WOOLLY BANDITS BIO - 2009
Hailing from California’s Inland Empire, the Woolly Bandits combine the psychedelic groove of the Seeds, the fun sound of Shindig-era rock ‘n’ roll, and the sonic boom of garage rock. The Bandits were formed from the nucleus of the late Sky Saxon’s backup band by bass player Rik Collins. Rik and the other members of Sky’s band toured with him throughout Europe in the early 2000s. When fans and music biz people alike lauded the young band’s chops, they struck out on their own. And they even got their name because of Sky. Seems one of his girlfriends referred to Sky as a “woolly bandit.” The band loved the moniker and “The Woolly Bandits” were born!
Woman of Mass Destruction, their debut CD with Citation Records, combines all the elements people love about unabashed rock ‘n’ roll. With songs including the X inspired Devil Doll Stare, the sassy Cambodia Girl, the thrash ride of Devil’s On My Back; the band puts a spin on the tried and true garage rock formula with every tune. Add a retro organ sound, a dollop of surf guitar and there’s enough flavor to distinguish the Bandits from the pack.
Collins managed and booked the band throughout its formative years. The Bandits toured and released their first CD, Say Hello to My Little Friend, in 2005. After the band’s original lineup parted ways, fate intervened and the current Bandits lineup crystallized when Rik first worked with lead singer Christa. The band initially hired Christa to sing backup vocals, and after the recording session, it was obvious the Bandits had lucked out in the vocalist department. Rik tells a story about walking home from a club that night in L.A.’s Skid Row.
“We went to a party (that night) and to get back to her house from the party we had to go through Skid Row. Her friend asked her to sing “Crazy” the Patsy Cline/Willie Nelson song. She started singing and all of Skid Row got really quiet. She sang the whole song as we strolled down Skid Row, and everybody erupted in applause.”
After Christa became lead singer, the rest of the lineup fell into place. Johnny “Keys” Langdon joined on Farsia ,Fender Rhodes, Jaguar and piano along with guitarist Tracy “Skull” Garcia. Drummer Rikki Styx was recruited via a mutual friend just in time for a slew of live shows.
In 2008, The Bandits were hand-picked by the Damned to open their shows in West Hollywood and Orange County. The band has played to enthusiastic audiences throughout Southern California and the Western U.S. Citation Records president Bobby Hanson heard a demo tape, and signed the band in April 2009.
The Woolly Bandits are currently on tour in support of Woman of Mass Destruction, performing in the Western U.S. throughout the summer and touring Europe later this year and into 2010. Be sure to catch them on tour. With a high energy stage show, (and sometimes surprise guest go-go dancers) there’s always something going on musically and visually.
For booking and more information, go to:
http://www.myspace.com/woollybandits
http://www.facebook.com/woolly.bandits
Hailing from California’s Inland Empire, the Woolly Bandits combine the psychedelic groove of the Seeds, the fun sound of Shindig-era rock ‘n’ roll, and the sonic boom of garage rock. The Bandits were formed from the nucleus of the late Sky Saxon’s backup band by bass player Rik Collins. Rik and the other members of Sky’s band toured with him throughout Europe in the early 2000s. When fans and music biz people alike lauded the young band’s chops, they struck out on their own. And they even got their name because of Sky. Seems one of his girlfriends referred to Sky as a “woolly bandit.” The band loved the moniker and “The Woolly Bandits” were born!
Woman of Mass Destruction, their debut CD with Citation Records, combines all the elements people love about unabashed rock ‘n’ roll. With songs including the X inspired Devil Doll Stare, the sassy Cambodia Girl, the thrash ride of Devil’s On My Back; the band puts a spin on the tried and true garage rock formula with every tune. Add a retro organ sound, a dollop of surf guitar and there’s enough flavor to distinguish the Bandits from the pack.
Collins managed and booked the band throughout its formative years. The Bandits toured and released their first CD, Say Hello to My Little Friend, in 2005. After the band’s original lineup parted ways, fate intervened and the current Bandits lineup crystallized when Rik first worked with lead singer Christa. The band initially hired Christa to sing backup vocals, and after the recording session, it was obvious the Bandits had lucked out in the vocalist department. Rik tells a story about walking home from a club that night in L.A.’s Skid Row.
“We went to a party (that night) and to get back to her house from the party we had to go through Skid Row. Her friend asked her to sing “Crazy” the Patsy Cline/Willie Nelson song. She started singing and all of Skid Row got really quiet. She sang the whole song as we strolled down Skid Row, and everybody erupted in applause.”
After Christa became lead singer, the rest of the lineup fell into place. Johnny “Keys” Langdon joined on Farsia ,Fender Rhodes, Jaguar and piano along with guitarist Tracy “Skull” Garcia. Drummer Rikki Styx was recruited via a mutual friend just in time for a slew of live shows.
In 2008, The Bandits were hand-picked by the Damned to open their shows in West Hollywood and Orange County. The band has played to enthusiastic audiences throughout Southern California and the Western U.S. Citation Records president Bobby Hanson heard a demo tape, and signed the band in April 2009.
The Woolly Bandits are currently on tour in support of Woman of Mass Destruction, performing in the Western U.S. throughout the summer and touring Europe later this year and into 2010. Be sure to catch them on tour. With a high energy stage show, (and sometimes surprise guest go-go dancers) there’s always something going on musically and visually.
For booking and more information, go to:
http://www.myspace.com/woollybandits
http://www.facebook.com/woolly.bandits