Artist description I'm one dude, in one studio... just jammin'.

Music Style Alternative, Progressive, Rock, Funk, Blues, Grunge, Metal, Techno, Rapcore

Musical Influences Hendrix, Live, Everclear, Metallica, Third Eye Blind, Rage Against the Machine, Living Colour, Sublime, NIN, The Reverend Al Greene, Tony Bennett, Dean Martin, Tiny-Tim, and the freaks who did the theme for Teletubbies

Similar Artists Lenny Kravitz, Living Colour, Rage Against the Machine, Live, Everclear, BB King, Sublime, Blues Traveler, SRV, Korn, NIN, Creed, Stone Temple Pilots, Soundgarden -- I dunno... you tell me.

Artist History I'm an independent (unsigned) artist. My name is Teddie Tapawan of the band, or rather, "one-man-project" called "Smart Apple". "Smart Apple" is the pseudo-name that I use to make my music more marketable. The name's origin comes from the fact that I have kids and I don't like to curse around them, so if the kids are around and I feel like calling my sister-in-law a smart ass, I just call her a "smart apple". Ground-breaking artist name? No. Interesting? Sure! I've lived in the Washington, DC Metro Area all my life, although since the conception of "Smart Apple", I've been living in Springfield, VA with my beautiful wife and my two cool kids, all of whom support me and my music - 110%. My style or genre of music is Alternative Rock, although there is an intense blend of Funk, Blues, Grunge, Metal, Techno, and Rapcore mixed within. I'm not necessarily trying to make "something for everyone", it's mostly because I just really dig all types of music and I've always enjoyed anything that got my groove-on. An open mind has made my taste in music as broad as the eye can see. A review written by Chris "Big Daddy" Hunter (Operations Manager Radio.BeOnAir.com Internet Radio Clevelend/Cincinnati/Chicago): "As Operations Manager for four Internet Radio Station (Radio.BeOnAir.com Internet Radio - Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Chicago) I encourage new and/or unsigned artists to send me their stuff and, if it fits our formats (Alternative, Country, Hip Hop, or Classic Rock) we'll play it! Smart Apple sent me his stuff and the response from our listeners was phenominal!!! People all over the world (yes ... the WORLD!) continually ask us to play his music. It's well put together ... it rocks ... and the artist is just one fine dude!!! I have his "Adventures of One" CD in heavy rotation with no plans to take it out!!! I also received cuts from Smart Apple's soon-to-be-released CD "Valley of the Dogz" which is also getting lots of play. It's hard to believe all this great music is coming from just one man!!! Smart Apple is a hit ... most people just don't know it ... YET!!!" I'm currently working on my latest project, a Full-Release CD entitled "Conformity" which should be available by 4th quarter, 2001. I've learned a lot from the last three CD's I've put together ("The Adventures of One...", "Project 0110 X-Spirit-Mental", "Valley of the DogZ"). "Conformity" will definitely be my best work yet... at least that's the kind of effort I'm putting behind this project. I'm taking everything that I've learned up to this point and focusing it like a red-hot laser beam. I'm also currently implementing my latest Smart Apple promotional plan for 2001, including distribution of thousands of promotional CD's, national radio airplay, music videos, etc. My mission is to get my music out to as many folks who are willing to listen. I hope you enjoy my music. ~ Teddie Tapawan (Smart Apple)

Group Members Teddie Tapawan

Instruments Gibson SG electric guitar, Fender 12-string and 6-string acoustic guitars, Fender Squire bass guitar (P-Bass Special Model), Line-6 POD guitar direct box, Line-6 BassPod, Morley "Bad Horsie" wha pedal, Roland drums, Shure SM-58 and KSM-27 mics

Albums The Adventures of One..., Project 0110 X-Spirit-Mental (CD Maxi-Single), Valley of the DogZ, Including the Kitchen Sink, Conformity (not yet available)

Press Reviews REVIEW: "As Operations Manager for four Internet Radio Station (Radio.BeOnAir.com) I encourage new and/or unsigned artists to send me their stuff and, if it fits our formats (Alternative, Country, Hip Hop, or Classic Rock) we'll play it! Smart Apple sent me his stuff and the response from our listeners was phenominal!!! People all over the world (yes ... the WORLD!) continually ask us to play his music. It's well put together ... it rocks ... and the artist is just one fine dude!!! I have his "Adventures of One" CD in heavy rotation with no plans to take it out!!! I also received cuts from Smart Apple's soon-to-be-released CD "Valley of the Dogz" which is also getting lots of play. It's hard to believe all this great music is coming from just one man!!! Smart Apple is a hit ... most people just don't know it ... YET!!!" - 11/14/2000 reviewed by Chris "Big Daddy" Hunter (Operations Manager of Radio.BeOnAir.com Internet Radio Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Chicago) ========================================================= REVIEW: "Normally I raise an eyebrow when I see a one man band. It makes me think, what's with this guy? Can't he get along with a full band? Is this some ego trip? Well I had to get to the bottom of this so I called Ted up. Ted is a fantastic guy. His dedication to his music is surpassed only by his dedication to getting other musicians out there. His site, www.smartapplerocks.com has now opened up an online radio station to help get others exposed online. I spoke to him a bit about the cd. He is a walking advertisement for Line 6's POD. From what I hear on this cd, I can see why for sure. Time to try and get me one for a review :D. He recorded most of this album himself, with the exception of Doin' Nothin. Good show Ted. On to the review: 1: I Drank Alot Today. Ahh, I have NEVER done that. No, not me. heh. The first thing I noticed was the guitar and how reggae/ska like it was. I wasn't prepared for this at all. I would have loved some horns on this one. The vocal work was some of the best I have heard on an indie cd. It wasn't raw at all and I was quite impressed. The bassline was constantly moving and the song is overall just alot of fun. 2: Procrastination. The guitar here starts out pretty damn spooky. That pod is worth every penny so far. The solo really stood out here. It sounded out of place at first but in such a way it sounded perfect and suited to Ted. I like it and it it is a fantastic show of his talent. The song ends rather abruptly though. 