rarg is the creation of Dan Greensmith, a composer based in Bristol. rarg sprang into being as a result of frustration at the total lack of imagination in mainstream popular music. Originally conceived as a band playing microtonal pop music, rarg has never really acquired any other members other than its founder.

Dan was already a member of several bands in his teens, crossing most genres of music (classical, jazz, funk, soul, pop, rock), but none of them became truly innovative until he co-founded Smokehand with other like-minded members of the previous bands.

Dan studied music under the experimental composer, Frank Denyer, at Dartington College of Arts in Devon. During this time, he collaborated with other composers and artists in a number of projects. Inspired mainly by the music of Tom Waits, Harry Partch, Dr. Octagon, Blue Jam and Captain Beefheart, rarg was given initial form and shape through experimental collaborations with Smokehand guitarist Andy Sherlock, visual artist Keith Cook and pianist and instrument creator, Joe Sanger, plus anyone else who happened to be passing.

Although rarg was properly conceived after Dan left Dartington, nevertheless these early experiments in avant-garde recording were blueprints for what came next. rarg actually came about as a result of two things. One was the wonderful animated film of the same name by Tony Collingwood, the other was as a result of Dan making at least one late night journey around Cardiff in the summer of 1998 trying to work out what the sounds were in his head, and if he could replicate them. It was around that time that Dan worked out that there was no reason why he and rarg could not co-exist as the same artist, playing in cabaret bands one night and writing mind-fucking ambient noise and avant-garde pop the next, and all the while writing songs, recording and playing keyboards for Smokehand.

rarg lay dormant for many years, lurking at the back of Dan's mind, until in 2002 he managed to afford a computer and some recording equipment. Within six months, the first rarg tunes were created, going way beyond the original plan for avant-garde pop, and into realms of electronica and industrial music inspired by Aphex Twin, Leafcutter John and Coil. Since then, he has used the influence of working as rarg to create scores for theatre and film, as well as composing material for himself. Amongst the theatre companies he has composed for are Tin-Pot Productions and the New Writers Company.

In 2002, rarg (as Dan) appeared on Thighpaulsandra's legendary album,'Double Vulgar' singing on the title track and 'Slammer'.

2003-2004 saw rarg's alter-ego take part in the creation of Smokehand's debut album, 'The Last Train', as songwriter, vocalist, playing keyboards and arranging orchestration. It is due out on October 31st 2005.

rarg is aided and abetted by the lovely Meiliung, he records in his own studio (The Orange Room), and they live together in Bristol. He is currently in the middle of completing the fourth rarg album, rarg.4