Jonny Greenwood started The Smile with jazz drummer Tom Skinner because he was frustrated with the slow progress of releasing content with Radiohead who have fa

Jonny Greenwood started The Smile with jazz drummer Tom Skinner because he was frustrated with the slow progress of releasing content with Radiohead who have famously stayed independent and in control after fulfilling their initial EMI contract. He was wanting put music out fast and often, "90% polished" with none of the baggage of Radiohead's legacy or expectations. After bringing in Thom Yorke they have 3 albums in as many years and just release stuff randomly as it's ready. Pure creativity and a lot of it is more than good enough to satisfy my Radiohead itch. While there are a few never finished/published Radiohead era tracks like Skrting on the Surface, most of it comes out of the trio jamming together.