Multi-instrumentalist and singer Jason NeSmith (pronounced "KNEE-smith," no relation to
Michael Nesmith of
the Monkees), began using the pseudonym Casper Fandango in 1996 as a moniker for his solo
four-track recordings. NeSmith was given the name by fellow Atlanta musician David Dault while playing together in the band Feyerabend. Casper Fandango released two
DIY cassettes in the late 1990s, originally as Casper Fandango & the Knees and subsequently Casper Fandango & His Tiny Sick Tears. The Cookies came into existence in 1998 as NeSmith's live band. They have three CDs released on
Happy Happy Birthday to Me Records,
Oh! (2004), ''The Optimist's Club
(2006), and Modern Silence'' (2009). NeSmith was a member of
Of Montreal for the
Satanic Panic in the Attic tour of 2004 and some of the
Sunlandic Twins tour of 2005, eventually leaving to focus on his own band. (Kay and Jason are also in
Supercluster, the side project of
Vanessa Briscoe Hay of
Pylon.) NeSmith has also been a member of
Kenny Howes & the Yeah!,
Orange Hat, the Visitations,
the Late BP Helium and
the Sunshine Fix. He also owns and operates a commercial recording facility, Bel*Air Studio. == Members ==