A Musical and professional Biography of Timothy “Smu” McCarthy III

Timothy "SMU" McCarthy III, was born on 1/3/1977 in Palos Heights Il. He is a Cuban/Irish mutt with an affinity towards music, grooves, and energy. His first guitar was a Christmas gift in 1982. In fourth grade he sang in the school choir, and in fifth grade he joined the district 118 Junior High Band, under the direction of Richard Daugherty, playing the Alto Saxophone studying under Al Carver. In Seventh grade he purchased his first electric bass around his thirteenth birthday. This was 1990 at the end of the Glam rock era and he was very into bands such as Motley Crue, Guns N Roses, and Jane’s Addiction. He was asked to leave the school band in 8th grade do to being a discipline problem. This opened up the door for him to play Rock “N’ Roll!!

It was in his sophomore year of High school that Tim picked up the moniker Smu. He also played in many high school bands while discovering life and higher planes of reality. It was at the end of high school that he joined his first major ensemble The Minataurz Ov P aka M.O.P. This was an art ensemble of late teens going through their psychedelic revolution. They released Two CD'S "the 573 Years" and "MOP". The band performed and recorded with Smu from 1995-1999, while performing in Chicago clubs Phyllis’s Musical Inn, Roby's, The Big Horse, and others. In 1999 the M.O.P. camp went there separate ways to attend higher education.


After high-school he attended Moraine Valley Community College (1995-1998) where he began a two year stint in the Moraine Valley Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Tim Burns. It was here that he first learned music theory, the modal system and how to read chord charts. He then went on to Columbia College as a Sound major, After two years of study Smu quickly realized he needed to seize his dream and changed majors to jazz performance. Smu studied Double Bass under Greg Sarchat (Chicago's Lyric Opera), and Dan Anderson (Chicago Jazz Ensemble). He also studied electric bass with Doug Loughstrum (composer-in-residence for the Metropolis Symphony Orchestra). While attending the Jazz school he studied under most of the Chicago Jazz Ensemble members including Scott Hall (trumpet), Frank Dawson (Guitar), Bobbi Wilsyn (jazz vocal), TS Galloway (trombone),and  the legendary William Russo (conductor, composer, and trombonist from the Stan Kenton Orchestra). During his studies, Smu joined the band Forty Piece Choir. In which he really cut his teeth and made a name for himself in the Chicago music scene. Smu graduated in 2001 from Columbia College with a BFA in Fine Arts majoring in jazz Performance, and pursued music with the psychedelic Americana band Forty Piece Choir. 

Smu joined the psychedelic Americana rock band Forty Piece Choir in 1999 with members of the 1900’s and M.O.P, Tim Minnick on drums and Ed Anderson on multiple instrumentation. His first recording with the group was FPC’S sophomore full length Face Your Fear, released on subsidiary Cooked County Records label Blue Room Studio in 2002, meticulously recorded by Edgars Legzdins, Mixed by Brian Deck (Iron & Wine, Modest Mouse, Tortoise) at Engine Music Studios, the albums endowments were charmingly brought to life through Deck’s interpretation. Patrick Conlan of Illinois Entertainer shares these words on Face Your Fear. “Continuing their successful harvesting from a broad spectrum of influences and styles, Forty Piece Choir sculpts marvelous, cinematic compositions on Face Your Fear. Packed with sensuous sonic details that invite repeated listens, Fear overflows with sweetly crafted sophistication that manages to be achingly gorgeous, swimmingly whimsical, and playfully eclectic while sounding lushly integrated.”

Tennessee, the third full length Cooked County Records release from 2003, saw the group maturing as a quintet. Recorded by Groovemaster Studio producer/engineer John Doyle (Plain White T’s, Kill Hannah, Disturbed), the band solidified its home recording techniques with Doyle’s keen ear. Roots Music Report declares, “Forty Piece Choir has created an absolutely phenomenal album. Tennessee is a rollercoaster of an album that at times submerses itself deep within the mind, and floods the senses with audio ecstasy. This group represents true musicality in that they are not caged by a particular musical styling. “Forty Piece Choir” hints that there at least forty different influences in every song, so every song is a different journey into musicality.”

Forty Piece Choir released their fourth full length "The Profound Nature of Life" abroad on Cooked County Records with a performance at House of Blues. Exclusively distributed through CD Baby and its digital partnerships that include Apple iTunes and emusic, the album was recorded by the band and mixed/mastered by Mike Hagler of King Size Sound Labs (Wilco, Ok Go, Neko Case). With rawness akin to 50's Rock-N-Roll artists, the group crafts their most upbeat effort while retaining their eclectic array of musical inspirations.

Forty Piece Choir has shared the stage with Umphrey’s McGee, Jackson Browne, Dave Mason, the Bo Deans, Ekoostik Hookah, Gogol Bordello, Stars, Pat MacDonald, the Waco Brothers, Robbie Fulks, Essex Green, the Baldwin Brothers, Leona Naess, Sleeping At Last, Josh Rouse, and an endless array of talented artists.

