Bowling Green, Ky.,'s Sleeper Agent Heads For Coachella Music and Arts Festival In 2012

It was announced to today that the Bowling Green, Ky., indie based rock band, "Sleeper Agent" will be playing at the Coachella music and arts festival in Indio, California, April 15 & 22.  Congrats guys and gal!

My Thoughts On Sleeper Agent's Success In 2011 and The Beginning Of 2012

Regarding my son, Tony Smith and Sleeper Agent's success for 2011 and 2012 in light of the Rolling Stones magazine and the other distinctions that the band has received this past year and in the new year already-Rolling Stone's "No. 14-Best 50 songs of 2011, "Get It Daddy," "No. 2-Rookies Of 2011" and "No. 2-Best New Artists of 2011"--"For me, it's like reverting back to my high school and college days digging the music scene all over again. However, it's a much younger generation of new rock & roll and it's an intriguing feeling seeing it from the inside being a father of someone connected to the music industry. I suppose it feels like a parent standing on the sidelines watching his son playing on the field during a football game. I'm constantly rooting for Tony and his team. And I especially love it when he and his team are winning and I sincerely feel like they are winning at the game of rock & roll at the moment."-Galen A. Smith Sr.

Indie Rock Sensations, Cage The Elephant and Sleeper Agent Skyrockets To The Top In 2011

By Galen A. Smith Sr.

