Smith/Kotzen

Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen share the singing, guitars and songwriting in Smith/Kotzen. Their friendship and informal playing developed into a recording partnership, with both musicians shaping the songs and producing the records. Smith described their shared interest in classic rock and blues in the debut announcement.

Smith had sung lead long before this band, in Urchin and A.S.A.P. His earlier projects explain that history.

The first album

Smith/Kotzen arrived in March 2021. The pair recorded it in the Turks and Caicos Islands in February 2020, sharing bass duties as well as vocals and guitars. Kevin Shirley mixed the record. “Taking My Chances” introduced the album in December 2020. The original credits identify its changing drum lineup.

Nicko McBrain guests on “Solar Fire”. Tal Bergman plays on “You Don't Know Me”, “I Wanna Stay” and “'Til Tomorrow”; Kotzen drums on the other five tracks.

Better Days, then the live band

The four-song Better Days EP followed in November 2021. Better Days…And Nights paired those studio recordings with five live performances in 2022. The live tracks came from the first US and UK shows, with Julia Lage on bass and Bruno Valverde on drums. The release announcement gives the track lists and separates the studio and concert recordings.

This makes Better Days…And Nights useful for hearing the four-piece band. “Hate and Love” appears in both studio and live versions, allowing a direct comparison within the same release.

Black Light / White Noise

The second studio album, Black Light / White Noise, followed in April 2025. Smith and Kotzen produced it in Los Angeles, with Jay Ruston mixing. Lage played bass on five songs, including “White Noise”. Smith said that song addressed social media's constant demands; Kotzen recalled building its chorus around a riff Smith brought in. Their account shows how they develop material together.

The band's 2026 tour announcement confirms the April release and names Lage and Valverde for the live lineup.

Where to start

Start with “Taking My Chances” for the debut, “Solar Fire” for McBrain's contribution, and the two versions of “Hate and Love” for the studio-to-stage comparison. Follow them with “White Noise” from the second album. The official Smith/Kotzen site carries the band's music and live announcements.

Read Smith's profile, his earlier bands or the solo projects and other bands guide.