 While frequenting the Chicago club scene, Forty Piece Choir has appeared at House of Blues, Metro, Double Door, Schubas, Martyrs, Empty Bottle, Abbey Pub, Hideout, Park West, and everywhere in between. As well as some of the Midwest’s finest venues, Founders Brewery in Grand Rapids Mi, Bell’s Eccentric Café in Kalamazoo Mi, the Canopy Club in Urbana IL, the High Dive in Champaign Il, The Green Room in Iowa City, and many other Midwest venues from MN. to OH.

Festivals, including Toronto’s North by Northeast Music Festival and Sturgeon Bay’s Steel Bridge Song Fest, have received the energy of Forty Piece Choir’s music favorably. “It’s an energy that makes for a good live show, says Hostage Radio program director Billy Giannopoulos. “They’re a band that a lot of Chicago acts should look up to,” he says. “There have been a lot of changes in the band but they keep coming back with more and more powerful songs and records.”

The band disbanded after the 2007 release/farewell performance for the Profound Nature of Life, ending a ten year career.

Smu was the stage manager for promotion company ANSS from 2005-2008 running international performances at the Chicago Theater, and Harriss Theater at Millennium park in Chicago.

Tim began employment with US Music Corp in March of 2006. He’s worn many titles with the company varying from customer service rep, customer service manager, amp service, inside sales, and artist relations for Eden. USM currently owns David Eden, Randall, Washburn, Parker, Oscar Schmidt, and Jay Turser, and is the US distributor for Marshall, Warwick, Hagstrom, Phonic, Quik Lok, Profile, and Natal Drums.

2007 was a year of change for Smu, he became an endorsing artist for the amp and speaker cabinet company David Eden, which is highly praised as being the most sophisticated and best sounding gear for bass amplification and tone. He also became an artist relations rep/product specialist bringing bassist Phil Lesh from the Grateful Dead/Further in to the Eden family, while reconnecting with Phish bassist Mike Gordon. Other artists he set up artist accounts with and or assisted with tone, gear selection and service with the company are: (Felix Moreno: Future Rock, Chris Gangi: Cornmeal, Tracy Warmorth: the B52’S, John Hatton: the Brian Setzer Orchestra, Charlie Hayward: the Charlie Daniels Band, Mike Watt: the Stooges/ the Minute Men, Matt Hayes: Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Phil Risko: Ekoostik Hookah, Chris Sell: Steez, Robert McConnel: Papadosio, Brian Samuals: UV Hippo, Polo Jones: Eric Clapton, Kai Echardt: Garaj Mahal/John Mclaughlin, Jon Evans: Tori Amos and many others).

In 2007 Smu started the Chicago based promotion company Smu Presents. The company books and promotes late night dance music, groove oriented fusion Get Downs, and mind expanding psychedelic acts.

In 2010 he started the Chi-Town Get Downs which take place the first Friday of every month at Chicago's Kinetic Playground. In 2011, he launched the Fusion Intrusion's which blends a mixture of the hottest fusion based artists, as well as Get Down parties in Urbana Il (Illini-Get Down), and Peoria IL (P-Town Get Down). These shows encourage, artists, hula hoopers, poi dancers, and strive on a sense of community which is where our strength comes from.

Artist’s that have performed at Smu Presents shows are: Boombox, Kraz DJ (Eric Krasno from Soulive/Lettuce), Stanton Moore (Galactic), Jesus Ed Coomes (Lettuce), Adam Deitch (Lettuce, Break Science), The Willie Waldman Project, Fifth World, Brain Child, the Herbert Wiser Band, Raoul Duke, the Sam Sinclair Trio, 1000 Vertical FT, Zmick, Electric Boogaloo, the New Fuse, D.F.M., Carla Starla, Kobrakai, Rez and Ramz, and DJ M.T.M.

In early 2007 Smu joined long time friend Michael Berg (Silver Wrapper, Triple Dot Mas, Wicker Park Fest, North Coast Music Fest) in the Americana pop rock act Van Ghost as the original bassist. However he left the group before its debut performance to pursue his own artistic vision. Van Ghost has since blossomed into nationally touring act featuring Jennifer Hartswick on vocals (Trey Anastasio Band/ Jennifer Hartswick Band).

In 2007 Smu put the band Fifth World together, a psychedelic dance band fusing elements of funk, house, acid jazz, hip hop and electronica. With a revolving cast of Chicago’s top players (Asif Wilson (keys), Greg Firak (guitars), Sensei of Soul (MC), Carla Starla (vocals),Nina Rae (vocals) Xavier Galdon (Trombone),Joe Larocca (woodwinds), David Kuchera (drums), John Toth (drums), Marty Rocha (drums) Chris Paquette (percussion), and Richard Ward (percussion).