BOWLING GREEN,  Ky. _ 2011 was an incredible, exciting year for both Bowling Green based indie rock bands, Cage The Elephant and Sleeper Agent as they zoomed into the stratosphere making headlines across the nation playing shows while on tour all across North America.  Cage The Elephant made several trips to Europe as Sleeper Agent made their way up to the "Great White North," Canada, for the first time requiring some of the band members to get passports for the first time in their young lives.  Cage The Elephant even traveled to Melbourne and Sydney, Australia for two shows in November.
     Both Cage The Elephant and Sleeper Agent were published several times in such publications as Rolling Stone, Spin, Guitar World and Alternative Press magazines and other magazines and newspapers throughout the year with nicely written positive articles and full color photos.  They were also written about in hundreds of Internet blogs and their songs were heard on hundreds of radio stations across the country as well as Alternative Nation Sirus satellite radio.  Both bands had albums to come out in 2011 with Cage The Elephant's second release "Thank You, Happy Birthday" on Jan. 11 and Sleeper Agent's debut album "Celabrasion" on Sept. 27.  Cage The Elephant's "Thank You, Happy Birthday," ranked No. 15 on Rolling Stone's 50 Best Albums of 2011 and Sleeper Agent's first single, "Get It Daddy," ranked No. 14 on Rolling Stone's 50 Best Songs of 2011.  Sleeper Agent also ranked No. 2 on Rolling Stone's Rookies of 2011.  On its first day of release, "Thank You, Happy Birthday," charted as No. 1 on the top 10 albums downloads on iTunes.  The album sold 39,000 copies during its first week in the U.S. debuting at Number 2 on the Billboard 200.
    The two Bowling Green bands also released several videos in 2011 with Cage The Elephant's "Shake Me Down"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v27TRan1SBI&ob=av2e which was nominated for "Best Rock Video" on MTV, "Around My Head," and "Aberdeen," and Sleeper Agent's "Get It Daddy,"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUF2RDHDtzM&ob=av2e  All four of these 2011 videos has received tons of airplay on cable television and elsewhere.  In December of 2011, Sleeper Agent's next single, "Get Burned" off their album was made into a video and the video was filmed in downtown Bowling Green above Labold & Sons Salvage Co. in an old, dark and dusty apartment above the store and then outside the city limits in the countryside in some woods at night.  And believe it or not, the video was directed by none other than Matt Shultz himself of Cage The Elephant!  This was Matt's debut video directorial effort.  The video is scheduled to be released sometime in January 2012. Sleeper Agent also wrote and recorded a song for Nike sportswear's video series "Always On" featuring Lindsey Harding, a WNBA Atlanta Dreams women's basketball star.  Also, on Sleeper Agent's web-site there is a video series that was recently filmed at the old Tennessee State Prison in Nashville which includes some acoustic sets and interviews where the band mates interview each other.http://theaudioperv.com/2011/12/08/sleeper-agent-debut-new-song-not-never-kick-off-acoustic-sessions-series-from-a-prison/  And finally but not least, Sleeper Agent's hit song, "Get It Daddy," is going to be featured in a new movie due in May of 2012 called, "What To Expect When You're Expecting," starring Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wuIltIHQXY
   Cage The Elephant and Sleeper Agent even toured together on many dates at big and small venues across North America in the mid-west and the west coast throughout 2011.  On New Years Eve of 2011, Cage The Elephant, Sleeper Agent, Chicago's Company of Thieves and Bowling Green's own Morning Teleportation, played before a crowd of 6,000 celebrating indie rock music lovers in the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago.  Here is what one person wrote on a recent blog about Cage The Elephant's and Sleeper Agent's performance in Chicago New Years Eve.
 "Mind blowing really.  Excellent. Knew of Company of Thieves and thought they would go on second, so I missed them which sucked.  Sleeper Agent just blew me away, Cage too. Amazing f-ing rock, energy, all of it. Happy New Year!"
This past summer, Cage The Elephant and Sleeper Agent and a new and upcoming Bowling Green indie rock band who just recently also recorded an album with the famous music producer from Nashville, Jay Joyce, (who produced both albums for Cage The Elephant and Sleeper Agent's debut album) "Schools" played a secret surprise show at Tidballs.http://vimeo.com/28209254  It was said that so many people showed up from Bowling Green and the surrounding area and out of town as well as out of state, that people could not get inside and the parking lot was so packed that fans hung around just listening to the show from outside the small downtown bar and venue.  Cage The Elephant played another hometown surprise show at Western Kentucky in Bowling Green in September that was quickly organized less than a month by the Starry Nights Musical Festival team.  That night another much larger than expected crowd over 3,000 showed up on Western's campus South Lawn to see Cage The Elephant, Manchester Orchestra and local favorite bands, Japanese School Girls and Canago perform.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBSGwLCqbro&feature=related At one point, the campus police threatened to stop the show out of fear that people might getting seriously injured if fans didn't back off the guard rails near the stage. Also, Cage The Elephant went on tour with Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters in the Fall of 2011.  When Cage's drummer, Jared Champion became ill, Grohl sat in as drummer for several performances until Jared was able to get back in the saddle.
Cage is set to release their debut live DVD/CD Jan 3, 2012, called "Live from the Vic in Chicago" and online as iTunes DVD download and digital audio download.  Best Buy is also getting in on the action, as the store will offer an exclusive Blu-Ray disc in stores beginning Jan. 3.  The Blu-Ray will be available via other retailers starting Jan. 17.  Directed by Wayne Isham, Live from the Vic in Chicago was taped during Cage The Elephant's Spring 2011 tour, during which the band played a two-night, sold-out show at The Vic Theatre in Chicago.  The DVD packs 75 minutes of alternative rock action, including the band playing their biggest hits to date, "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked,"  "Shake Me Down" and "Aberdeen."  Fans got an early  taste of the DVD via a 30-minute version of Live from the Vic in Chicago, which premiered on MTV, MTV2, MTVU, MTV Hits and MTV.com this past fall.

    Sleeper Agent will be aboard the Weezer Cruise Jan. 19-23, 2012, from Miami to Cozumel..http://www.theweezercruise.com/  Some of the other bands that will be on the cruise besides Weezer and Sleeper Agent will dinosaur jr., the Wavves and The Knocks among several others bands. Cage The Elephant will be breaking new ground in their extensive travels in which they will heading down to Brazil in 2012.
    Apparently, the sky is the limit for these already successful two young Bowling Green indie rock bands in 2012 who are making headlines all over the world in magazines, newspapers, the Internet, videos and blogs.  They are bringing tons of attention to our fair city of Bowling Green with a population of 58,000 and all eyes are us in the indie rock world because of them.  2012 should be another amazing, incredible year as these two bands as they continue to skyrocket to the top even further!

Galen A. Smith Sr. is a native of Memphis, Tenn., and has lived with his wife, Patty, and son, Tony "Tutone" Smith who is a member of Sleeper Agent, in Bowling Green since 1988.  He writes a blog, www.acriticfromthesouth.blogspot.com    Join the Cage The Elephant and Sleeper Agent fan pages on Facebook at "Cage The Elephant's Facebook Fan Page" and "Sleeper Agent's Facebook Fan Page."

