Smokin Pistols
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Smokin Pistols

Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada

Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Band Country Alternative

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Discography

Love in the Name of Murder (EP)
Scheduled Release: Summer 2009

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Bio

Smokin Pistols was formed on the mean streets of Lethbridge, Alberta in the summer of 2007. When original lead singer Derrick Mensch divorced and moved to Vancouver, BC, and original bass player Scott Tucker’s truck broke down following the death of his dog, taking him out of the race, drummer Scott Bartlett knew the band was destined for solid country gold ..

Reforming the Pistols in the summer of 2008, Scott (Ben Brown Trio [2008-present], Tim Hughes’ Canada touring band [2005], Lady Chamberlain [2004-06], Floating Axehead [1994-96]) took the reigns as the primary songwriter, on lead vocals and acoustic guitar. One day in a music shop, working on the chorus to “Dyin in the Rain” Bartlett was approached by Shael Pezderic (Rarity [2000-06], Granite Force [2006-present], Travezty [2007-08]) who said “that sounds good .. who is it?” Bartlett replied “that’s me son .. and you should play lead guitar..” Seeing things taking off, Bartlett re-acquired long time musical connection Steven “TP” Birss (The Learning Process [1997-04], Momento Mori [2000-present], the Gate [1998-present]) to play bass guitar, honky tonk piano and organ. The final nail in the coffin was when Bartlett witnessed the catastrophic breakup of a local punk band and knew it’s drummer, Ryan Labreque (Unnamed Project [2008-09], Open to Closure [2006-08], Corporate Conspiracy [2003-05]) would need a new home, on the run with some good old boys.

Smokin Pistols has been described by fans, bar owners, and even the media as “like an Old School Country band, but rougher and faster, putting on a rock and roll performance with some serious grunge attitude” .. A common theme running through fan remarks was summed up recently at a show in Claresholm, AB, “when bands come here I’m usually bored after the first set .. You had me the whole time; I actually hate country, but you guys make me half-ass respect it”. Smokin Pistols’ covers span three generations of outlaw country from the King of Country (Hank Williams, Sr) to Willie, Waylon & David Allan Coe, to the likes of Hank III and Shooter Jennings. Smokin Pistols original music combines lyrical elements of third-generation outlaw country, vamped up old-school sound and themes spanning everything from lost love, to heavy drinking, to murder.

Smokin Pistols first album, Love in the Name of Murder, is scheduled for a third quarter release.

Smokin Pistols is a hard-working blue collar band, who appreciate the business side of music as much as the music itself, Bartlett once said “Good music is important, but so is working with the venue, so is talking to the crowd during and after, you want to help people have a good time - because people having a good time stick around -- they eat, drink and spend .. then everyone wins.”