The band has shared the stage with Thievery Corporation, STS9, Bassnectar, Lotus, Common, Fatboy Slim, Big Gigantic, Lettuce, David Guetta, Whiz Khalifa, Of Montreal, Auto Body, the Hood Internet, Ekoostik Hookah, Boombox, Future Rock, JFJO (numerous times), Family Groove Company, Dextourous Roy (Kris Meyers from Umphrey’s McGee and Elroy from Liquid Soul), the Coop, Roster McCabe, the Twin Cats, Umelt, the Werks (numerous times), Papadosio, Liquid Soul, Biodiesel (Johnny Raab and Clay Parnell from Brother's Past), Strange Arrangement (numerous times), Steez (numerous times),Chicago Afro Beat Project, Afro Zep, Chris Berry and Panjea, Frank Catalano Band, 1000 Vertical Ft., the Hue, Strange Arrangement, Brain Child, This Must be the Band, Zmick, Jesse De Le Pena, Raoul Duke, Herbert Wiser Band, Sam Sinclair Trio, Indigo Sun, the New Fuse, Ifdakar, Wookie Foot, and many others.  

Fifth World has played many of the Midwests most notable clubs as well. House of Blues Chicago Il, Double Door Chicago Il., The Kinetic Playground Chicago Il. ,Reggie's Rock Club Chicago Il, The Canopy Club Urbana Il., Bell's Eccentric Kalamazoo Mi, Papa Pete's Kalamazoo Mi., Peaches Bar and Grill  Yellow Springs OH., the Up and Under Milwaukee Wi., Cranky Pat's Neenah Wi., Mac's Uptowner Charleston Il., Liquid Blues Woodstock Il., and the Illinois Brewing Company Bloomington Il .


The band is also part of the hugely successful Chi Town Get Down event that takes place on the first Friday of every month at the Kinetic Playground in Chicago Il. 

Fifth World has performed at the following Festivals: North Coast Music Fest 2011 (Chicago Il), Spacestock Music and Arts Festival 2011  (Martinton Il.), Robstock 2011 (Forest Park Il)., Jammin' on the Wolf 2011 (Langlade WI), Ifdakamp 2011, (Keil WI), Taste of Randolph 2011 (Chicago Il.), Funk You Festival 2011 Mclean Il, Duck Fest 2010 (Martinton, Il.), Jammin' on the Wolf  2010 (Langlade, Wi)., and Jammin’ on the Wolf 2009 (Langlade Wi.).

In July of 2010, Smu came together with Shane Davies, Nick Franklin, and Marty Rocha to launch the production company North Woods Music which produces  the Jammin’ on the Wolf Music Festival in Langlade Wi. Jammin on the Wolf has blossomed into a 3 day camping music festival, which include white water rafting and 35 plus musical artists each year on numerous stages. Acts that have performed are: Future Rock, Family Groove Company, the Coop, Steez, Fifth World, the New Fuse, Afro Zep, Herbert Wiser Band, Wook, Raoul Duke,      the Sam Sinclair Trio, Taggart Transcontinental, Digeometric, Spare Parts, Clean Sheet, Chicago Farmer, Jaik Willis, Sean Shiel, Phocus, the Taki Allstars, the Stretch, Carla Starla, Kobra Kai, Ram Z, Ever Green Grass Band, Genome, Electric Boogaloo, Indigo Sun, DFM,DJ M.T.M., 1000 Vertical Feet, Elf Lettuce, Run Side Down, Old Shoe, and the  Good Evening,

2011 also brought a new business into Smu’s life: Micro Tunes Brew Tours.

The company organizes multi day Micro brewery tours, with a touring musical act, while providing lavish lodging, transportation, and brew tour specials at each brewery.

In the fall of 2011 Smu stepped down from the bassist role in Fifth World to devote more attention to his family (wife Melissa, son Nyjah, and Daughter Maya Butterfly). He has maintained the role of manager for Fifth World, owning partner and booking manager for Jammin’ on the Wolf/ North Woods Music, owner of Smu Presents, owning partner of Micro Tunes Brew Tours, and inside sales/customer support and Eden artist relations at US Music Corp.

Timothy departed with US Music Corp in Feb of 2012 to pursue his own entertainment based companies.

In 2012 Smu, started three new musical acts. 

Fibonacci a melody driven arena jam rock group with Marty Rocha (Fifth Worls, the New Fuse), Mike Rizman (the Stretch, Uncle Boogie Pants), and Scott Mast (Britt Dignan, Webster Poe). 

the Quantum Mechanics with Wilson (Afro Zep, Kava, 1KVF), and Darren Heitz (Future Rock). The band is writing and recording it's debut concept album Sonoluminescence. It parallels the the human conditions path from birth to transcendence with a physics experiment showing how low oscillating frequencies produce light in meniscus in a beaker, with two piezos producing a low oscillating frequency.


and the tale continues......