KFC Has Become A Christmas Tradition In Japan

    I found this to be a very interesting story since I live in Kentucky and I'm still amazed at KFC's  phenomenal growth and how they have filtrated cultures with their fast fried chicken all over the world.  Apparently, Kentucky Fried Chicken has become very popular at Christmas time in Japan through the years!  Check out the story.http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2011/12/22/japans-finger-lickin-christmas-tradition/?hpt=hp_bn8

The Filming of Sleeper Agent's "Get Burned" Video In Bowling Green, Ky.

   Tony got home from the most recent Sleeper Agent show in Atlanta with another indie rock band called "Awolnation" around 3 a.m. this morning.  He had to get up at 8 a.m. to go to the filming of the video for "Get Burned," the next single off Sleeper Agent's album, "Celabrasion."  Get Burned is one of my favorite Sleeper Agent songs.  It's peppy and it has an upbeat tempo.youtube.com/watch?v=rFMPUHmmp2c
   I asked him if I could drop by for a little bit on my lunch hour to see the video filming and he said "Sure, Dad," like there would be no problem at all.  So I did.  It was being filmed upstairs at the old "Spot Cash and Carry Clothing Store" in downtown Bowling Green which is now Labold and Sons Salvage Co.youtube.com/watch?v=1_sk_e93Hk8  Apparently, they have a lot cool, old vintage stuff in there.  Even Robert Plant from the former classic rock band, Led Zeppelin dropped by there one day a couple months ago and spent a little time looking around.
   I walked in the store and said, "Hello, I'm Tony's dad from Sleeper Agent and I was wanting to know where they are filming the video."  And the nice lady named, "Danielle, the owner said, "Oh, it's upstairs." And she had her assistant to show me the way.  As we were heading up the stairs, the young lady said, "Watch your head, you can bump it easily here," and so I watched my head.  I was led down a dark, dusty, attic looking hallway which also looked an old dilapidated apartment which I bet was at least 100 years old or more.
   I found Tony, Alex, Justin, Josh, Scott and Lee all sitting in this old room with covered antique chairs, couches and benches waiting for the next scene to be shot.  Of course, the room was filled with cigarette smoke.  Matt Shutlz from Cage The Elephant who was directing the video and he was running up and down the hallway wearing black jeans and boots and a black cowboy hat and shirt.  He saw me and said, "Hey Galen and came into the room gave me a big hug as I stood up."  "Good to see you, Matt, " I said.  He said, "Good to see you too, Galen."  Matt then continues to run down the hallway.
    I sat back down next to Tony and another young guy comes in and takes everyone's order for Subway sandwiches.  He offered me one but I declined because I had already eaten.  Also, Darby, the marketing director for Mom + Pop Records from New York City was there and she came in and shook my had and introduced herself to me.  She said, "It's such a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Smith." And I said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Darby. I've been seeing you on Facebook."
  "That's right, we're Facebook friends, aren't we?" she said with a big friendly smile. "Yes, we are," I said.
After a while, I got up and walked around and took a few photos.  The place was dark and cramped.  I felt like that I could easily get in everyone's way.  So I went back downstairs.  Some of the band members had also gathered downstairs and went outside for a few moments.  Then Tony came down too.  He offered for me to stay awhile longer.  But I told him that I needed to get back to work.  We gave each other a big hug and we agreed that we would see each other at the house tonight.
   As I was driving off, I thought to myself, "You know, it must be really fun and exciting to be young and be in a rock band, shooting videos and traveling all over the country as well as playing before thousands of fans."  But then again, that lifestyle is not for everyone I thought. It takes a certain kind of person. You've got to be young, energetic, talented and really, really want it bad.  Also, it takes tons of hard work. And Sleeper Agent has it and done that.
     Now I can't wait to see the video!

How Stupid Can Stupid Get? Man Steals Car After Wreck In Order To Get Home From The Hospital

  BOWLING GREEN, Ky. _ Man, there are some stupid people in this world.  Or should I say some dumb criminals.  This is one of those guys who is a complete idiot!  Why didn't he just call someone to come pick him up to take him home after he was released from the hospital? Or at least call a taxi cab.  Then a friend or family member could have paid the tab perhaps.
   And I'm sure that he didn't have any health insurance either.  So it's the taxpayers like us that will be paying his hospital bill too not to mention the fact that we'll have to provide him with a cot and three square meals while he sits in jail.  So just how stupid can stupid get?

