Bradford "Woody" Smith
Definitely the most laid-back member in the band, San Gabriel Valley boy "Woody" is like a throwback to all the jazz greats. A true music aficionado, he can play it all. With music in his blood he often speaks in euphemisms and abbreviates. For example: "VC" equals “Very Cool” and everyone to him is a "cat," as in "I love playing with these cats."
And the cats love playing with him, too. Like Leon, Woody claims to be an originator in his own right, coining the phrase "That's hot."
The term rock steady comes up over and over again when referring to Woody. His bass playing is phenomenally dependable and has more groove than a train track. Jivin' Johnson will be the first to admit, " With Woody and Too Hip clicking together they'll make any band sound great." Everyone gets bumps when this bass man thumps.
Woody is less analytical: "Hey look man, I just find the pocket and play. Dig?"
We dig, Woody.
Woody's idea was to name the band What the Funk?
"I'm on a funk thing. What can I say?"
But his anecdotal accounts are no riff. Woody is the real deal. And the Disco Kings are tribute band royalty in no small part to the rhythmically vibrating FUNK he so unabashedly delivers. Woody's approach is simple and he makes it look easy. " Hey look man we got wigs and gigs. I show up and play. NBD. No big deal."
All hail to the real rubber band man.
Leapin' Leon Thunder
Maurice Jivin' Johnson
Torbjorn "T-Bone" Andersson
Steve "Too Hip" Giba