Lehigh Valley Somebody: In Memory of Mike

Thursday, November 27, 2008

In Memory of Mike

Today we found out that our friend Mike Smitreski passed away. We will miss you, Mike.

Here's a link to Mike's band "The Steeds," a fab garage band. http://www.myspace.com/thesteeds

Photo credit-David Keller

8 comments:

Anonymous said...: I had not been in touch with Mike since the 1980s, when he came out to see my band play one night and later I jammed with him at my house. But I've watched from afar as he took his music way beyond my ability. I remember him as a gentle man, sensitive to other people's needs and feelings.; Fri Nov 28, 08:30:00 AM 2008
Bill Villa said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; Fri Nov 28, 09:24:00 AM 2008
Bill Villa said...: Good Morning Bob Jr., yes, Mike Smitreski was first and foremost a music fan, and especially a live local original music fan, and they can be hard to come by. Especially rare are people in "competing" bands supporting each other. But Mike came out and enthusiastically supported Angie's and my band The Villas frequently, usually snapping performance pictures of us (Mike was a skilled photographer) that we could use for promo purposes and at our web site. It was neat a coupla years ago when The Villas and Mike's band "The Steeds" were both selected (from among thousands of entries) to perform and compete in Little Steven van Sant's Underground Garage Battle of the Bands. We of course wanted to win but our next thought was, well if not us then The Steeds! And we know Mike thought the same way, in reverse, natch. It's weird how life can end so abruptly. Mike Smitreski will be missed by many.

There's a viewing for Mike at Weber Funeral Home, 502 Ridge Avenue in Allentown, this Saturday from 9:00am to 11:00am. I hope they play some music by The Steeds.; Fri Nov 28, 09:29:00 AM 2008
Anonymous said...: Rock On Mike~; Fri Nov 28, 06:13:00 PM 2008
Angie Villa said...: Mike would always send us a sparkly Christmas card, and I am glad that I have saved those cards. He would always take the time to write a few words. When he came over for dinner a few years ago, he seemed to really enjoy a simple meal of roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and corn.

I will never forget the shows we did with The Steeds. They were a lot of fun. And it was always great to see Mike at our Villas shows. He took some cool shots of the band .I will miss you Mike, you are in my thoughts and prayers.; Fri Nov 28, 10:07:00 PM 2008
Ed THE Soundman said...: While doing sound at the Funhouse on Friday night I was informed that Mike Smitreski had suddenly died on Wednesday. Like everyone else, I'm sure, I was shocked and then deeply saddened. Mike was a kind, funny and very talented member of the Lehigh Valley music community. I worked with Mike many, many times when he was a member of the LV garage rock band The Creatures. Mike wrote some great songs with that band. So, Mike, hope you gotta cool band together wherever you are. Many of us will always remember you as the true Zen Master!; Sun Nov 30, 05:59:00 PM 2008
Angie Villa said...: Hi Ed,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

We were at the Lehigh Valley Christmas Show tonight and ran into our friend Steve Brosky, and we shared some memories of Mike.
It's so sad that Mike died so suddenly. Wish I could have said good bye.; Sun Nov 30, 10:56:00 PM 2008
atown-liker said...: This is sad. My fiancee and I knew Mike too, but it's been a while since either of us crossed paths with him. We had some good conversations over the years.; Tue Dec 02, 01:49:00 PM 2008