Saigon Hookers: “Loud, Lewd, Gritty and Overdriven”

The four above adjectives could be used to describe just about any punk rock band from the Sex Pistols to Green Day to Rancid, but these words actually come from the official website of the band known as the Saigon Hookers. Boasting perhaps one of the most comical band names around, the Hookers are a down and dirty three piece indie rock band originating from the town of Kitchener, Ontario intent on rekindling a classic conception of punk rock. Not only is the band’s music fast and furious, but so is their work ethic.

Despite all the recent attention the band has been receiving in the indie rock circuit, the band has only been together for slightly over one year. The Hookers, consisting of Tommy Smokes on guitar and vocals, Carmine A. Romano on bass and Feeney on drums, formed in the summer of 2005 in their hometown of Kitchener. Right away after forming, the band got right to work with writing music and performing live any place that would allow them to play. After barely a month of actually playing together as a band, the Hookers found themselves on an Eastern Canadian tour that helped start the buzz that now surrounds the group.

In the one year and a bit that the Hookers have been together, the band has played gigs at a remarkable rate, racking up over one hundred shows in a year. During this time, the band released its debut EP titled You’re The Deer, We’re The Headlights which featured five original songs along with four live bootleg recordings. And while it takes most indie bands years before they actually record a full length debut album, the Hookers have amazingly already accomplished this feat. The band’s debut disc, appropriately titled Hello Rock & Roll, is a ten song collection of pure, no nonsense, adrenaline pumping rock and roll music.

The album was recorded in a very short period of time with the help of producer Ian Blurton formerly the singer and guitarist for the band Change of Heart in the 1990s. Blurton has recently become the go-to producer for Canadian indie rock bands as he has also produced records for The Lowest of the Low, The Illuminati and The Weakerthans. Blurton was instrumental in helping the Hookers hone their sound on Hello Rock & Roll, helping create a blues-based, high energy punk rock record.

Currently, The Saigon Hookers find themselves among the top echelon of indie rock music in Canada. The band has made remarkable strides in its eighteen month existence and seems to be well on their way to a major label record deal. Expect to see the group in and around Ontario for well into the year 2007 as they continue to tirelessly promote Hello Rock & Roll. If you long for the days of hard, fast-paced rock and roll music with a punk twist, then be sure to check out the Saigon Hookers, playing anywhere and everywhere they’re allowed to.