3: Valley of the DogZ. The start of this song kinda turned me off. What the heck is that scratching? Immediatly after that though, it got GOOD. The beat / rhythm of the song is quite complex with some well written lyrics. Ahh, songwriting, a talent I had thought all but lost and Ted has it in spades. The solo here is one of the most accurate I have heard since the 'hair' bands of the mid-80's to early-90's and David Niel Cline. Again, the ending too abrupt. I need closure Teddie! 4: Breath Like Water. The ocean sample at the beginning was pretty rough quality. Thankfully, it is quickly replaced by a great flanged guitar sound, one with no excessive noise, something tough with a flanger. The vocals are perhaps a little .. eh.. enthusiastic? I can't put my finger on it. They sounded really pretty good but, I dunno. The drums and bass talk well together. Almost like it is one person playing both heh The song moves nicely with many distinct sections that mesh very well. 5: Doin' Nothin'. This is the same guy? No way. After getting off the phone, I had an explanation for this: 'Joe, the song Doin' Nothin' was a collaborative effort between my good friends, Chicago Duo, Frank & Bob a.k.a. 'The Mac Brothers', 'Harpie' of the Karl Fox Band, John Kirincic, and myself.' Ah yes, that would explain it. This song goes further to show Ted's amazing grasp on not just his music, but on many different forms of music. Well done. This is my new theme song! Harmonica! YAY! Great combined guitar / bass solo. Harkens back to bands like Iron Maiden. Though not the same style of music, it to shows amazing talent and the ability to work together. Wow. 6: Saratoga (instrumental). The beginning is most unusual. It mixes many unlike sounds into something wonderful. Damn Teddie and his talent. This song get's good and heavy, with an great thick guitar sound and some beautiful harmonics. Ted, you have to give me more on this song. PLEASE? 7: Faded. This song has some Alice In Chains influence with the slow moving haunted guitar sound. The vocals could be brought more forward though. There is a great build up to chorus and yet another exacting solo. Man, Ted... do you do anything other than music? Wow. All in all, an amazing cd. Teddie has more talent and range than many record companies put together. He shows an understanding of many styles of music on this cd. His versatility is nothing short of amazing. The fact that he played every instrument on this cd gives one reason to be both in awe and jealous at the same time. Wow. I don't wanna rate this cd. Really I don't. It is simply amazing and I should have to say anything else. Go to www.smartapplerocks.com and buy the cd. Now." - 7/14/2001 reviewed by Joe McGuire (owner of tinfoil.music) ========================================================= REVIEW: "Smart Apple is based out of the Washington, D.C. metro area - specifically in the suburban area of Springfield, VA - but technically any of the DC area. Smart Apple sounds like the name of an entire band. When you listen to the album - it sounds like a regular rock band with all of the parts. Not until I read the bio did I realize that this is a one-man project. Teddie Tapawan has created a fantastic rock sound that takes a genre and adds a new feel to it. I would mostly call it alternative rock, but you can easily pick up some blues and funk influences. This CD is professionally mastered with a very tight, clean sound. The vocals are impressive - Tapawan has a distinctive and appealing voice. He has definitely created a sound that you can cruise to or just plain rock out to. The songs go from a light ballad to a hard rock wail in seconds - all with a smooth transition. Any listener should easily notice the musicality of this album. There is enough diversity to keep me interested in the next song (or verse) and yet enough consistency to always stay true to what he has created. The first three songs on Smart Apple's first demo, "The Adventures of One", are good mid to heavy rock. They include blistering solos and techniques that make for a great sound. Song four, "A Darker Shade of Blue", is the first song to really show another side of Smart Apple. This song is definitely blues all the way - but Tapawan's musical talents allow for him to make such a venture. It still fits with the CD, it is like a side road off of the freeway that gives you a different glimpse of the countryside even though you haven't left town. This song is slower and mellower than the first three. The brilliant guitar work blended with the easy vocals makes everyone slow down a little and breathe a little deeper. This song incorporates the kind of Blues you get when you visit New Orleans and the Mississippi Delta area with solos that would scorch the earth around anyone hearing them. Smart Apple's fifth song on this demo, "Morning Light" kicks back in the hard rock and takes off fifty beats faster than "Darker Side" ended. This rock takes me back to the early nineties but is original enough to work in the early 00's. I felt influences of Rush during an orchestral sounding transition, but more of the hard rockers of the eighties and nineties for the duration of the short two-minute song. The album ends with an acoustic song that really closes out a strong CD by closing the "musical circle." I feel like this CD has been an adventure through the different sides of Rock & Roll, with Tapawan's musical presence being the bond that holds it all together. I don't know about the viability of Smart Apple doing live shows with