In the relentless churn of the East Bay punk scene, few bands have the pedigree and tenacity of SMOKERS. This Oakland-based outfit has just unleashed their debut LP, The Rat That Gnawed the Rope, through the revered local label, Mouth Magazine Records. The 15-track juggernaut has recently dropped on vinyl and digitally.
Rooted in the gritty, no-frills ethos of bands like The Stranglers, Minutemen, and early Replacements, SMOKERS channel a raw, visceral energy that feels both timeless and immediate. Their lineup boasts seasoned veterans: Andy Asp (Nuisance, The Pattern), Cyrus Comiskey (Black Fork, Drunk Horse), Jim Nastic (Talk is Poison, Year Future), and Omen Starr (St. James Infirmary). Together, they’ve forged a sound that’s as relentless as their tour schedule, having crisscrossed the West Coast for years.
The album’s genesis took place at the historic El Studio in San Francisco, a fittingly gritty locale for the band’s aesthetic. Engineered by Phil Becker (Pins of Light, Big Business), the sessions were intense but swift, capturing the band’s live-wire energy. Vocalist and guitarist Andy Asp recalls the setting fondly: "It's in a pretty dodgy neighborhood, but it turned out to be perfect for us. Even though the deli across the street was a custom dog food butcher, we found a BevMo nearby that kept us fueled."
El Studio, rumored to be the recording site of The Melvins’ legendary Ozma, provided a unique backdrop. The space’s history seeped into the tracks, especially with the addition of a vintage Hammond organ on the opening track, 'The Irish Tenor'. Despite a COVID-19 scare derailing an earlier session, SMOKERS regrouped and completed the basic tracks in a single day, thanks to Becker's deft handling.
After laying down the basics at El Studio, SMOKERS retreated to Tuff Bunker in Oakland to finish overdubs. Becker’s mixing and Skot Brown’s (Phantom Limbs) mastering polished the raw recordings into a cohesive album. Former Lookout! Records chief Chris Appelgren contributed to the album's jacket layout, giving it a final touch of East Bay authenticity.
Highlights from the album include the propulsive 'The Irish Tenor', the anthemic 'East of Oakland', and the introspective 'The Strand'. For fans of garage rock, East Bay punk, pub rock, and vintage street rock, The Rat That Gnawed the Rope is a potent dose of pure, unadulterated punk energy.
SMOKERS, who have shared stages with heavyweights like The Avengers, Jawbreaker, Samiam, Subhumans, and Murder City Devils, are now gearing up to bring their ferocious live act back to the clubs. This debut album not only solidifies their place in the pantheon of East Bay punk but also promises a blistering future ahead.
D I S C O V E R
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/smokers_music
Bandcamp: https://smokers.bandcamp.com/