Born of sultry songstress Tasha D and guitarist Mick Broome’s combined love of raw rock n roll and passionate music, Smoking Martha united with the help of like minded musos, Azz on rhythm guitar, Matty on Bass and Jordon on drums, one by one complementing their driving electric rock style.
The Aussie rockers released their 1st EP in 2014, recorded at Airlock Studios with Powderfinger’s Ian Haug in the producers seat. The self titled EP featured 5 scorching tracks including the first single “Sweet as Honey” which has had airplay on Rock radio shows worldwide along with killer reviews for the songs sexy and alluring music video.
Off the back of this success the dynamic 5 piece have been extremely busy out of the studio as well as in, having recently teamed up with producer “Matt Bartlem” (Jarryd James, Matt Corby, Dead letter Circus) to bring you their highly anticipated debut Album In Deep . With most bands you can probably pinpoint one or two musical references that seem to drive the music, with Smoking Martha things are not quite so straightforward. Although things drive along pretty much on a classic rock vibe or via a more visceral garage rock subversion, this is no mere rehashing of the past and whilst you can probably pick out many of the individual musical building blocks, what they have fashioned them into is a totally new piece of exquisite sonic architecture. Find a Way broods and glowers with gothic undertones, Ebb of the Tide bristles with high drama and shifting dynamics, and opening salvo So Lonely blends punky skanking guitars with foot on the monitor seminal rock sounds. And the more you peel back the more you find; blues grooves pushed to the extreme, theatrical excesses, grunge intensity, biker bar swagger and effortless attitude. Tasha D has a voice that demands attention. It’s a cross between Chrissie Hynde and Gwen Stefani, leaning more toward the Stefani side. The defining difference is that Tasha’s voice is lusher than Stefani’s, probably because it’s a bit deeper, like it has been steeped in rum. In short, Tasha D ranks somewhere in the Top 10 of The World’s Best Female Voices.
With incredible energetic stage presence from every member “Smoking Martha” have gained new fans far and wide as well as landing international and national supports with, Seether, Uriah Heep, Everclear, Dallas Fransca, Electric Mary and most recently with the original Cherry Bomb herself“Cherie Currie” from The Runaways.
The band has played many Australian iconic venues such as, Melbourne’s Corner Hotel, Cherry Bar, Yah Yah’s, Vineyard and Geelong’s Barwon club. Brisbane’s, Eaton’s Hill Hotel, The Triffid, The Hifi (Max Watts) The Tivoli, Crowbar, The Zoo, Gold Coast’s Coolangatta Hotel, Hard Rock Cafe, Miami tavern and Sydney’s famous Frankie’s Pizza. And are no strangers to local festivals including, Wallapalooza, The West End festival, Dead of Winter Festival + more.
Smoking Martha have been shaking success firmly by the throat for the last few years, with Tasha’s smoldering vocals and the bands captivating instrumental hooks, Fans have a lot to look forward to! The right band, the right sound, the right time.
Smoking Martha is a band looking for a bigger stage. The future of rock music isn’t just looking bright, it is positively smoking!