Growing up in Portland, OR in the early 2000s, Nick Vicario grew up surrounded by influential bands Poison Idea and Wipers. At age 12, Vicario formed his first band The Diskords, with The Exploding Hearts taking them under their wing. Playing in hardcore bands like Cower eventually led him to indie pop band Wild Ones, who released two records across eight years, the latter of which landed on Topshelf Records. After stints with Public Eye, Cemento, Crisis Man and others, in addition to touring with Surfer Blood and Dreamdecay. Vicario decided to focus his energies on his solo project, Smirk, dropping two albums S/T in 2021 and Material in 2022.

Recently Smirk released Speculative Fiction, via Smoking Room Records (TAGBOW, Young Guv, Hotline TNT). Written entirely by Vicario, the album is Smirk’s third full-length album overall and calls upon some old friends to help round out the record, including Ross Farrar (Ceremony), Max Smadja (RIXE), Ryan Mangione-Smith (Advertisement), and current members of the live incarnation of Smirk, who play in the bands Hotline TNT, Poison Ruin, and Pardoner. Recorded mainly in his home studio, Vicario enlisted Ian Rose to record a few tracks from the effort at Daisy Chain studios in Brooklyn while Andy Oswald handled mixing for the bulk of the record.

The LP deals with a new twist on an age-old theme for punk rock: unrest in the suburbs. Instead this version of unrest deals with looking back on past indiscretions and dealing with their repercussions– disruption of the old life, settling into the new and the reflection that comes with it. These thoughtful lyrics and themes, when paired with Vicario’s guitar pop confection, makes for a unique juxtaposition.

Smirk 2026 Tour Dates

Jul 29 – Philadelphia, PA – The Pouch
Jul 30 – Richmond, VA – Cobra Cabana
Jul 31 – Baltimore, MD – Ottobar Upstairs
Aug 01 – Brooklyn, NY – Union Pool
Aug 02 – Kingston, NY – KBK Studios
Aug 04 – Turners Falls, MA – Rendezvous
Aug 05 – Boston, MA – Deep Cuts
Aug 06 – Providence, RI – News Cafe

order Speculative Fiction by Smirk HERE