John Heitzenrater: Electric Guitar, Basoon & Sarod on Sirius Matter
Steve Hatch: Electric Guitar on Tarth Shooke & 2 songs on Sirius Matter
Influences
Frank Zappa, King Crimson, Steps Ahead, Gentle Giant, Miles Davis, Massacre, Brand X, Material, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Rush, John Cage, Mozart, John Scofield, Genesis, Pink Floyd, Yes, Dixie Dregs, Fracture, Daily Planet, Freehand
Sounds Like
"Smokin' Granny's third release is a euphoric collection of instrumental progressive rock, fusion, and live- in- the -studio improvisations that will leave the listener in awe of the sheer synergy that these players have together. Recalling the eclectic nature of vintage Frank Zappa, and the furious interplay of King Crimson, Smokin' Granny have conjured up a strong successor to their last project, Sirius Matter."
- Sea of Tranquility
DISCOGRAPHY OF Smokin' Granny
1997 "Live from the Bat Cave", cassette release
1999 "Sirius Matter", studio CD
2000 Moonchild Compilation
2001 "Tarth Shooke", studio CD
2001 ProgDay Encore compilation CD, 7 songs from Smokin' Granny's performance at ProgDay '97
Smokin' Granny is sparked deeply with improvisation but within an exploratory rock context. SG's only mission is to create original music without regard for commercial or critical factors.
History of Smokin' Granny
Originally formed loosely around 1993 from the simmering ashes of previous bands Good Neighbors (Anubis Leisure Society Orchestra) and Freehand, the core trio of Barbee, Lindsey, and Preston (who have played together in various bands for ~20 years) added David Oskardmay to continue the evolutionary process of their music. The band wrote & performed as a quartet until John Heitzenrater, a very talented multi-instrumentalist, joined for their first studio recordings that eventually was released as Sirius Matter in 1999. After Heitzenrater moved to LA to pursue further music education, Steve Hatch (Volare') was added on electric guitar and recorded with the band on both Sirius Matter and Tarth Shooke (2001). Several other guest musicians have performed with the band including Ben Mullen on electric guitar, and Ted Johnson (The Usual Suspects) who played keyboards on Mr. Piperson's Revenge and Bone Dust on Smokin' Granny's 2003 Equilibrium.
Band Update (5/2007):
Smokin' Granny is in semi-retirement while we ponder the universe through multiple side projects... Brian is playing in Onomata and Groove Stream Attractor as well as acoustic guitar craft duo work with David Oskardmay working under the name "Circle of Willis."
Jeff is playing in various bands: Kitty Box and the Johnny's, fronted by Taz Halloween, and The Nerve.
Todd is still playing in Onomata.
David is playing and writing with Circle of Willis and has also founded the BitWorks Music distribution label, making downloads available from various artists. www.bitworksmusic.com
Steve Hatch is living in London and is writing music.
John Heitzenrater plays and teaches classical Indian music in North Carolina.
We'll see what the future holds...
Looking back on the ol' tunes, one thing that stands out is the production. Charles Jones put some special sauce into the mix. Must be those jedi powers.
Hii Smokin Granny!!!! Thank you very much really it..s all pleasure for me. You..re dynamite jejejeje your music is Excelent !!!! it..s great music... we..re in contact.
Thanks for the add guys Your music sounds great I'm so jealous ! I'm stuck in Boise where they think the Dead is the best ever Somebody please shoot me
