Smash and Grab

The song "Smash and Grab" by Juliette and the Licks from their 2006 album Four on the Floor is a high-octane rock anthem that captures the band’s raw energy and punk-infused sound. One piece of trivia about the song is its recording process, which featured Dave Grohl of Nirvana and Foo Fighters fame laying down the drum tracks. In a 2006 interview with Albumrock, Juliette Lewis described the studio vibe as electric, with Grohl’s powerful drumming pushing the band to new heights. She noted that his involvement brought a “blues-rock explosion” to the track, amplifying its gritty, rebellious spirit.

Another interesting story comes from the band’s live performances of "Smash and Grab" during their 2006-2007 tours. At a memorable 2007 show at the Bataclan in Paris, documented by Culturesco, Juliette Lewis was described as a “wild, untamed force,” sweating profusely and leaping into the crowd, embodying the song’s lyrics about hot pursuits and reckless abandon. Fans on the Juliette and the Licks Facebook page have shared memories of this era, recalling how the song’s driving rhythm and provocative lyrics, like “I stole your heart, burnin’ rubber baby,” got audiences moshing and singing along. The song’s music video, available on YouTube, further showcases this chaotic energy, with fast cuts and a car-chase aesthetic.

Juliette and the Licks was formed in 2003 by frontwoman Juliette Lewis, an Oscar-nominated actress known for roles in films like Natural Born Killers and Cape Fear. According to the band’s bio on Wikipedia, Lewis’s music career began after a pivotal moment in 2001 when she attended a Blondie concert with Patty Schemel, drummer for Hole. Inspired by the live energy, Lewis decided to form her own band. She recruited Schemel, guitarist Todd Morse, and bassist Paul Ill, and the group released their debut EP, …Like a Bolt of Lightning, in 2004. Lewis’s transition from acting to music was driven by her desire to create an “antidote to self-doubt and apathy,” as she stated in a 2004 press release quoted on Google Play.

The band’s early sound blended punk, garage rock, and blues, with Lewis’s raw, raspy vocals drawing comparisons to Steven Tyler of Aerosmith. After Schemel left before the second album, the band continued with new members, including Jason Womack on bass and Ed Davis on drums for live shows. Juliette and the Licks gained a cult following through relentless touring and high-energy performances, including opening for Muse and Chris Cornell. The band disbanded in 2009 but reunited in 2015 for a Los Angeles show and toured Europe in 2016, as noted in posts on their X account. In 2018, band members tweeted about working on new music, hinting at a possible revival.

For fans looking to connect, the band’s official website is julietteandthelicks.com. Their active social media includes Facebook, Instagram, and X, where they share updates and throwback content. Fan communities thrive on platforms like the Juliette and the Licks Fan Group on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks might find like-minded enthusiasts sharing bootlegs and concert stories. A dedicated fan site, Juliette & the Licks Fansite, offers a gallery of live photos, streaming videos, and a forum for discussions, keeping the band’s legacy alive.