one member performing all of the music, but I would like to see it. Until then, we will settle to listening to the creative work or Teddie Tapawan on CD." - 5/2001 reviewed by M.G Muser (review editor of www.toddbingham.com) ========================================================= REVIEW: "ARTIST: SMART APPLE, SONG: BREATH LIKE WATER, GENRE: ALTERNATIVE / MODERN HARD ROCK, SIMILAR: TOOL, GOD LIVES UNDERWATER, Ok... What more can I say? I'm now a fan. Ted Tapawan is the man. Nuff said. The track, "Breath like Water," is set in an unconventional time meter, has guitar and vocal dissonances, but still has enough modern appeal to make this catchy as hell. The vocals are very reminiscent of Zakk Wyldes, which is definately not a bad thing. The guitar tone is very bright and sonic, leaving me wondering what equipment he uses. The drums are dead-on through the whole track as well. The bass is simple yet effective. Anyone who appreciates well written, catchy, and unique music of any genre will love Smart Apple. Check it out!!! Charisma: 8.00, Technical Skill: 9.50, Structure: 10.00, Interest: 10.00, Lyrics: 6.50, Performance: 9.00, Arrangement: 9.00, Recording Quality: 9.50, Long Term Appeal: 8.50, OVERALL: 8.80" - 7/2001 reviewed by Matthew Deis (Reviewer for The Gods of Music) ========================================================= REVIEW: "Check out this description of Smart Apple's musical genre in his press kit: 'alternative rock mixed heavily with funk, blues, grunge, metal, techno and rapcore.' So what does that mean? It means that Teddie Tapawan, who is Smart Apple, is an extremely talented artist with a lot to offer many different audiences. Smart Apple's music has received heavy airplay on hard rock stations across the country and his variety of music styles is breathtaking. Smart Apple can go from a funky, soul-filled song to a hard rock ballad, to a light-hearted pop-sounding song. Tapawan has released two CDs in the last year: The Adventures of One (June 2000) and Valley of the Dogz (May 2001). Type of music: hard, alternative rock mixed with everything from blues to even harder rock, Hometown: Washington, DC, Notable: Tapawan will be featured in a book 'The Long Road (the best music you've never heard)' to be released in 2001 by Quiet Storm Publishing. Highs: The first track on Smart Apple's 'The Adventures of One' is a wonderful mix of Dave Matthews-type music with some hard rock sprinkled throughout. 'A Darker Shade of Blue' is an incredible blues track on the first CD that leaves you believing that Tapawan is a celebrated blues star. The remaining tracks on Smart Apple's first CD include a hard pounding rock song, a beautiful ballad and a story-telling, folk-centered song. 'Valley of the Dogz' begins with a humorous track entitled 'I Drank A Lot Today.' It spices up the CD with a little bit of a Jimmy Buffett/Barenaked Ladies feel. Smart Apple successfully transitions between this light-hearted song to a dark, grunge track ('Procrastination') to a fun almost-country track (Doin' Nothin'). Not only that, but Tapawan also throws in a hard-pounding metal instrumental, as well as a Red Hot Chili Peppers-inspired rap/rock song with two excellent guitar solos. Lows: As Smart Apple continues, I think the musical style may be narrowed down to one or two musical styles, but until then, his versatility is amazing. Fans: Fans of Dave Matthews, Zepplin, Metallica, Chili Peppers and any number of blues/soul artists should enjoy Smart Apple. Cheers to Teddie Tapawan for not being afraid to explore several musical styles and excelling at all of them. This one-man band possesses as much talent as one single person can and shows it in his amazing array of musical styles." - 9/4/2001 reviewed by Maureen Keller (Reviewer for Indie-Music.com) ========================================================= REVIEW: "This 6-song CD ("The Adventures of One...") has Smart Apple punching out heavy riff-monster grooves; an industrometal conglom that manages funk nods to the pillar of grunge too. Given that, this band definitely has the IT factor down. As in, they've got it, that is. Smart Apple's sound takes it's influences careening down a decidedly modern, binary path into a dark future and draws you in." - 7/5/2001 reviewed by Bryan Baker (GAJOOB.com Review Editor) ========================================================= REVIEW: "We actually got two CD's from Smart Apple, what follows is a review of Valley of the DogZ. Due to the diverse style of this group I've broken down the review by the tracks. 1) I Drank Alot Today - A nice Ska/Reggae number. 2) Procrastination - Takes things a bit heavier with a hard rockin' funk tune. 3) Valley of the DogZ - They enter the RapRock world here. This isn't my thing so I pushed fastforward after the first chorus. 4) Breath Like Water- A killer numetal meets techno number! 5) Doin' Nothin' - This song shows these guys can play just about anything under the sun. This bluesy tune comes complete with a great harmonica track. 6) Saratoga (Instr.) - A great numetal/industrial instrumental. A nice driving riff propels the song through a numetal odyssey. 