speak with me today.
I lived in the Charlotte area (Concord) for about 4 years and it was damn near impossible to not know of the Gideon Smith and the Dixie Damned.Ā Can you give me a brief history of how your vision started and carried on for so many years?
G: Hey man Iām honored to know that you followed the music all these years and keep up with me now.Ā Thatās cool you were into the GSDD trip back in the day. Those were really fun magical times. I started it in 1997 with Boo and Otis who had been in the Los Angeles rock band Animal Bag. We made an ep at Reflections and then I got signed to Small Stone in 1999 and we did the first album. I think the vision at the time was to be a hard rock, blues, space rock band and Otis came up with the name which was meant to describe the sound, i.e. dark and bluesy. I started it with a sense of iron determination and a chip on my shoulder to go forth and conquer. But about two years into it once it started to flow it was so fun, all the doors opened. Over the years so far there are three albums on Small Stone Records. It carried on all these years as it continues to grow in audience and the people who enjoy it keep it alive and flourishing. Iām grateful for the journey and that the music means something to anybody. I loved classic rock like The Doors, Led Zeppelin, The Cult, Black Sabbath, Hawkwind so the GSDD trip is a traditional bluesy rock sound but also there are no rules to it all. Ā I put a lot of my heartās shine and life blood into pushing that warship to the ocean shore until it took on its own life and gained momentum. It was a bloody eyed determined battle in the beginning to prove something to the world and then in time you realize the only things you have to prove are to yourself, then the rest has been an easy awesome adventure.
After well over 20 years, how does it feel to be considered an icon of the southeast music scene?
G: Ā Ā After I have put all this time and heart into the music Iām honored if people have high regard for me like that. I feel good knowing people see me like that, itās rewarding but I donāt take it too seriously. You fight with all you have to get there and when you do itās kind of a still, quiet place. You look around and feel appreciative.
Was it ever a bummer that you didnāt āmake it bigā or were you just content making music on your own terms regardless of the outcome.
G:Ā No there has never been any sense of disappointment around it. As far as career accomplishments if you look at the story of the GSDD stuff from the demo cassette in Charlotte NC to present day my music is given such love and acclaim I am just so grateful. There are definitely some things Iād have done differently but the key is you learn and apply it to the future. The story isnāt over for my music, but for now, yeah man there is no depression about it. Only gratitude and joy.
Iāve heard people refer to you even here in Atlanta as the hard rock version of Col. Bruce Hampton.
G: Hey thatās an honor. He was a very cool guy and awesome musician. Iām honored if someone compares me to him. He was an interesting, innovative eccentric loved by many. Maybe we were both guys who loved music and tried to bring people together.
You had quite the cast of characters in the Dixie Damned over the years including drummer Boo Duckworth who also played in Animal Bag (RIP).Ā The passing of Boo really hit the community hard as did the passing of Animal Bag guitarist Rich Parris.Ā Did it make the community stronger or do you feel it kind of broke it a bit?
G: Ā Boo was a powerhouse drummer and one of the best friends I ever had. I think his passing away so many years ago was a terrible loss for all the people who loved him. Rich was the same way, a truly world class guitar hero but a unique fascinating person loved by many. The void is a wound for us who loved them, but it made the appreciation stronger for those of us common friends who are around today. I will always miss those guys until I catch a wave riding in the astral seas with them in the beautiful next world.
In this crazy political time, it seems that hatred, racism, and all other forms of hate have come out of the wood work to rear its ugly head.Ā Do you think that us as musicians should use our art to fight back or to create a space where we just try and block it out?
G: Good question. It is true these are trying, crazy times. All of this technology is a great tool for all kinds of good potential but it also has warped many peopleās minds and creates this underlying anxiety across the map of daily life unless you control your perspective or choose not to use it. Itās true these are arduous, bizarre times and I dislike much of what I see in the world everyday. Thank the Gods for good people who make a difference. Yeah I see the weak misdirected hatred, shameful racism, encouragement of sociopathic traits are cool and pleasing to many. Itās all alien to me, very sickening. People are encouraged to viciously react to argue (online) where itās not necessary, to delight in lowly dishonorable behavior, so many people are totally out for their own gain and donāt have any compassion or empathy. Itās as if the worst aspects of human nature are amplified and praised, while things like honor, virtue and love are less valued by the common man. Thatās one reason why I am thankful for the recent popularity of the ideal of a noble warrior among music fans: the Samurai code of Bushido, books like the Hagakure, the glorification of Norse Viking Culture, a rise in reclaiming pagan spirituality. Itās healthy for people to have heroes where they discover them then move onward to be an example for others. The warrior, the sage, the shaman, the healer, the artist, the lovers will save the world. Music and art in general should be pure and given to the world because it vibrates on a soul level. Ā I believe in wild freedom, love, passion, music and magic regardless of shifting times in history.
