Rock and Roll the way it's supposed to be! Big and powerful, nasty with full on attitude, great playing, great singing, great songs and most importantly tons of heart and soul! Welcome to David Smith and Bad Karma, ground zero and last house on the left for former guitarist and leader of legendary New York State rock groups Blacksmith and Freaknation. January 1998, a new year and a new chance for David to get out and do it his way.After being the guitarist and main foil to a succession of lead singers throughout his career, David decided to take the bull by the balls and front his own self named group. Having written all his former bands material, music, lyrics, vocal melodies and arrangements, Smith determined he would have more control adding lead vocal and band fronting duties to his already successful lead guitar and dominant playing resume. David's point of view " my guitar sound, my vocal sound, other players can come and go until the right line up takes shape. The overall sound of the group will always remains the same".

The first step was recruiting veteran Capital District players John (Bingo) Brehm on bass and Skip Granato on drums. From April through September of 98, David rehearsed the group relentlessly sharpening his vocal skill, writing songs and letting the Bad Karma vibe flow and settle in with his new band mates. David picked the name Bad Karma, as kind of a tongue and cheek, born under a bad sign, kind of double standard way of life. Always getting in risky situations and trouble, only to find his way out again better than before. John (Bingo) Brehm, a veteran bassist and all around great musician. Along with bass an excellent, guitarist, singer, keyboard player and drummer. Bingo's stage experience goes back to performing in grade school (as a matter of fact Bingo taught David Smith his first songs on guitar, back in junior high school.). Johnny Bingo, an exciting showman and all around great performer really helped David get Bad Karma off the ground.Skip Granato, a good drummer with a steady beat, was a great choice for the drum stool to help Smith launch his latest project. A year later with many gigs under their belts and picking up steam, Johnny Bingo was forced to leave the group due to personal problems, which had David on the search for a new bassist.As fate would have it David crossed paths with John Dodge a killer bass man and vocalist. John, had success with Capital District based groups (Loki, Taz). John was a perfect fit for Bad Karma, with his rock solid playing, vocal abilities and his commitment to music and the band way of life and organization. John is very proficient on the technical side of things electronically, which would provide very valuable for Bad Karma going forward.

With John integrated into the band by Aug. of 1999, the group stepped up their touring and recording sessions throughout 2000. At the end of the year Skip was forced to leave the band due to health issues, along with just plain being tired of the rock and roll lifestyle with travel and all that goes along with it. Former Blacksmith drummer George Fortune was brought into the fold immediately, having recently returned from California and a long stint with the rock group ITIS. ITIS toured throughout the US and Europe and enjoyed the rock life along the way. Upon his return to the Capital District, George looked up his former Blacksmith band mate David Smith. With luck, just as Skip was leaving George jumped in and assumed the drumming position with in the band. David now had the lineup of dedicated musicians, all in place, all on the same page with the same goals and expectations.

Gigs increased, pay rates increased, recording sessions were booked and the band played on. In 2001 Bad Karma performed every week of the year and became a much tighter unit, playing throughout the Northeast region in a wide variety of clubs, concert halls, radio station parties, private functions, bike events, blues fests and anywhere people would listen as they spread the message of real rock and roll. Having aligned themselves with the biker community (all band members being bike enthusiasts, bike owners and are motorcycle people).David Smith and Bad Karma played many of the East coasts premier bike events. In 2002 Bad Karma performed at the Daytona Beach, Florida bike week festival, playing hard for ten days straight. Laconia Bike Week, AM/JAM, Harley Rendezvous, Americade along with private parties for The Wild Pigs, The Custom Motorcycle Association and The Hells Angels, have kept the Bad Karma boys busy, busy.

In early 2002 the group release their first full length CD "AMERICAN STANDARD" on their own Blacksmith record label, featuring tracks such as Vibe, Open Angel Eyes, What I Say, Like a Man and Brother, Brother among many others. Recently David and John, both became endorsees for the legendary Dean guitar company, now playing various models live on stage.In the last year gigs and promotions have been coming mach five, opening concerts for Blue Oyster Cult, Thin Lizzy and gigs with former Guns and Roses guitarist Slash, are among some of the highlights, along with touring through Florida and New Hampshire. Plans are in the works for the next CD, Bad Karma plan to moving up one step at a time.

The band's sound is full, heavy commercial rock with a nice edge. Rock with a blues reference along with a modern and relevant sensibility and approach. David Smith and Bad Karma don't like boundaries or limitations. If they feel like being heavy and loud, they do it! If they feel bluesy and earthy, they do it! If they're in an acoustic mood, they do it! Anything goes, and in the scope of their live presentation, it works well and fits like a glove.Moving forward, making music, copping a groove and riding a vibe, let's not kid anyone, dedicating ones life to musicand performing is not an easy, or even smart career path, art is music and music is life, and as long as the vibe is strong and every once and awhile you capture lightning in a bottle, on stage or in the studio on some nights, it all seems worth it. David Smith and Bad Karma continue forward with heart, soul and attitude. More music, fun and rock and roll, the adventure. To be continued……Cheers!