The Bushpilots

The Bushpilots - est. 2002
Akin to a ‘65 Chevy pickup with Ontario plates careening down a series of mountain switchbacks with no brakes, and making it to the bottom unscathed, The Bushpilots are in their seventh year of burning up stages in Eastern Canada with their particular brand of barnstorming rock and roll.
Their rootsy yet edgy sound is at home at blues, roots and alternative clubs alike. From The Rainbow, Zaphod Beeblebrox, Barrymore's and the Black Sheep in Ottawa, to Toronto venues the Cadillac Lounge and Jeff Healey’s Nightclub (an invitation garnered after Healey himself sat in with the boys at the Rainbow), the Bushpilots have established appeal with a wide ranging audience with their fast paced and seamless marathon rock and roll shows, and the right mix of kicked in the heart ballads, by which the band distinguished themselves in their first festival appearance at the world renowned Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest in July 2008.
Formed in May 2002 by veteran Ottawa musicians, wearing on their collective sleeves roots rock, punk and even a bit of country influence, the Bushpilots experienced a few personnel changes until September 2003, when Kevin Smith joined original members Jeff Monette, Tom Gillon and Rob Bennett. In August 2008, keyboardist Tom Pechloff was added to the band lineup that had gone unchanged for five years.
The Bushpilots have evolved into a take-no-prisoners live rock juggernaut that often teeters on the brink of chaos without completely falling apart. Bottom line: the shows are a load of fun.
The model for this chaos is Neil Young and Crazy Horse, with some Dylan, Springsteen, Steve Earle and the Georgia Satellites, and while we’re at it, throw in The Clash, Rolling Stones and 60's garage rock influences for good measure.
The band's debut, Sonic Scenery, was proudly recorded in 16 track analog by Juno nomintated producer Dave Draves (Howe Gelb, Kathleen Edwards) at Little Bullhorn Prods in Ottawa and was released to critical and popular acclaim in May, 2005. The raucous Fourteen Dollar Motel followed in May 2007 to even greater reception, also with Draves at the helm.
The Bushpilots have been embraced by college radio in central Canada and are a staple on Carleton University's 93.1 CKCU-FM.
“… a fine work of dusty country rock …” - Fateema Sayani, The Ottawa Citizen
“… the sort of album those who live for the sound of tube amps and turned-up guitars will tell you, they just don’t make ‘em like anymore.” - Allan Wigney, The Ottawa Sun
“Four stars" - Nathan Hunter, Ottawa Xpress
“Listening to The Bushpilots is like paying homage to some legendary songwriters. From the first crunching guitar chord and driving drum beat, it’s clear that the band has studied from the masters. The simple, honest and poetic stories that wind through the catchy melodies set the pace for modern classics.” -Stephen Abbott, www.projectopus.com
“...a mix of rock, country and something entirely their own.” -Devon Babin, Nepean This Week