Get Smart! (band)

Get Smart!
Frank Loose, Lisa Wertman Crowe and Marc Koch circa 1980, Lawrence, KS.
Background information
Origin	Lawrence, Kansas Chicago, Illinois
Genres	Punk rock, alternative rock, new wave
Years active	1980–1990
Labels	Fresh Sounds, Fever, Restless, Enigma
Associated acts	Dolly Varden, Nora O'Connor Band, the Honeybees, Cryin' Out Loud
Website	getsmartmusic.com
Members	Marc Koch Lisa Wertman Crowe Frank Loose Bob Lara
Past members	Ric Menck, Jay Sebastian

Get Smart! was a three piece band formed in Lawrence, Kansas in 1980 consisting of Marc Koch, Lisa Wertman Crowe and Frank Loose.

The band formed while at University of Kansas in 1980 and, along with bands like the Embarrassment, Start and the Mortal Micronotz, they were prominent in the alternative music scene in Lawrence. They released their first record in 1981, which was a flexi disc released with "Talk Talk" magazine. This was followed by the self-released 4-track Words Move EP. Next was a four band split cassette, released by Fresh Sounds Records, called Fresh Sounds From Middle America (vol 1) (the four bands being Get Smart!, the Embarrassment, the Yard Apes and the Mortal Micronotz). In 1982 they relocated to Chicago, IL. The group were signed by Colin Camerer to his Fever Records label (an independent label in Philadelphia, PA) and released their first album, Action Reaction in 1984. Swimming with Sharks was released in 1986 on Enigma Records' "Restless Records" imprint.

The band received considerable coverage in Nebraska's "Capitol Punishment" fanzine.

In 1987 Bob Lara, from the band Reaction, was added as a second guitarist. Shortly afterwards, Frank Loose left the band. He was originally replaced in 1988 by Ric Menck. Ric only stayed with the band for a short time. He was replaced by Jay Sebastian (aka "Redd Klaats"). Jay left the band after about a year, at which they continued as an acoustic trio until they disbanded in 1990.