THE SMUGGLERS REUNITE FOR A TORONTO SHOW TO LAUNCH LEAD-SINGER, AUTHOR, AND BROADCASTER GRANT LAWRENCE’S NEW MEMOIR, DIRTY WINDSHIELDS : THE BEST AND THE WORST OF THE SMUGGLERS TOUR DIARIES
THE SMUGGLERS LIVE AT THE HORSESHOE TAVERN, JUNE 16, WITH DUOTANG, NEEDLES // PINS, AND THE NEW ENCHANTERS. TICKETS ON SALE NOW
WATCH AND SHARE THE SMUGGLERS “ESPECIALLY YOU” HERE
DIRTY WINDSHIELDS SET FOR RELEASE IN MAY VIA DOUGLAS & MCINTYRE
EARLY PRAISE FOR DIRTY WINDSHIELDS:
“Told with equal parts pride and shame, this uproarious chronicle is the perfect companion to the band’s mega-fun music.” - Ira Robbins, NYC Rock Writer (Rolling Stone, Village Voice, Creem, Trouser Press)
“Dirty Windshields should come with a disclaimer: ‘WARNING: may induce feelings of wanderlust and the itching desire to throw a guitar case into a van and hit the road.” - Will Ferguson, Giller Prize Winner
“I can’t imagine a more perfect rock ‘n’ roll book.” – Tyler Bancroft (Said The Whale)
“An epic tale told by one of rock ‘n’ roll’s greatest storytellers.” – Lisa Marr (Cub)
“Fucking hilarious and a joy to read.” – Allison Robertson (The Donnas)
“Pure teenage rawk angst!” – Nardwuar
PHOTO CREDIT : Aaron Rubin // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES
One of Canada's all-time legendary live bands is reuniting to play one of Canada's all-time legendary live venues - June 16 at the Horseshoe Tavern. One night only. Tickets are available to purchase here today.
The Smugglers will play their first Toronto show in over 13 years. The reason for the reunion gig is simple: lead singer, author, and broadcaster Grant Lawrence is finally releasing his memoirs of his hard-charging, international touring years, entitled Dirty Windshields: The Best And The Worst Of The Smugglers Tour Diaries, due out in May from Douglas and McIntyre.
“I’ve been working on this book on and off for over ten years. It’s been a huge labour of love. Reading through and shaping my old tour diaries into a book has been both rewarding and embarrassing, much like my career with the Smugglers,” Lawrence jokes.
“I hoped we’d do a Toronto gig to launch the book, and the Horseshoe Tavern was the natural choice. It’s not only one of our favourite places and a historic musical landmark, but a club that holds a special place in our hearts for supporting us very early on. We did a string of New Year's Eve gigs at the 'Shoe that we'll never forget."
Joining the Smugglers at the Horseshoe will be Mint Records label mates past and present, including Needles//Pins from Vancouver and old friends Duotang from Winnipeg. “The first time we ever performed at the Horseshoe, Duotang played with us, so it's pretty cool to have them on the show more than 20 years later." Also on the bill is the New Enchanters, featuring Classy Craig Daniels of the Leather Uppers.
MORE ABOUT GRANT LAWRENCE
Grant Lawrence is an award-winning author, CBC personality, singer, and columnist. His new book, Dirty Windshields, is his third. His previous books are Adventures In Solitude (Harbour Publishing, 2010) and The Lonely End of the Rink (Douglas & McIntyre, 2013). At the CBC, Grant is known mostly for his work with the groundbreaking Radio 3 and their championing of Canadian independent music. Previously, he worked as an indie label publicist and as a concert promoter. At age 19, he co-promoted one of the Commodore Ballroom’s most legendary shows: the Screaming Trees, Nirvana, the Doughboys and the Wongs in 1991. Grant is the lead singer of the Smugglers and the goalie for the Flying Vees beer league hockey team. He is married to musician Jill Barber and they live in Vancouver, BC, with their two children.
MORE ABOUT THE SMUGGLERS
Formed when most of the members were still in high school in West Vancouver, The Smugglers came of age during the grunge explosion, and came into their own in the pop-punk heyday of the mid-1990s while on Mint Records in Canada Lookout Records in the USA. Releasing eight albums over the years of 1988-2004, the band's booze-fuelled, sweaty, and famously energetic live shows (complete with dancing and kissing contests) took them across Canada, the USA, Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Along the way, the "Canadian Ambassadors of Rock 'n' Roll" collided with the Hives, Mudhoney, the Queers, Supersnazz, Fugazi, the Dwarves, thee Headcoats, the Mr. T Experience, the Mummies and many more.