7) Faded - A nice clean guitar ballad. This group is impossible to pigeonhole. If a musical style exists they don't seem to be afraid to try it. Surprising it doesn't sound as scattered as you might think. Smart Apple pulls it off, making it seem so easy." - 6/2001 reviewed by Ironclast Entertainment Group (antiMusic) ========================================================= REVIEW: "There is nothing I like more than an artist who isn't afraid to experiment with his or her sound. Smart Apple is just that sort of musical experimentation. The lyrics are excellent while the music jumps around from genre to genre. While many would think that this style of diversity lacks direction, it definitely adds a nice variety to the albums. Both albums contain a great collection of intelligent songs. The musicianship is not too bad either. In fact, it gets complex at times. The only other artist that I could compare Smart Apple to would probably be Lenny Kravitz. Like Kravitz, Smart Apple sticks with the rock sound, but moves around very eloquently through the sub-genres. To be completely honest, these two albums gave me far more than I expected from them. I was definitely impressed at the overall musical talent here. This is one band that you should not miss. Smart Apple could definitely give the big guns of rock a run for their money. - Michael Allison - THEGLOBALMUSE.COM Song Pick: Thunder on the Mountain - (Great Lyrics!)" - 6/2001 reviewed by The Global Muse ========================================================= REVIEW: "Smart Apple is the project of one man, or dude as he calls himself, Teddie Tapawan. He played every instrument, produced, wrote and most likely did the artwork, although I can't prove that part. Anyway, there's no doubt this is a very talented dude. He's still in the beginning stages of this project, so I think he's still finding a groove. He's got 7 songs released at this time, and each has a distinct uniqueness to it. There's everything from Blues, Rap, Rock, and Metal weaved creatively throughout these tracks. I'm really impressed with his work, especially considering, it's like, all HIM! His single "Valley Of The Dogz" is a Chili Peppers meets Ice T rockin' track that has a blistering guitar solo. His 6 Song EP "The Adventures of One..." has 6 songs with 6 different genres. "Which Way" is an Alternative/Bluesy type song with some cool vocal efx and nice guitar work... not my fav, but it's one of the more marketable songs. It reminds me a bit of Matchbox 20. "Thunder On The Mountain" is a more Classic Rock tune with deep-rooted emotion. Artistically, probably his best song. "The Dream" is a dark Alternative Metal track, again, nice guitar work here, very tasty hooks and guitar tone. "A Darker Shade of Blue" is exactly what the title says, a traditional dark and moody track... a bit too depressing for me, but Blues fans will appreciate the work. You do see a complete different dimension of this artist on this track. "Morning Light" is a modern rocker with some very catchy hooks, my personal favorite, although it's almost too short! I wanted to hear more of this kind of stuff from Teddie, but he just teased me with this 1:53 of sensible modern Pop Rock. Finally, Teddie shows again another dimension of his work with "All I Live Is You". His voice has a "Dylanesque" tone here in this short and sweet acoustic love song. All in all, I'm not sure where Teddie's going, there's a lot of different stuff in these 7 tracks. He really does reflect the current state of music, there's so many different influences and formats out there, and most people do listen to a variety of styles of music (except for me). He keeps you guessing, and I guess that's good right? Anyway, to sum this up, Smart Apple is a smart project for smart listeners. So head over to MP3.com where Teddie shares his music with the world, and send him an email and say, 'Hey, THANKS Dude!'" - 9/1/2000 reviewed by Torch (webmaster of www.rockhardplace.com) ========================================================= REVIEW: "Virginia-based combo leaps from suburban Reggae to Rapcore without blinking an eye. That's not to say that the tunes are disjointed or contradictory. Quite the contrary, white boy funk is the common thread that connects all the tunes." - 12/4/2000 reviewed by D. Russell (Staff Writer/Listen.com) ========================================================= REVIEW: "Smart Apple is amazing! Well, it might sound just like a great band which plays music like Stone Temple Pilots or Faith No More. But Smart Apple is just one guy which I refused to believe. The material is great musically and the lyrics are just adding to Teddie Tapawan's talented music. The description says that it's just one man jamming in a studio, well if this is "just" jamming I would love to hear what this guy really can do. I suppose he is one of those guys who owns a studio and works as a mixer to other bands. You know they are always just amazing with instruments. This kind of music is very popular in the alternative genre, kind of "hard" rock, which is played by Live, Creed, etc. I think that Smart Apple almost exceeds to the same level adding the knowledge that it's just a one man band!" - 12/2000 reviewed by The Below Magazine ========================================================= REVIEW: "I sampled a few tracks from this talented and likeable artist today. It was absolutely mind-boggling trying to fathom how so many seemingly foreign musical styles - Alternative, Rock, Progressive, Funk, Blues, Grunge, Metal, Techno and Rapcore- could be blended into a concrete and cohesive combination of sounds. Influenced by such musicians as Hendrix, Metallica, Tiny Tim and Everclear, this artist is blasting from the sonic barrier on such stations as Orangegrove, At the Top, Powder Room and Rock Radio. Based in Springfield, VA, his easy-going attitude is obvious in his music. I struggle for words to describe this music. It is smooth smoking Blues, innovative well-orchestrated rhythms combined with power-packed guitar riffs and a hard-driving rock beat. This is feel-good music- fresh, riveting, inspirational, sensational, mellow and harmonious. There is no comparison here to anything else anywhere else because Smart Apple has developed a unique style all his own. Versatility is the key to his success and his music guarantees he will be bounding up the ladder to success." - 2/27/2001 reviewed by NightShade Promotions ========================================================= REVIEW: "Smart Apple is the "one-man-project" of one Teddie Tapawan, a hard-rockin' family man outta the DC Metro Area (recently relocated to suburban Springfield, poor guy). I was surprised to learn that Tapawan performed all instruments on this tape; his pseudo-ensemble is tighter and more swinging than many real bands. The music yer basic alt-heavy thang, kinda like Creed and a smattering of Alice In