Zachary Smith (guitarist)

The Loud Family
The Loud Family performing at Hotel Utah, San Francisco, CA, about 1999. Left to right: Alison Faith Levy, Scott Miller, Gil Ray, Kenny Kessel. (Photo: Robert Toren.)
Background information
Origin	San Francisco, California, United States
Genres	Power pop, jangle pop
Years active	1991 (1991)–2006 (2006)
Labels	Alias, 125 Records
Associated acts	Game Theory, Alternate Learning
Website	www.loudfamily.com
Past members	Scott Miller Jozef Becker Zachary Smith Paul Wieneke Robert Dunbar Poor Kenny Kessel Dawn Richardson Mike Tittel Alison Faith Levy Gil Ray

The Loud Family was a San Francisco-based power pop band formed in 1991 by songwriter and guitarist Scott Miller, who previously led the 1980s band Game Theory. The Loud Family released six studio LPs and one live LP from 1991 until Miller's death in 2013. Two surviving Loud Family members participated in recording sessions for Supercalifragile (2017), Miller's posthumous Game Theory album.

Scott Miller, founder of the group, was a singer, songwriter and guitarist. Prior to forming the Loud Family, he was best known as the leader of the band Game Theory. Miller and his bands were often described as cult favorites, finding critical acclaim but little commercial success.

In 1977, Miller formed Alternate Learning (also known as ALRN), his first band to release commercial recordings, along with future Loud Family bandmate Jozef Becker. Alternate Learning released a self-titled 7" EP in 1979, and a full-length LP called Painted Windows in 1981, on Rational Records. Alternate Learning was based in Davis, California, and frequently performed at U.C. Davis. Miller dissolved Alternate Learning in May 1982.

Game Theory was founded by Miller later in 1982. From 1982 to 1990, Game Theory released seven studio albums (including two EPs), distributed from 1985 to 1988 by Enigma Records, with later CD compilations and re-releases on Alias Records. Initially formed in Davis, the group changed personnel and moved its base to the San Francisco area after recording the album Real Nighttime (1985).

The early Game Theory was described as a "pseudo-psychedelic pop quartet" for which Miller sang and wrote almost all of the material. The group, a college-rock favorite associated with the Paisley Underground scene of L.A. and Davis, developed a strong cult following.

In 1989 and 1990, Game Theory's final touring line-up introduced several of the songs that would later appear on the Loud Family's debut LP.