Acid Reign frontman Howard H Smith has spent decades making noise on stage, but these days he is just as likely to be found behind a microphone doing stand-up or podcasting. For The MetalTalk Lowdown, he takes us from getting pissed with Bruce Dickinson and magical nights at Bloodstock to Limp Bizkit, royalties, anxiety and the importance of sleep.
He also discovers that asking a singer what it feels like to write a great riff may not have been our finest moment.
What’s the most Metal thing you’ve ever done off stage?
Hung out and got pissed with Bruce Dickinson for a couple of hours.
What’s the worst gig you’ve ever played, and why?
Back in the day, we played Birmingham. We were headlining, and we were there all day as other bands were using our kit. It was totally miserable. Nobody wanted to be there, and Ramsey had a cymbal stolen.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever played, and why?
It is probably a tie between McGonagle’s in Dublin in 1990 and headlining the Sophie Lancaster Stage at Bloodstock 2016. Why is that? On both occasions, there was magic in the air all the way through the set. Everybody. Security, crowd and band all knew something special was happening.
Would you choose a platinum record or one perfect, legendary live show?
Without doubt a platinum record, because perfect does not exist.
What’s your greatest fear?
Anxiety.
What’s the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Short answers.
What’s the trait you most deplore in other musicians?
Selfishness. We’re a team.
Describe yourself in three words.
Short, empathetic, entertaining.
What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Limp Bizkit.
What does a great riff feel like to write?
I wouldn’t know. I’m a singer. Who wrote these fucking questions?!🤣
What’s the worst thing a fan has ever said to you?
“I thought it was Jayce (producer) singing the beginning of Centre Of Everything.” What the actual fuck, dude! 🤣
What’s the worst thing a critic has ever said to you?
That the band would be better off without me. He was killed six months later, so be warned, anyone thinking of giving me a bad review.
If you were not in music, what would you be doing?
Stand up. Still do.
What’s one album outside your genre you secretly love?
No one should have to apologise for their musical taste, no matter what genre they are a fan of. I like loads of stuff outside Metal.
When did you last cry, and why?
Yesterday morning I watched the new documentary No One’s Disciple about Neil Peart. Blubbering mess by the end.
What keeps you awake at night?
Unwanted thoughts.
Riffs, royalties or recognition, if you had to choose?
Let’s be practical. Only one of those pays the bills and enables the others to happen. So it would be royalties.
How do you want to be remembered?
Lyricist, frontman, stand-up. He came, he saw, he made us laugh.
What’s the most important lesson the road has taught you?
Prioritise sleep over everything. Without it, you cannot deliver, and you cannot enjoy yourself. We are all batteries, and we need charging every night. Adrenaline can only get you so far.
What happens when the music stops?
Everyone goes home.
Catch Acid Reign on the Last Daze Of 2026 Tour this November. Tickets are available at linktr.ee/acidreigntour.
