the Stone Merchants
folk roots rock

After recording two albums and performing under the name SMAC for the past two years, the Stone Merchants are back !  The band still features the lead vocals of Al Brant (12 -string guitar) & Tom Roschkov (electric & acoustic guitars), with Tom occasionally adding djembe to the long-time rhythm section of drummer Kelly Pikula and John Armstrong on bass.  John is also bringing some Theremin playing, looping and a bit of electronica into the band these days.

Due to other commitments and travel plans, didgeridoo player Vinnie Sanregret will be limiting his playing with the band.  And Eddie Patterson is still residing in Ontario.  As both players have been an integral part of the sounds recorded by SMAC, the remaining group members have decided to return to their long-time moniker, the Stone Merchants.

Under either name, the group often performs with a variety of feature soloists and special guests including:

Kevin Cook- guitar & vocals

Cam Neufeld - fiddle
Brett Miles - sax, flute, keys and congas
Ken Jans - percussion and vocals

Wendy McNeill - accordian, vocals

The Stone Merchants CD, "have another blue juice, mister," was recorded and released in 2001 and showcases the varied talents of this diverse collection of musicians.   Other recordings by the Stone Merchants include the limited release "Live in the Living Room" from 2000 and a self-titled collection of various studio sessions from the '90's.

---

Stone Merchants' History

The three original members of the Stone Merchants (Al, John & Kelly) first played together as the Al Brant Band, with Eddie Patterson on lead guitar. After the release of the album, “Let it Fly” in 1991, Eddie left the band and returned to Ontario, where he taught guitar and played for the next 7 years.  When Stuart Eiriksson joined as the new guitarist, the band's name was changed to The Stone Merchants.   In 1994, Al Brant left the band to focus on his solo career. John, Kelly and Stuart formed Naked Ape and spent the next few years playing in the bars of small town Alberta.

In the spring of 1998, John and Tom Roschkov were hosting the 3rd annual Old Strathcona Singer / Songwriter Competition and Al was booked in as a special guest on the evening of the grand finals. On short notice, the original Stone Merchants had two quick rehearsals with Tom on lead guitar. The reunion performance on May 17th was received so well that the band continued to perform sporadically  throughout 1998 and 1999.

Original guitarist, Eddie Patterson returned to Edmonton in July of 1999 and recorded 2 albums with the group before his departure back to Ontario in August of 2002.  Ed has continued to work with the band by flying out for recording sessions with SMAC and special performances.

The Stone Merchants may contacted through Brass Monkey
john@brassmonkeyproductions.com

---

The music, lyrics, images and logos contained in this web site are the property of the artists credited.
All rights reserved.