Ask any longtime disciple of Smilin’ Myron for a critique of the band, and what generally follows is a proclamation that this unit is one of the tightest in town, but boy, it used to suck big time.

At a weeknight practice not long ago, the members of Smilin’ Myron greet this observation with an uneasy laugh.

“That was before I got in the band,” offers bassist Kirk Branch.

But then the anecdotes come to light: percussionist Michael Skinkus purchased his first set of bongos the day of ...