Smoken is about 'music', not fads or the latest trends. Somehow, Smoken, has managed to incorporate a blend of styles ranging from rock and blues, gospel ballads, funky blues and everything in-between to develop a new fresh sound. They have taken the best of yesterday and brought it into this generation with an exciting twist that can easily appeal to younger and older fans alike. Led by lead singer Lauren Smoken (that's her real name by the way) and backed by guitarist George Mazzola and rythym section...the band smokes. Lauren's passionate and highly emotional singing is mesmerizing. The perfect blend of Janis Joplin, Tina Turner, Etta James, Stevie Nicks, Steve Marriot and Robert Plant all rolled into a fireball of energy and raw talent. She is equally exciting on stage and in the studio, but especially live, she has to be seen to be believed. She can drop your jaw and raise the hair on your arms quicker than you can say 'show stopper', yet no one can sing a ballad like Lauren. Absolute passion from the heart, guts, and soul. Guitar virtuoso, George Mazzola brings a wide range of color and emotion to the table. Mixing elements of gut wrenching blues and hard rock, he skillfully combines old and new styles. George pulls, from all the classic great guitar players like Hendrix, Page, Clapton, Beck, (the list is endless), to form a sound that is both exciting and heartfelt, bluesy, yet rock hard hitting. This is one very talented guitar player and has what it takes to be added to the list of greats. George has already left his mark by earning top prize in the Jimi Hendrix Guitar Context in New York. Yet aside from his obvious instrumental talents, he knows how to play 'to' a song, which he feels is the most important factor. All members of Smoken write music and are veterans of the South Florida and New York music scene. **'Once Upon a Time', was written about George's old guitar buddy Johnny Depp, (that's right, the movie star). In a recent conversation, Johnny spoke about the 'perils of stardom and going back to the way things use to be'. The title also has a double meaning concerning music. When 'Once Upon a Time', rock and roll was soulful, uninhibiting, and inspiring to the listener. This is a killer act, check them out.... ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ All Music Guide Review Smoken is vocalist Lauren Smoken - a fiery blues-rock belter, supported by guitarist George Mazzola. The duo has written a set of dynamic barn-burners for her debut album, Spoonful of Stars. Both are showcased in prime form on this record, as each are given plenty of space to sing and play, with each displaying great chops. Smoken's sultry, svelte, impassioned vocals of course take the center stage, and deservedly so, since her powerful delivery puts these songs over, but Mazzola has enough place to show he's quite a guitarist in his own right. But perhaps the best thing about Spoonful of Stars is that Smoken and Mazzola not only can play, but they can write really strong songs, too. From the moment "Are U Still Thinking" kicks off the record, it's evident that these two have written a strong set of songs that go beyond what barroom blues-rock in the early 2000s can do - it's melodic and tough, sexy and smart all at the same time. Perhaps this production doesn't crackle with the ferocity of a live show, but with these fine performances and strong set of songs, Spoonful of Stars is a debut that proves Smoken is a talent worth watching.