Chains, with a side-trip into straight-ahead blues (Teddie does a credible job on "A Darker Shade of Blue," showing off a smooth growl). A good job all around, worth hearing if you like ze rock." - 11/14/2000 reviewed by Jim Santo (DemoUniverse.com) ========================================================= REVIEW: "Smart Apple (multi instrumentalist Teddie Tapawan) shows that one guy can make some seriously kicking tunes all by himself. Smart Apple's fusion of hard hitting rock with solid vocals, rap, and the occasional funk riff is backed up by solid production and imaginative drum work." - 10/3/2000 reviewed by sonique.com ========================================================= REVIEW: "Excellent work!! "Smart Apple" grabs an audience from the first note!! The instrumentation speaks for itself but the vocals are what really brings this project to life!! The material has an "edge" but is very easily mainstream!! Great instrumentation!! Material is well written both musically as well as lyrically!! This guy has more than enough of what it takes!!! Amazing production for an independant artist!!" - 11/6/2000 reviewed by International Marketing Group (IMG/Canada) ========================================================= REVIEW: "Amazing - Really quite impressive material. For a one man album Teddie offers a full sounding, hard rocking, amazing peice of work! We wish him all the best!" - 3/5/2001 reviewed by Derek Carson / Imagine Records ========================================================= REVIEW: "Never have I heard an artist with so many influences so articulately displayed ... there is no way I could only add one song from this amazing repetoire, so I added two ... I Drank Alot Today and Doin Nothin ... two completely different syles of music that are at least compatable with the rest of the material on Pro Critic Radio ... If nothing else, Smart Apple deserves an award for engineering these songs ... he is a master of the technology he uses, from Line 6 gear to Roland Drums ... oh yeah, Smart Apple is a 'one man band.' ... Except on Doin Nothin which is a collaborative effort ... listening to Smart Apple is like listening to disjointed geniuses like Syd Barrett, Peter Green, Tom Waits, Evis Costello and Prince all rolled into one big mess of a schizophrenic personality disorder ... oh yeah we can add David Lynch's movies to the mix as well as MC Escher's upside down and inside out vision of the world ... as sharp and contemporary as Beck or Ben Harper or Moby." - 3/3/2001 reviewed by Chris "K" Kresge of Pro Critic Radio ========================================================= REVIEW: "Teddie Tapawan IS Smart Apple, he does it all, including the production which has improved dramatically since the first time I heard this project. Smart Apple is not just one genre, there's Rap, Metal, Rock, Alternative, acoustic and more. I HATE to use this cliche, but there really is "something for everyone". I'd really like to see Teddie focus onto one genre a bit better, he seems to have a flare for Rock, and has an amazing ability to meld almost any genre into Rock which ain't easy to do without pissing traditionalists off! Well, I consider myself a traditionalist for the most part, but I can't deny the talent this guy has... in the right hands he could be dangerous. Take your own listen to Smart Apple at MP3. http://mp3.com/smartapple" - 8/26/2001 reviewed and follow-up review by Torch (webmaster of www.rockhardplace.com) ========================================================= REVIEW: "Now I normally would not have given this one man group a second look if not for the title of his epic EP "Valley of The Dogz." Figuring this was either another P-Funk splinter group or a Snoop Dogg thing I pushed play before investigating! Teddie Tapawan, a.k.a. Smart Apple, has made an attempt to hit a few different genres (is this guy actually Prince?) anchored by a blustery rock guitar. He trips into rap on the title cut, heavy metal on another, and also explores folk, pop, and soul. No matter what you like musically Princ--I mean SMART APPLE--is the cookie for you. Check it out at http://mp3.com/smartapple and I'll see ya in the Valley of The Dogz." - 8/13/2001 reviewed by Sonny D. (owner/operator of TALION.COM) ========================================================= REVIEW: "Smart Apple is a one man band that defies the usual solo artist formula and plays some hard edged rock and roll. Even though the six songs on this disc are well crafted and composed, they take an unexpected turn for the better as they crank up to 11 without remorse ("The Dream"). Crunchy with a post grunge feel, Smart Apple is bound to surprise you with some of the hardest grooves heard from a one man outfit." - 3/28/2001 reviewed by 3:16 Productions (The Bottom Line in Unsigned Bands) ========================================================= REVIEW: "Track 1- I Drank Alot Today - This tune is certainly a different style for Smart Apple with Reggae sneaking into the mix. The rhythm guitar has a strong presence blended with a tight bassline. The funk is in high gear as Teddie Tapawan sings of drinking alot to get away from that woman. If nothing else one can certainly get up and groove with ease to this gem. ( ! ! ! ! ! ) Track 2- Procrastination - The guitar riff that leads off this song has echoes of the great guitar work from the master, Jimi Hendrix. The chords used are so unconventional that one gets hooked in from the first lick. The lyrics are very well written and fit well with the complex structure. Heavy on the Rock but still having a slight Pop appeal. ( ! ! ! ! ! ) Track 3- Valley of the DogZ - The title track from the album is a kick ass piece, with the guitar, bass and drum sound in an Aerosmith vein. The rap style vocals are very modernistic, with what many call white rap, ala Eminem. Tight and very well performed Rock-Rap is yet another dimension displayed by this amazing artist, much to the pleasure of the lstener. ( ! ! ! ! ! ) Track 4- Breath Like Water - The heavy metal