Akin to a ‘65 Chevy pickup with Ontario plates careening down a series of mountain switchbacks with no brakes, and making it to the bottom unscathed, The Bushpilots are in their sixth year of burning up stages in Eastern Canada with their particular brand of barnstorming rock and roll.
Their rootsy yet edgy sound is at home at blues, roots and alternative clubs alike. From The Rainbow, Zaphod Beeblebrox and Barrymore’s in Ottawa, to Toronto venues the Cadillac Lounge and Jeff Healey’s Nightclub (an invitation garnered after Healey himself sat in with the boys at the Rainbow), the Bushpilots have established appeal with a wide ranging audience with their fast paced and seamless marathon rock and roll shows, and the right mix of kicked in the heart ballads.
Formed in 2002 by veteran Ottawa musicians, wearing on their collective sleeves roots rock, alt.country and alternative influences, the Bushpilots experienced a few early changes until September 2003, when Kevin Smith joined original members Jeff Monette, Tom Gillon and Rob Bennett to complete the lineup.
What started as a country rock band has evolved into a take-no-prisoners live rock juggernaut that often teeters on the brink of chaos without completely falling apart. Bottom line: the shows are a load of fun.
The model for this chaos is Neil Young and Crazy Horse, with some Dylan, Springsteen, Steve Earle and the Georgia Satellites, and while we’re at it, throw in The Clash, Rolling Stones and 60's garage rock influences for good measure.
The band's debut, Sonic Scenery, was proudly recorded in 16 track analog by legendary producer Dave Draves at Little Bullhorn Prods in Ottawa and was released to critical and popular acclaim in May, 2005. The raucous Fourteen Dollar Motel followed in May 2007 to even greater reception, also with Draves at the helm.
The Bushpilots have been embraced by college radio in central Canada and are a staple on Carleton University's 93.1 CKCU-FM.
“… a fine work of dusty country rock …”
- Fateema Sayani, The Ottawa Citizen
“… the sort of album those who live for the sound of tube amps and turned-up guitars will tell you, they just don’t make ‘em like anymore.”
- Allan Wigney, The Ottawa Sun
“Four stars"
- Nathan Hunter, Ottawa Xpress
“Listening to The Bushpilots is like paying homage to some legendary songwriters. From the first crunching guitar chord and driving drum beat, it’s clear that the band has studied from the masters. The simple, honest and poetic stories that wind through the catchy melodies set the pace for modern classics.”
-Stephen Abbott, www.projectopus.com
Thanks for the cool comment the other week. Since I am so lazy, I am finally getting ya back! as always, we had a great time at Zaphods with you fella's, we must do that again sometime.
Hope to see ya at the AFTER BLUESFEST ROCK N ROLL SHINDIG on Saturday, July 7th at the NAVY CLUB.
Hey guys:
Hell of a show last weekend. Sorry it took me so long to comment, but I've been having computer problems all week, which are now solved. The album rocks! I love it.
can you only afford 14 dollars a night OR? Good tunes BP's keep rockin!! LA Woman comin out of retirement on June 2, 2007 at Lakeside Gardens, Britannia Park with new band "The Attachments" Rock on OR?
We're really scared to be playing with the Evil Farm Children at Irene's on Sat. April 28th. The evilness is just to fuckin' intense. Thanks for makin' it out to the Dom on March 31st.
Quick Fix is playing Club Saw in Ottawa on March 7th. We'd love it if you came to check us out. Ten bucks at the door, be there by 7. Check out our upcoming shows for more info.
Enjoy!
