Band Biographies

Jeremy Smith: Vocals, Guitars & Harp

Jeremy has been writing and playing music for over 18 years. His music and lyrical style is one that incorporates deep rooted rockin' blues with a twist of modern acoustic sound. His high energy and intimate songs are a refelction of his own unique spirit that brings his influences of artists like John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Ben Harper and Nirvana. "Music has always been close to my heart. A song is like a journey through time and space. I believe music is pure expression something that you just can't fake." Jeremy has been including the harmonica in the bands most recent work and thanks the influences of James Cotton, Lee Oscar, John Popper and Taj Mahal. " Itsjustsmith is an evolution of each of our creative forces. I'm looking foward to what the future holds for us."

Ronnie Beals: Guitars and Vocals

Ronnie began learning to play his favorite songs by studing the Rock n' Blues styles of his favorite guitarists like Alex Lifeson, Stevie Ray, Hendrix and Jimmy Page. " Maturing musically, I feel my guitar approach has simplified. The song determines what I play, if it's not right for the song, then it's not required." Having lived in South America for a few years it had broadened his understanding of rhythm and melody. If you listen to the guitar solos on the songs "Pushed Me To Far" and "If it was up to me" by the band it is clear the influence this part of his life had on him. " Writing and recording keeps the creative juices flowing, the passion for the song, story in the lyric, detail in the delivery and the honesty in the performance. I believe the music Itsjustsmith creates is a result of our freiendship. The bond we have created between the three of us, along with the support of our family and friends continues to motivate all of us."

Sam McClay: Drums, Percussion and Vocals

Sam has been playing the drums and percussion for over 25 years, playing various musical styles with numerous bands. The Birchmount Park C.I Big Band, The Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra, Sound Delusion, Boneshake, Andy's Promise to name a few but has found his home and musical soulmates with Itsjustsmith. " Itsjustsmith has changed my drumming style as the band and myself have learned to communicate well in the song making process and as the old saying goes, sometimes less is more, which took a long time to learn as a drummer. If it suits the song, go nuts, if not then leave space, trying to find the groove is what it's all about." Sam's musical interest include everything from Jazz, Dance, R&B to Hard Rock but was mainly influenced as a drummer by all the standard classic rock greats, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Black Sabbath and The Band being at the top of the list.

John Rogers - Bass Guitar

John started playing the bass at an early age but it was not until after University that he began taking the bass more seriously and began playing live with a variety of bands, fine-tuning his bass skills & developing his own style of playing.  It was in the spring of 2004 that John was introduced through a mutual friend to ITSJUSTSMITH drummer Sam McClay and was soon accepted as the bands first official bassist. Other then a brief one year hiatus from 2008-2009 John’s has never strayed far from ITSJUSTSMITH continuing to act as Jeremy's solo bassist, playing live with his acoustic side project where they giged with other musicians during the recording & production of ITSJUSTSMITH debut CD.  It was shortly before the completion of the Army of Freedom CD that John officially rejoined the band and began preparing for the extensive live shows the band had lined up to showcase their new material.    John's earliest influences came from Paul McCartney, Geddy Lee, John Paul Jones, Sting, John Entwistle and Basil Donovan.