side of the artist shines bright on this gem. With a heavily distorted guitar and a strong bass drive at the root of the melody this tune rocks hard. The vocals are clear and powerful with an Aerosmith-esque quality. ( ! ! ! ! ) Track 5- Doin' Nothin' - This is a great tune with some fantastic acoustic guitar work, an energetic beat and fabulous lyrics. The harmonica accents add depth while the acoustic guitar lead riifs add vibrant color. This tune has a Uncle Kracker meets Lenny Kravitz quality. This song has strong Blues-Rock commercial potential. ( ! ! ! ! ! ) Track 6- Saratoga (Instrumental) - Great lead guitar phrases are taken from the metal repetoire of the artist and put down at the root of this quick tempo piece. This tune is best described as a short instrumental which serves to display the talents of an amazing guitarist. ( ! ! ! ! ) Track 7- Faded - The use of an acoustic guitar with a strong bass guitar presence lends this tune an interesting magnetism. The vocals are in a Guns 'N Roses vein, while the melody has it's own originality with a unique time signature and vibrant instrumental passages. ( ! ! ! ! ! ) On Valley of the DogZ, Smart Apple gives the listener an opportunity to experience the multiple styles of music which have been a creative influence. Teddie Tapawan does all vocals and plays all of the instruments on the album, guitars, bass and drums, with the exception of one song, "Doin' Nothin' ". "Doin' Nothin' ", which has a Blues, Country-Rock quality, features the Mac Brothers. The Mac Brothers are Bob Wagers, guitars, John Kirincic, bass guitar, Frank DePeder, drums and Harpie, harmonica. This song allows the listener a chance to experience Teddie Tapawan doing only vocals, with a full band, instead of the usual one man band format. The song aptly displays that with a band or alone the quality of the music suffers in no way. The tight sound of the music is maintained on all of the songs throughout the entire album. From the Reggae groove on, "I Drank Alot Today", all the way to the other side of the musical spectrum with the Rap-Rock drive of "Valley of the DogZ". With each new album that Smart Apple puts out, one can feel the maturity aterializing in the new compositions. The material selected for each song on Valley of the DogZ explores a different style. This serves to display the multi-dimensional capabilities in the amazing artist who is the genius behind Smart Apple, Teddie Tapawan. Smart Apple comes at a time in music history where it is very hard to get radio stations to play their music because they are swamped with submissions from so many independent labels. Smart Apple has made a wise choice with the selection of various styles of music as their format for Valley of the DogZ, maybe it will be enough to get them noticed in the competitive world of music today. Time will tell, but for now Valley of the DogZ is an excellent selection for one looking for music filled with a spicy variety." - 9/19/2001 reviewed by Larry Belanger (Reviewer for Downeast Records) ========================================================= REVIEW: "Track 1- Which Way? - The element which is clearest when this song kicks off is that this is one amazing artist. The vocals are melodic and powerful, the drum work is tight and has a live quality, the bass guitar has an interesting run going, the rhythm guitar has plentiful power chord presence, but the lead guitar has the most intensity and is the hook in the piece. This song is in a Guns N' Roses vein, with a solid groove happening. ( ! ! ! ! ! ) Track 2- Thunder on the Mountain - This tune opens with sound effects of thunder followed by only a bass guitar playing an infectious riff. The bass guitar continues to be the root of the melody line even as the vocals join the mix. When the rhythm and lead guitar enter the transformation is massive, with the energy level climbing to a pinnacle of hard driving Rock N' Roll. This song has the intensity to keep even a KORN fan tuned into the groove, making it an ultimate tune for the times. ( ! ! ! ! ! ) Track 3- The Dream - This tune displays the techno side of Small Apple from the opening riffs, but the Metal power chords are the strength in the melody. The layered guitar parts are an intricate part of the depth and color of the contagious melody. A bit short at just over two minutes, one tends to forgive the shortness because of the extreme vibrance and infectious melody of the piece. An excellent tune aimed at the Black Sabbath fan who longs for music with strength. ( ! ! ! ! ! ) Track 4- A Darker Shade of Blue - As the title of this tune implies it is a Blues composition. The lead guitar work is really well worked, with some neat accents as well as a captivating solo. The bass guitar is strong throughout and maintains a strong foundation with the tight drum work. The harmonic display between the lead guitar and vocals three-fourths of the way through the song is one of the key hooks and by itself is reason enough to motivate one's examination of the tune. ( ! ! ! ! ! ) Track 5- Morning Light - On this tune all chains are broken as Small Apple cuts loose with some Heavy Metal Rock. The melodic nature of the tune is very unique, with ample lead guitar and very charismatic vocals. The lyrics are well crafted to blend with the complex changes in the melody line. This will certainly be a favorite for those in search for some heavy guitar based Rock with a strong drive. ( ! ! ! ! ! ) Track 6- All I Live Is You - This acoustic gem is expertly performed and has infectious lyrics with a beautiful melody. This tune falls into the same category as Extreme's, "More Than Words", and Guns N' Roses' , "Patience". A Rock ballad sung with great harmony vocals, laced with great guitar presence and a melody line that doesn't quit makes this the song with the greatest commercial potential. D.J.'s pick up the CD and play this song on the air, it's guaranteed to light up the phone lines with requests. ( ! ! ! ! ! ) The first thing that will amaze the listener