Lethbridge outlaw country group The Coal Creek Boys’ third full length album, “Out West” sold out in a month.
They are in great company on their new Dallas, Texas based record label Classic Waxxx  for which their only other artists are country legend Johnny Cash and blues icon Lightnin’ Hopkins.

 Granted there was a limited pressing of their first release on , however through them  the band has spread their music all over the United States, Canada and  Europe.

 The record has been a departure for the band as the music is sparse, stripped down and raw which highlights  the band’s interest in Canadian and American history.

“ It needed to be released on vinyl. It sounds better on vinyl,” said frontman/ guitarist John Paul Smith, who wrote and recorded ‘Out West with  multi-instrumentalist/ songwriting partner Dino Scavo.
“It’s really beautiful. We wanted a record that would be really  honest and naked,” he said,
“ We recorded it in the old, 100 year old United Church downtown. We wanted to capture the room and I think it worked,” Smith said.

 Bryan Bradfield added dobro on a couple tracks while Scavo added accordion and drums on two tracks.
 While the band doesn’t play a lot in Lethbridge bar scene, though they were at the Casino Lethbridge a couple weekends ago, they play all of the big music festival all over the country.

The first full week of July is going to be loud. Not only will Street Machine weekend dominate downtown, roaring through the streets, but Backstreet South features live music so you can listen while you watch the custom cars.

Local rock band Fast Times rock Backstreet South, July 10. Backstreet also has an eclectic line up on July 11 featuring everything from dance to rock music including Gray Area, DJ Millz Skillz and rock bands Friends Over Fame and the Silkstones.

 But before that there are several exceptional mid-week shows beginning Wednesday, July 8.
 There are a couple big punk and metal shows at Inferno with Vancouver thrash metal band Golers, Revenge of the Inbred Militia and Calgary’s X-Ray Cat playing July 8. Tickets are $8 in advance, $13 at the door.

The next day Toronto based doom metal trio IRN rock Inferno, July 9 with guests. The first band starts at 8:45. There is five dollar cover.

Over at the Slice, Carolyn Mark and her new best friends return to play her quirky brand of alt country music. Admission is $10.

 If you want to laugh, the Owl Acoustic Lounge feature their ever popular comedy open mic, July 8.

Lethbridge's favourite organ powered, Vancouver based rock band Bend Sinister return to the Slice the next day, July 9 with new music and a new horn player. And as a special bonus Calgary bass and drums rock duo High Kicks will join the fun. Tickets are $15

Vancouver organ powered ’70s style Bend Sinister are taking it a little easier this summer.

“We’re writing more and getting ready to record a new album” said Bend Sinister guitarist Joseph Blood, who brings the band to the Slice, July 9 with Calgary duo High Kicks.

“So this summer is a lot quieter than it usually is,” Blood said, noting they have a couple bigger summer festivals including The Tall Trees Music Festival in Port Renfrew B.C. on Vancouver Island, with fellow Vancouverites Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer and  a bigger festival in  Sylvan Lake with heavyweights like Our Lady Peace.

While the band isn’t playing as many  festivals as usual, they have some key appearance  at Artswells and another festival where they play with Platinum Blonde.

“ We’re playing for or five days then home for a week, so we ’re spending a lot of our time in our rehearsal space,” he said.

 In addition to writing  as a band, they are also working with other musicians including The Gay Nineties as well as Hedley drummer Chris Crippin plus the Mounties, Hawksley Workman’s new trio which also features Hot Hot Heat’s Steve Bays and Limblifter's Ryan Dahle.
“Steve is from Vancouver,” he said.

They are also working in new band member Kristy Lee Audette.

“ She plays trumpet and synth and sings. She’s a perfect fit,” Blood said.

 It is always a treat to see Victoria based songstress Carolyn Mark.
 She and her brand new best friends will be playing the Slice, July 8.

“I’m pretty hard on my boys, so I need a good sized supply of new best friends. I don’t want to burn them out, so when I’m all done with them they need to get jobs,” she chuckled from Toronto, where she is finishing an Eastern Canadian tour.

“I have some Ontarians and Victorians with me. So I have to leave the Ontarians here fly back to Victoria, pick up the van and some more Victorians come and see you guys,” she enthused, checking her schedule to see which of her new best friends will be joining her in Lethbridge.

 She will be joined by guitarist Joel Fernandes, Sloan keyboardist Greg MacDonald who will be playing drums with her and bassist Terri Upton, who used to play with Victoria roots trio the Gruff.