The Smugglers

Members: David Carswell: Guitar, Vocals
Grant Lawrence: Vocals
Nick Thomas: Guitar, Vocals
Beez: Bass, Backing Vocals
Graham Watson: Drums

Yup, it's time. Time for one of the longest lasting, most energized and entertaining bands to take centre stage once again. The time is now for The Smugglers, Canada's greatest ambassadors of rock 'n'roll music, to return with the attack-release of the new album "Rosie". The Smugglers weren't supposed to make it out of their parents' basement, let alone into the year 2000, but here they are, ready to rock and never stop.

The Smugglers formed in 1988 at Hillside Secondary School in West Vancouver, BC, Canada. Heavily under the influence of Black Label beer (nicknamed "Rosie"), and the raw rock'n'roll sounds of the Sonics, the Cramps and the Stones at the time, the five sixteen year olds were dubbed "The Smugglers" by their high school buddy Nardwuar, The Human Serviette. From their ugly beginnings in church basements, malls and warehouses, the band slowly grew up to weld their influences of sharp punk and rock'n'roll into a wildly energetic show all their own. The Smugglers took their sweat, suits and boots on the road and, twelve years later and still in their mid-twenties, continue to tour to every pocket of North America, as well as sojourns into the uncharted wilds of Japan, Europe, Australia and beyond.

The Smugglers live show is a legendary tour de force of energy and charimsa, involving wild antics and audience participation with such now-beloved stunts as the dance contest (complete with a trophy to the winner), kissing contests, and Smugglers "dream dates".

The Smugglers have been fortunate enough to share the stage with other such noteable peers as the Donnas, the Mr. T Experience, the Queers, Rocket From The Crypt, Fugazi, Southern Culture On The Skids, NoMeansNo, The Gruesomes, the Young Fresh Fellows, Fastbacks, and many more. Over the years, The Smugglers have amassed an incredible and hilarious collection of tell-all tour diaries, which are infamous with fans. The tour diaries are available for all to read uneditied on the web. One young fan once confessed to lead singer Grant Lawrence that the tour diaries "taught her everything" she knows about sex! Ouch!

Over their twelve year-and-counting career, The Smugglers have bounced from label to label, always independent. From Vancouver's Nardwuar Records, to Seattle's PopLlama Products, back to Vancouver's Mint Records, and then to Berkeley, California's Lookout Records (the Smugglers are the only Canadian band signed to Lookout Records), The Smugglers have amassed a mighty seven albums and several singles, EPs and compilation tracks worth of young, loud and snotty vinyl and CDs. Releases have appeared in such far reaching countries as Italy, Spain, Germany, Japan, Australia and the Island of Tnuc-Tnuc.

The Smugglers have always been lucky enough to work with great producers including Conrad Uno ("At Marineland" 1991, "Atlanta Whiskey Flats" 1992, "In The Hall Of Fame" 1993, "Wet Pants Club" 1994), Mass Giorgini ("Selling The Sizzle" 1996) and Kurt Bloch ("Buddy Holly Convention" 1997, "Growing Up Smuggler" 1998, "Rosie" 2000). With the entrance of the new century and the arrival of The Smugglers new album "Rosie", LOOKOUT!