when they first dive into this album is the fact that all the action is done by one person. There are many bands who try to achieve the tight sound Teddie Tapawan manages with a noticeable ease and flowing grace on all instruments and vocals. The first song from the album, Which Way?, has an energy and melodic strength with Guns N' Roses overtones. The interlocking guitar lines gain momentum around the mesmerizing vocals with much the same effect as the Guns N' Roses classic, Sweet Child o' Mine. Thunder on the Mountain and The Dream feature some expertly presented Heavy Metal guitar work at it's finest. The powerful presentation is colored by Teddie Tapawan's vibrant vocals and equaled only by his expert fills on the drums. The Dream opens with some electronically enhanced rhythm guitar riffs which give the listener a glance at the artist's techno side. Well crafted Rock music at the highest level is what Small Apple aims to give the listener and it is achieved with the aid of todays recording technologies. There is that key element to consider, but recording technologies have to have an idea transformed into sound in order to have something to record. This is where the creator of Small Apple, Teddie Tapawan excells. He plays every instrument with the expertise seldom found in musicians who have studied their instrument for years. He writes lyrics with the fluidity of a modern day poet and expertly weaves them with melodies which are infectious and contagious. Teddie Tapawan has everything going for him, expert songwriting, melodic vocals, expertise on all instruments and material that excells in charisma. Though the concept of a one man band is not a new concept, Small Apple certainly displays the one man band as never before. This album certainly gets the listener entangled into the sonic web containing the adventures of one... , by incorporating a vibrant presentation from a Rock virtuoso at work." - 9/19/2001 reviewed by Larry Belanger (Reviewer for Downeast Records) ========================================================= REVIEW: "Smart Apple - The Adventures of One...: A one man band, ah yes, I can understand that. Working with other musicians is like having too many marriages and Teddie Tapawan doesn't need that because he's already happy with his wifey-poo and kids (he got the name Smart Apple because that's what he says instead of "smart ass" in front of his children.) Sometimes it's just less stressful to do it all on your own (maybe I, too, will have to do it all on my own.) So anyway, the music? It's hard rock where the edge varies from tune to tune (funk, metal, Tool, blues, acoustic) and the vocals are macho in the vein of Soundgarden. 'Thunder on the Mountain' is hard rock tune about the singer's father abandoning him (with some cool guitar solos.) Fans of metal or hard rock might want to check this stuff out. Visit www.smartapplerocks.com -- Smart Apple - Valley of the Dogz: The style on this disc starts off on a different note than the previous one. The first track, "I Drank Alot Today" (somebody tell him "a lot" is two words) , has that sort of poppy-reggae sound. The next track goes back into that familiar hard rock sound and continues with that vibe to the next two tracks. But then the next track is a bluesy acoustic number about hating your job ('Doin' Nothin'') and includes a harmonica. I think Smart Apple's audience is gonna be people who like hard rock along with some other stuff." - 9/25/2001 reviewed by ThrillRacer Magazine ========================================================= REVIEW: "One-man bands, for the most part, tend to be as entertaining as the man who stomps on an accordion while playing tambourine with one arm and hitting a drum with the other. Those on the next level tend to produce albums that sound so one-sided that the depth factor becomes non-existent. But Springfield, VA's Teddie Tapawan stands out from most one-man bands on the cheesily titled Valley of the Dogz, which comes across like an effort collectively pulled by a group of variously influenced musicians. Swift time changes take leaps and turns throughout the album, keeping things interesting yet rhythmic, whether it's in the album-opening 'I Drank a Lot Yesterday," which starts on a lazy Ska tempo that's half speed but still keeps its momentum before delving into the beefy guitar hooks of "Procrastination." "Doin' Nothin'" opens with a southern dose of harmonica and Midwestern blues arrangements, while the brief "Saratoga" instrumental leans toward prog rock. With such diversity, Tapawan proves himself not just as a musician, but also a songwriter." - 9/28/2001 reviewed by Altar Native E-Zine (Review written by Omar Perez - Editor) ========================================================= REVIEW: "A solo vehicle for multi-instrumentalist Teddie Tapawan, Smart Apple melds elements of funk, blues, grunge, metal and rapcore into a melodic alt-rock sound with considerable commercial appeal. Accomplished and appealing in every aspect, from writing to arranging and production, this solid follow-up to last year's The Adventures Of One... EP proves Smart Apple is no flash in the fruit bowl." - 9/29/2001 reviewed by Jim Santo (DemoUniverse.com) ========================================================= REVIEW: "Smart Apple combines many different styles on this album, including reggae, heavy metal, funk, alternative acoustic, and other stuff that is completely infectious. This is another solid collection with nary a loose end." - 10/10/2001 reviewed by Bryan Baker (GAJOOB.com Review Editor) ========================================================= REVIEW: "From Smart Apple's glossy professional web site to Teddie Tapawan's funk-infused metallic playing style, Smart Apple - Tapawan's solo project - is altogether impressive. Smart Apple constructs a fresh and distinctive sound from familiar old musical ideas, mixing hard rock and metal influences with strains of rap, blues and blue-eyed soul. The title cut rocks harder and funkier than anything