Smut is the side project of Alejandra Campos. She played drums in Testokra, and now
plays bass in Wastelands. Smut is a great example of a musician stepping out of their comfort
zone and making some interesting music. She has two releases out right now on bandcamp,
Conveniently Broken and Matter That Soils or Blackens. They each show a different aspect of
music. While Conveniently Broken has slow and sad songs, Matter That Soils or Blackens is
angry and abrasive. It definitely gives a Jay Reatard meets Orchid vibe. I sat down with Ale and
talked about music, vinyl, and Halloween.
Me: How did smut come to be?
Ale: I used to play drums in a band called Testokra; we were influenced by a lot of riot grrrl
bands. I had written a lot of music that we never put out and around the summer of 2013 I
recorded a bunch of these songs in my parents’ living room on my own. It was originally going
to be me screaming on guitar with a bass drum. But it was more annoying for me to play guitar,
bass drum, and sing than it was difficult. I played a couple of shows with that setup for a while
and it was just a hassle more than anything. It felt really repetitive honestly
Me: What were some of the influences for Matter That Soils or Blackens?
Ale: At the time I was listening to a lot of Ty Segall, Slut River, and Neon Blood. At the time I
wanted to something that felt stripped down and cathartic, not to say I have a lot of anger in me
but things at the time were really pissing me off.
Me: If you could pick 5 bands to play a show with what would they be?
Ale: Black Tambourine, Vivian Girls, Jay Reatard, Ty Segall, and Babes in Toyland.
Me: You played at Swampspace over the summer, and your set completely blew me away.
Are the songs on your next release going to sound like that of are they going to be like
Conveniently Broken?
Ale: I’m not sure, there are moments when I want to play the angry stuff but I also want to keep
my voice. I don’t want to sound like an old chain smoking woman while I’m still young. And
I’m feeling the softer songs a lot more recently; to me the sadder songs are more relatable than
the angry songs. Like a fast angry hardcore song is great you feel just as angry as the person
screaming the words, but it passes pretty fast. On the other had a sad songs I feel, are a lot more
comforting. It’s like growing up in away.
Me: Would you put out something on vinyl?
Ale: If I had the money yeah totally! I love vinyl; half my pay check goes to vinyl.
Me: Would you guys do a full LP or would you do the slightly annoying thing and put it on
a 7 inch or even worse yet a 10 inch.
Ale: With me it’s full LP or nothing. I’m not a fan 7″ and 10″s they are just bothersome to store.
Me: With Halloween having recently passed do you have any scary stories from tour or life
in general?
Ale: No, not really. I’ve haven’t had any scary Halloween stories. The worse that’s happened to
me was when I was 8 my family took me to a haunted house, and a guy dressed as a bloody
doctor chased me until I fell and scraped my knee.
Me: Black Flag or Black Sabbath?
Ale: 5 years ago I would’ve said Black Flag, but now Sabbath. They created a genre on their
own, and they basically play Blues riffs just slowed down. And I love Blues I could honestly
listen to blues for hours at a time.
Me: Alright last thing before we go, any exclusive stuff or anything we should look out for?
Ale: Yeah Testokra is plying 305 Fest this year, I have a show as smut on November 20 at The
Granary, and I’m going to put out a tape with Dead Tank Records. It’s going to be 8 songs some
from Conveniently Broken and some new ones; it should be done early next year.
-Article written by Simon Rafet