Thereās a David Crosby song called āWhat Are Their Names?āĀ Thereās a lyric that says, āWhat are their names and on what streets do they live?Ā I’d like to ride right over this afternoon and give them a piece of my mind.ā If you could āride right over thereā, what would you say?
G: Ā If I ran into the behind the scenes forces among human civilization that truly run the world, Iām make friends with them, learn all about their ways, improve and then Iād stone cold take it over. Iād make it awesome for everybody.
Who are some of your favorite underdog musicians from the southeastern part of the US?
G: Ā I admire people who live for it from the heart, it shows in all they do. Musicians, Iād name too many. As far as musical people Iād say big props to Scott Harrington from Salt of the Earth for all he does to encourage musicians. Much respect for Todd Severin and Ripple Media company. Much love and respect to Small Stone Records family, Scott is the man.
You have taken a hiatus from music for a while.Ā Is it something you see yourself going back to at any point?
G:Ā Ā In the future Iāll probably do side projects for fun. My doom band Cemetery Crows and others. I want to do several fun side bands like that in different styles. I wouldnāt be surprised if there were more GSDD records or shows down the line. Taking the time away has been so healthy for me, away from the daily submersion in the band culture and the good and bad can entail. Stepping back helped me learn so much more and rediscover my love for music in deeper happiness. Iām so glad because my life is so much happier. Music means more to me now than it ever did, its more exciting like it was when I first started. Stepping back washed a lot of the nonsense away you donāt see when youāre so close to it all. If I do return to it, it will be on my terms and with a whole new perspective. I will return when the stars align.
One of the things I love is that you have kept your iron in the fire with your online webzine Cosmic Rock.Ā What made you step from behind the mic to the computer?
G: Ā Probably due to burnout, health challenges up and down for years. I went through some challenging times and took a break from it all. I havenāt played shows or recorded anything in years.Ā I decided at the time if I wasnāt doing my own music it was honorable to encourage and shine a light on other artists. Creative people are treated like dirt by mainstream society. They are ignored, mocked, reviled, called crazy, blamed for their gifts the Gods gave them in so many cases. Theyāre overwhelmed by their gifts and need to be encouraged. Others depend on them for great things in life but not all of them are respected for the weight they carry to give it to you. If you are given creative abilities by the Gods those are rare mighty gifts that serve a purpose for the world. Ā History in the hands of men is directed by the idea people, the ones who have a light go on and make something cool happen for us all. Helping artists out is satisfying because I see the happiness it brings.
Youāve interviewed quite a few bands.Ā What bands in particular have caught your ear moreso than others?
G: Man truly I dig all of them. If there is an article on any artist I have some hand in digging what they do or we wouldnāt feature them.Ā Pat Riot brings in a lot of groups I may not have heard of. Itās cool to see what he will show up with. Heās much more on the scene than I am in any way. I dig Disenchanter, Black Road, Al Yeti, Erik Caplan, Alexis, Kayt Vigil, Von Bury, Shy Kennedy, all of them. We donāt write about anybody we donāt like or weāre not interested in.
Iāve noticed youāve interviewed some younger up and coming bands such as Book of Wyrms and Black Road.Ā Does hearing young people playing music like this give you a little bit of hope that this music isnāt dead or even near dying?
G: Yeah man I love those bands.Ā I believe some of these artists are bringing excitement back because their influences are very cool and their enthusiasm for the music is inspiring. I see these new bands and the way their friends get excited about them. Itās fun to see the purity of it.
Gideon, before we close out, what would be your elevator pitch to get people to come over and check out Cosmic Rock?
G: I would say Cosmic Rock.com is like youāre sitting in as a guest in cool conversations with interesting artists from all walks of life. Come hang out and read a few. Be quiet please, weāre about to begin.
Thanks for being such a great guest and an awesome friend, Gideon and nothing but the best to you my friend!
G: You too brother. Thank you for that and I wish you the best too man. Ride on Collins Drive. Be cool Don. Outside I hear the wolves in the forest calling me to join them and I must leave now. Iāll catch you soon bro.
About The Author