Fred Durst ever dreamed of writing while the instrumental "Saratoga" displays Tapawan's considerable musical chops. "Doin' Nothing" is a soulful romp with fine instrumentation and solid vocals while "I Drank Alot Today" blends reggae flavor with hard-driving rock riffery and clever lyrics. Smart Apple reminds me a lot of Doug Pinnick's Poundhound recordings, and much like the multi-talented King's X bassist, Tappewan delivers the goods. Valley Of The Dogz is as good a rock album as you've heard from the major labels this year, created not by committee and market testing but by a single musical visionary with the need to say something." - 10/31/2001 reviewed by Mondo Gordo BBS ========================================================= REVIEW: "Opening track is phenomenal. I love it. I would put it in my CD player any day of the week. It is energizing the particles in the room as I speak... whoosh... there goes one flying past all excited! How many times has a guy to pray to god to make a woman go away? I don't think we will ever know.. one of the mysteries of the universe. The 2nd cut - "Procrastination" - brings a change of direction to this demo. A dark contemplative tone is set by this piece. I find myself wishing that the electrics were turned up a bit more. Just want the vox and leads to be more surrounded, and floating along in a dark wash of sonic support. OK, track 3 has me confused. The demo is now starting to sound like a sampler of musical styles. "Valley of the Dogz", the track, is a limp Bizkit style rock track with cool Carlos Santana sourced guitar voicings. Its a great song, but I am getting confused as to where and what the band is about... Track 4 is about to start. Lets see, does it bring sense to the universe? All right! Now I hear a sonic painting Rob Zombie would be proud of, with a little bit of Korn on the side. I like this a lot, and know a lot of 17 year olds who would go wild for it. I once again wish the effected guitars were up a bit more, as with the distortion. Pump them until they are on the verge of being uncomfortable, and then believe it or not, they'll give a new edginess to the sound. Wow, the opening to "Doin' Nothin'" was the coolest thing. I wish it had stayed through the verse. There is something like that on the British Charts right now! It's awesome. The rhythm that the lyrics are delivered in seems to be a little skewed sometimes here. Its easier to notice and harder to get away with because the vocals are so open due to the orchestration of the song. Wow, the sequence from the beginning just came back again before the second chorus. Once again, I didn't want it to go away. So far I hear tracks 1,2 and 5 going together, or tracks 3,4 and either 2 or 5 - Need to hear the rest to see what s going on here. I think the beginning to "Saratoga" sounds a bit self-glorifying, if you don't mind me saying so. This is in the same way that Mariah Carey produces verbal diarrhea instead of just singing 2 notes. A single long, wah wahed tone or something leading into this song would have done just fine thank you very much! I love the rest of the track though. I would have still loved it had it been even dirtier. Now here is a killer ballad. You've got the Goo Goo Dolls beat. He can only write one type of ballad, John Rzeznik that is, and from this demo, I can imagine the band writing many types of ballads! Just as I was wishing for a drum kit, it arrived. Would love to have heard some strings a la Goo Goo Dolls, or even more to the point - EVE 6. Would loved to have heard the strings introduced instead of the lead guitar lines. Would have made it a real masterpiece. Well, that was a thoroughly enjoyable demo by Smart Apple I have to say. My solitary question would be, Why was track 1 on this? All the other tracks I can imagine together. I would define them as a heavy rock band, with a great gentle touch. The sound spaces of "Procrastination" mixed with the sweetness of "Faded" and the mayhem of "Saratoga", balance nicely against "Valley of the Dogz" and "Breath Like Water". And "Doin' Nothin'" would be just plain old hip if that opening ran through all the verses instead of as an intro only. This CD will definitely stay in rotation! " - 12/1/2001 reviewed by Score Music Magazine ========================================================= REVIEW: "SMART APPLE - THE ADVENTURES OF ONE.../VALLEY OF THE DOGZ: Smart Apple is a multi-talented one-man band from the Virginia/Washington DC Metro area. Teddie Tapawan covers all the vocals, guitars, bass and percussion on his CDs. In addition, Tapawan occasionally plays keyboard and is responsible for all his own artwork. Teddie states that he likes all kinds of music and he combines his interests to create his own unique sound. Tapawan describes his music as alternative rock mixed heavily with funk, blues, grudge, metal, techno and rapcore. His compositions have many moods but are a cohesive blend of various genres. Teddie has a wide vocal range as demonstrated on his well-produced CDs. Tapawan's songs include solid guitar solos incorporated into funky rhythms. His deep lyrics are supported by full sound. Kweevak received two disks from Smart Apple, entitled Valley of The Dogz and The Adventures of One. Both are jammed packed with first-class diversified songs. Recommended tracks on Dogz include 2 and 4 . 'Procrastination' opens with a weird guitar sound that grabs and carries you to the hard rocking hook and then returns back to the catchy, unusual grooves. 'Breath Like Water' is a prime example of Teddie's ability to successfully blend different genres into one song. Suggested tracks on One are 5 and 6. 'Morning Light' has driving percussion, bullet shot vocals and high-quality guitar work. 'All I Live Is You' is a great ballad with solid instrumentation. Smart Apple is a smart choice for any music collection." - 3/10/2002 reviewed by Laura Turner Lynch (Review Editor for Kweevak.com)

Location Springfield, VA - USA

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).