   Check out this crime story that the crackerjack crime beat reporter, Deborah Highland wrote for the Bowling Green  Daily News. Deborah does a fantastic job for the newspaper.

By DEBORAH HIGHLAND, The Daily News, dhighland@bgdailynews.com/783-3243 

A Butler County man who needed a ride home from The Medical Center after receiving treatment for injuries suffered in a car wreck is accused of stealing a Lexus from a Bowling Green dealership in order to get back home to Morgantown.

William Peterson Jr. called the Bowling Green Police Department on Monday to report a break-in at Certified Auto, 1001 U.S. 31-W By-Pass. Someone had used a flower pot to break the front window to gain access into the building, according to police records.

Once inside, the thief rummaged through desk drawers before finding vehicle keys in a closet. Numerous keys were scattered around the office. Peterson told police that a 1997 Lexus SC300 was missing from the lot, records show.

As police prepared to process the crime scene, Butler County Sheriff Scottie Ward called to say that he had recovered the Lexus and was with the man believed to have taken the car, Timothy Jones Sr., 24, according to records.

Ward found Jones after Jones' mother called Ward to tell him that her son had driven a car home that probably wasn't his, Ward said. Ward drove to 7559 Caneyville Road in Morgantown to talk to Jones, who asked the sheriff for a ride back to Bowling Green so that he could talk to city police here about the incident.

Jones, 24, whose address is listed as 7559 Caneyville Road, told Bowling Green police that he had been taken to The Medical Center on Monday after being involved in a car wreck in Butler County. He was released at 1:30 a.m. and could not get a ride home from anyone. As he was walking, he noticed Certified Auto. Jones told police that the door to the business was unlocked and denied breaking a window to get in, records show.

Jones said he found several keys in a closet and took several sets outside with him, according to police records. He told police that he took the Lexus and drove home.

Police charged Jones with third-degree burglary and theft by unlawful taking-auto. He is being held in the Warren County Regional Jail on a $6,000 bond, according to online jail records. He is scheduled for a court appearance Friday in Warren District Court.

Indie Rock Is Alive And Well In Bowling Green, Ky, with Cage The Elephant, Sleeper Agent and Schools.

  My son, Tony, left last night from our house with Alex Kandel, the lead singer of "Sleeper Agent," the indie rock band from Bowling Green, Ky., to fly to Portland to perform in a sold-out show with Awolnation at the Crystal Ballroom Wednesday night, Dec. 7th.http://www.mcmenamins.com/events/96074--Sold-out-December-to-Remember  Actually, they flew out of Nashville this morning.  Of course, they drove down to Nashville with the other members of the band in their van and stayed with some friends overnight before heading out this morning.  Patty, my wife and I, always enjoy having Tony back home even if it's just for 15 hours like it was this last time.
  Sleeper Agent is picking up a lot of speed and touring and gaining more notoriety and fans across the nation.  They have been touring with some big name acts of the late such as Cage The Elephant, The Joy Formidable, Manchester Orchestra, Foster The People, Bush, Grouplove and Awolnation, just to name a few.  Their album "Celabrasion" has been out several months now and selling really well.  To say the least and as you can probably tell, I am really proud of my kid, Tony.

   Regardless, I saw Matt Shultz again, the lead singer from Cage The Elephant a couple weeks ago at the Lava Lounge in Bowling Green where Tony and I went to see the up and coming new indie rock band from Bowling Green, called "Schools" perform.  Matt was friendly as always. Jay Joyce, the famous music producer from Nashville who recorded Cage The Elephant's two album, "Cage The Elephant," and "Thank You, Happy Birthday" and Sleeper Agent's "Celabrasion" also recorded "Schools" new album about a month ago.  Also, I got to meet Jeremi Simon, the lead singer and songwriter for "Schools."  By the way, the Schools sounded great that night.  And Jeremi is a super, nice guy also like Matt from Cage The Elephant.  I think the Schools will go far in the business like Cage The Elephant and Sleeper Agent has already.
   These are some very exciting times for indie rock music in the City of Bowling Green.  I think it is incredible that we already have three bands that have recorded albums and two bands are currently on tour and headlining with other national acts.  "Schools" is not quite out of the starting gate yet, but they are getting there, fast and soon.  Be on the look out for these guys!