THE SMOKEBOSS MILITIA Brings A Raw and Rollicking Sound On 1st Album ‘Rise Again’

December 13, 2023 Eugene Tierney

The Smokeboss Militia blend blues, acoustic rock, and alt country with 13-piece band.

Their debut album ‘Rise Again’ is out now.

Andy “The Smokeboss” Mensing, the well-known rhythm guitar player of San Diego punk outfit Rat City Riot, has just announced his new project, and surprisingly it’s not punk. More loyal to the almighty groove than a single genre, The Smokeboss Militia is a raw and rollicking blues, acoustic rock and alternative country band, set to release their first album, Rise Again, in December.

Whilst it may surprise Rat City Riot fans that the band’s next venture is a 13-piece near orchestra dedicated to blues and outsider folk, they’re actually somewhat returning to their roots. Rise Again is a definitive project record boasting a special guest list includes some of the various musical greats Andy befriended throughout his colorful musical journey. Before Rat City, Mensing was in many other groups that played and twisted many genres . Now based in Palm Beach County, Florida, Mensing’s teamed up with his troupe to bring his songs to life with the same energy he brought to punk.

It stands to be mentioned that there are quite a few similarities between punk and blues, both in terms of technique and message. Rat City Riot fans who would deign listen to The Smokeboss Militia would easily be able to see the similarities in Mensing’s vocals, guitar work and composition. The style is still there, and it’s unmistakable

With an excellent ensemble to weave the folksy, bluesy story contained within, Rise Again is proof that americana is still fun when applied correctly. With a raucous intro track “Ain’t It Just Like You,” the band launches the listener into the Militia’s genre-fusing world. The album winds through the melodic, Stevie Ray Vaughn-meets-Willie Nelson tones of “Crush” and “Danglin'” to the more rock-heavy “No Girlfriend,” to the uplifting and politically-tinged “Rise Again” and back out the other end of punk influence with “Wholeheartedly Divided,” creating a musical journey that’s as interesting as it is fun to listen to, and reflects the creative journey of Mensing himself.

It’s hard to sum up. It’s a collection of songs I wrote over many years. So it covers a lot of ground and goes in a lot of different directions. It’s a really fun blend of many artists, genres and styles that hopefully takes the listener (on) an amazing ride. I think I can safely say there’s something for everyone here, or at least that is the intention.

With that genre-melding trip, The Smokeboss Militia and Rise Again invite listeners to come along for the ride, even if it’s the unexpected ride from punk to blues and points well beyond. Fans of both genres and all those in between will enjoy this creation, due out on December 5th.

Stream the album on Spotify.

More Info:
Artist Name: The Smokeboss Militia
Location: Lake Worth, FL
Release Title: Rise Again
Release Date: 12/05/2023
Label: Independent
Producer Name(s): Andy Mensing
Genre(s): Multi-genre, Rock, Blues, Alt-Country, Bluegrass, Funk, Americana, Singer/Songwriter

Musician Names/Instruments:

Andy Mensing (The Smokeboss) – vocals, acoustic guitars, bass on tracks 3,8,11,12,14
Lucia Hare-Leahy (Shash) – vocals, banjo, dojo, mandolin
Bill Meredith – drums and percussion
Arturo Afanador – bass on tracks 1,2,4,5,7,9,13
Jeffrey ‘The Viper’ Sullivan – lead guitar on tracks 3,13
Georgette ‘Jet’ Afanador – acordion
John Ace – fiddle, mandolin
Vlada Barlow – violin, backing vocals
Michelle Pennington – backing vocals
Cleaveland Frederick – bass on tracks 6,10
Ritchie Orduño – lead guitar on tracks 1,2,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
Peter Levin – piano, organ and clav on tracks 1,3,4,7,8,9,11,14
Roger Rivas – piano, organ on tracks 2,5,6,10

Tracklist:

Ain’t It Just Like You
No Girlfriend
Danglin’
I’m Out
Crush
Misunderstood
Trusted
No One Said
Glad You Came
Rise Again
Extended Leave
Whole Heartedly Divided

Press Quotes:
“The militia that’s never hated, well rated, but maybe not well regulated. If you like good times, and good music you won’t want to miss the electric, genre defying Smokeboss Militia coming to Canyon for the next free show March 18.” – Canyon Amphitheater

“You can listen to his eclectic set in Brno and Olomouc at the end of this week, because even though he is, according to his own words, a punk at heart and soul, he has always refused to limit himself to this genre of music and draws inspiration for his music from classic rock and jazz , country, or Irish folk. And anyone who knows Andy knows that he is also a sociable and very cheerful person, so you will not only have a musical experience, but also a decent firework, and what more could you wish for?!” – Dusan Hornak, Kids and Heroes

“IN HONOR OF ANDY “SMOKEBOSS” MENSING’S AWESOME MUSIC & CAREER, WE PROUDLY OFFER SMOKEBOSS HOT SAUCE. PACKED WITH SPICE & FLAVOR, THIS SAUCE INCORPORATES THE RICH TASTES OF CAYENNE PEPPER, SMOKED CHIPOTLE, AND PAPRIKA. SMOKEBOSS IS SO DELICIOUS, YOU’LL BE SCREAMING FOR AN ENCORE!” – Daniel Michael Urbaetis, Semper Fry

“Based in Ocean Beach, Rat City Riot singer and rhythm guitarist Andy Mensing (formerly of the Boardlords) also performs growling acoustic rock, country, punk, blues as Andy Smokeboss. An album called Songs From the Bindle was released in 2012. The Awesome Hot Sauce company manufactures a signature Smokeboss Hot Sauce.” – The San Diego Reader

Artist Biography:
The Smokeboss Militia is the newest project of Andy ‘Smokeboss’ Mensing, former guitarist in Rat City Riot, and a litany of other bands you probly never heard of. Throughout his career, The Smokeboss has met an incredible wealth of remarkable musicians, and was somehow able to get many of them to play on his new record- ‘Rise Again’- a sort of anthology project record featuring the best of his songs spanning many years and mixing and matching many genres..

Even since his beginnings in Underground Punk, Mensing always refused to limit himself to one ‘genre’. Rock, Blues, Country, Soul, Punk and Irish are just some of the categories he draws from in the hopes of creating an experience where people hear some songs they know, meet some songs they don’t, and generally just have a good time.

Good songs are good songs, doesn’t really matter what you call them. So a Smokeboss set is usually an eclectic mix of songs from every corner of the spectrum while also featuring his own original creations. The Smokeboss has enjoyed 3 successful tours of Europe, and is gearing up for a 4th tour soon!

The Smokeboss is proud to announce the release of ‘Smokeboss Hot Sauce’ from local SD company Awesome Hot Sauce! You can get yours from www.semperfryllc.com or at the shows! The singles are out everywhere and the record drops Dec 5th!!! A special edition version with 2 bonus tracks will be available only on bandcamp, so if you are a supporter of independent music then please buy it there!