The Smugglers

The Smugglers

The Smugglers are a Canadian garage-punk and rock and roll group from Vancouver, British Columbia. They form in 1989 and remain active until 2004. The band forms at Hillside Secondary School in West Vancouver, where five teenage friends begin playing together under a name given to them by their school friend Nardwuar The Human Serviette.

Sound and early identity

The Smugglers develop around a raw garage-rock sound shaped by the Sonics, the Cramps and the Rolling Stones. Their early image is tied to beer, hashish and teenage underground rock culture, and they become known for loud, rough-edged records and performances.

Recordings and labels

Over the course of their career, The Smugglers release work through a range of independent labels. These include Nardwuar Records in Vancouver, PopLlama Products in Seattle and Mint Records in Vancouver. Material from Mint is also licensed internationally through Lookout Records in Berkeley, 1+2 Records in Tokyo, Corduroy Records in Australia and Imposible Records in Spain.

The band releases eight full-length albums, along with several singles, EPs and compilation tracks. Their records include At Marineland (1991), Atlanta Whiskey Flats (1992), In The Hall Of Fame (1993), Wet Pants Club (1994), Selling The Sizzle (1996), Buddy Holly Convention (1997), Growing Up Smuggler (1998), Rosie (2000) and Mutiny In Stereo, which is self-produced.

Production and line-up

The Smugglers work with several producers during their recording career, including Conrad Uno, Mass Giorgini and Kurt Bloch. Conrad Uno produces At Marineland, Atlanta Whiskey Flats, In The Hall Of Fame and Wet Pants Club; Mass Giorgini produces Selling The Sizzle; and Kurt Bloch produces Buddy Holly Convention, Growing Up Smuggler and Rosie.

The group’s members are Bryce Dunn, Kevin Beesley-Hammond, David Carswell, Grant Lawrence, Nick Thomas and Graham Watson.