Paid To Smile (aka Paid2$mile, P2$) was chosen from the well known phrase 'paid to smile', the basic meaning of the name is from a regular feeling amongst people... they feel like they are forced to put on a brave/happy face in situations where they really want to just be on their own and cry. People are paid to smile all the time - not literally with just money of course but as an act of forced courage.

Paid 2 $mile recently played the Amersham Arms in New Cross (South London) and have gigs lined up around Kent and London. Playing live is one of the best things about being in paid2$mile - it's a form of expression and about all - FUN!

Next gigs:
Saturday 28th August 04 - Horsebridge Arts Centre - Whistable, Kent - 1.30pm

Wed October 6th 04- Alexandra, Penge (South London)

Saturday October 23rd 04 - Upstairs at the Garage - Highbury, London, 7pm

Mp3s change the music industry because people aren't getting so ripped off now and it's so much easier to find new bands. It's really difficult to get your band's cd into a record store, so being able to download mp3s has helped unsigned and up and coming bands to promote themselves and get their name out there. Also, it means more tickets are sold for gigs because the bands are more widely known. The internet has really helped the music industry.

It depends on the conditions. There have been stories of the major labels trying to change bands into something they don't want to be and that is just wrong. As long as we are playing music and having fun and not totally in debt then it's all good!

Paid To Smile were formed in September 2002 with their first band practise in October 2002.
Three close friends: Lauren (vocals), Faye (guitar and vocals) and Amy (bass) decided to put thier musical influences together and start a band. Lauren and Faye started writing songs together and after a few were composed felt like they wanted to take things further and more serious. Amy - a very close friend of both Faye and Lauren was called upon for bass duties and the threesome set out to find a drummer and second guitarist.
Tom was found through an internet musicians website and after chatting to the band, found out that he would be a very suitable drummer for the band and this was true... after practises together, Tom was enlisted to make paid2$mile a 4 piece.
Faye knew Cory through mutual friends and he, too, was asked to join the band - the band was complete and had their first ever gig on August 25th 2004 in Croydon, which had a great attendence and went amazingly well for the band!
After various gigs around the local circuit and the production of an EP recorded at 'Scream Studios', Cory decided to quit the band (on good terms) to start an indie band called 'Subkulture'. Sam from emo band 'This Year's Photo' was asked to join as second guitarist and he soon fitted in. After more gigs around Kent and London the band picked up a few promotion companies' interests, this gave the band added recognition and has helped in aquiring gigs in even greater venues (e.g the Garage in Highbury).
Tom sadly parted the band due to him starting college but still remains great friends with the band. Paid 2 $mile currently have stand by drummers but are looking for a more permanent fixture... if interested please get in contact. And that, is paid2$mile as we currently know it!
'Mental Breakdown' and 'What Happened To You?' came soon after. Amy Leetham returned to the band on bass and Karen left. The band was a 3 piece and a drummer was needed. Faye contacted Elliot from the band 'Forsake The Dark' to join on drums. They wrote a few songs together for both bands, however the distance made it difficult for Elliot to become a full time part of the band.
Cory turned up to a band practise around April 2003. The band played through some tunes and Cory fitted in tremendously! Tom joined the band in June 2003 through a meeting off the Kerrang message board and Paid To Smile were complete.
They had their first gig on August 25th 2003 at the Cartoon in Croydon after practising at Scream Studios in Croydon. The band are currently preparing for the other gigs they have lined up and are writing new material. The EP 'Omniscient Mirage' was released on October 12th containing the songs: 'What happened to you?', 'Verbal Abuse' and 'Mental Breakdown'. During January 2004 the band split for about a month but now Paid To $mile are back with a new guitarist and many more gigs confirmed.

The band have many influences and here are just some:
Tsunami Bomb, Alkaline Trio, Incubus, Taking Back Sunday, Brand New, Greenday, Bouncing Souls, Save Ferris, Avenged Sevenfold.

London! We have California dreams though...

Thanks for all the support and come to one of our shows for an awesome, fun night out!