Written by: Alex Green
Kendra Smith will rejoin the Dream Syndicate for shows in L.A. and San Francisco.
The band wrote on Social Media: “We’re so excited to announce that our good friend and former bandmate Kendra Smith will be joining us for a few songs at our shows next week at the The Historic El Rey Theater in Los Angeles (December 15) and the The Independent in San Francisco (December 16).”
Smith, who went to U.C. Davis with Dream Syndicate frontman Steve Wynn, is an original member of the band. She played on the Down There EP as well as the classic album The Days Of Wine And Roses.
After leaving the band, Smith went on to play in Rainy Day as well as Opal.
An elusive figure, Smith has been off the radar for the last 20 years or so. Rumored to be living off the grid in a cabin in the woods of Northern California, in many ways Smith’s the J.D. Salinger of the Paisley Underground.
The reformed Dream Syndicate’s new album How Did I Find Myself Here? ends with a six-minute tip of the hat to Smith called “Kendra’s Dream.”
In other Dream Syndicate news, former Dumptruck member Kirk Swan will be playing guitar for the band on several upcoming dates.
The newly reformed band’s regular guitarist Jason Victor will be out for the next few weeks due to familial obligations, so Swan will be stepping in for him on dates in Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Nashville, and, according to the Dream Syndicate’s Steve Wynn, “possibly a few more.”
Wynn, who revealed the news on social media, assured fans that all is well with Victor and his family.
“…all good, no worries and more details soon,” he wrote.
He added: “Kirk and I have played together for years in my solo bands—he actually subbed for Jason in the Miracle 3 a few years back. Always nice to make music with old friends. Come on out and say hi.”