Get Smart! (band)

Career

Get Smart! came together in 1980 while its members were students at the University of Kansas. Alongside the Embarrassment and the Mortal Micronotz, they became a key part of Lawrence’s alternative music scene. Their debut release was a flexi disc included with Talk Talk magazine in 1981, followed by a self-released four-track EP, Words Move. They also placed five songs on the split cassette Fresh Sounds From Middle America (vol 1) from Fresh Sounds Records, sharing the tape with the Embarrassment, the Yard Apes, and the Mortal Micronotz.

The band moved to Chicago in 1982. Colin Camerer signed them to his Fever Records label, and their first album, Action Reaction, arrived in 1984. A second LP, Swimming with Sharks, followed in 1986 on Enigma Records’ Restless Records imprint. The group earned notable attention from Nebraska’s Capitol Punishment fanzine.

After Get Smart!

Lisa Wertman spent about a year performing with Bob Lara as The Lisa and Bob Show before co-founding Dolly Varden. Her later projects included the Nora O'Connor Band, the Honeybees, and Jeanie B and the Jelly Beans; she now plays in Damaged Gods, a Gang of Four tribute act. Marcus Koch returned to Lawrence and now plays with the country band Cryin' Out Loud.

Bob Lara has been active in numerous local Chicago bands and has taken part in several reunions of his former group Reaction. Ric Menck later founded Velvet Crush. Jay Sebastian went on to create the duo Twang Bang.

Did You Know?

• In 1987 Bob Lara was added as a second guitarist; Frank Loose left shortly afterward.
• Ric Menck replaced Frank Loose in 1988 but stayed only a short time.
• The band's first concert was on October 31, 1980.