Biography

A note for broadcasters & DJ's:
These 3 presented songs are being released (physically & digitally) in mid-late November on our brand new disc entitled 'Twirlin' Girl Boogie'.
The CD will be available worldwide through CDBaby.
Please check back often for additional new songs.
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Biography
Steve Coffey & The Lokels - Canadian Prairie Roots Music.

"The framework of a concept is established through Coffey's terse, emotive rasp with plenty of space left for his band, The Lokels, to create an ebbing, flowing Neil Young-styled western soundscape that is wordless yet still fraught with meaning." BRMag

Born in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada.
Steve was raised on Traditional Country music, much of which was unwillingly pounded into his head through the walls between his bedroom and his father's rehearsal space (his dad was a honky-tonkin', beer swillin' steel guitar player). When he was eight his mother decided that this life just wasn't suited for raising kids and up and hauled him and his four siblings off West on a train to a small town in Alberta. For a few years Steve flourished (likely due to more sleep- filled nights) but eventually began to pine for his dad, or more precisely, what drove him musically. Living directly across from the railroad tracks (which became a catalyst for Steve's future) He kept imagining jumping an East bound boxcar but settled on a Greyhound and headed back to Manitoba. He went on the road with his dad's band at fourteen discovering a life both celebratory and lonely and decided then and there that he needed to write and play music but with a different set of rules, one that would leave room for family. At sixteen he headed back West...on a train. To this day the prairie train plays an important role in his muse; as a symbol, as a nomadic entity that passes through many towns with many stories, some tragic, some beautiful and uplifting. It passes through our heads and our souls in Canada and connects us, both physically & romantically today as much as it did in the past just like a song. Unless he can hear it's late night whistle sleep comes hard.
Bands & songwriters Steve listened to growing up: Cream, Creedence, Lightfoot, Buffalo Springfield & The Band, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Leonard Cohen & Bob Dylan. One noteable influence of all combined: Their immediacy and 'off the floor' expression.
Some Thirty years later Steve's catalogue consists of over Two Hundred original songs many of which have been recorded and released and heard on many an airwave. Steve was raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Innisfail, Alberta but now makes his home South of Calgary.

Russ Baker brings a range of influences, noteably a ska/jazz approach to his bass playing and his electric guitar playing rides the fence between the ethereal to an all out roots rock sensibility . Russ Baker is also a music producer and engineer. Russ has worked with bands such as Cone of Silence and Wafer Thin Mint and has worked with Steve on a number of projects outside of the Lokels. He makes his home in Edmonton, Alberta, but was raised in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

Dave Bauer is a songwriter in his own right. His band Deep Field South wanders into a concise, poetic acoustic world. An extremely versatile player Dave plays Mandolin and electric guitars with not only THE LOKELS but also the Foothillbilly, Canadiana sounds of Dave McCann & The Ten Toed Frogs. Dave lives in Calgary, Alberta.

Lance Loree (Uncle Thirsty) has worked with all sorts; Washboard Hank & Junior Gone Wild to the infamous punk rockabilly sound of the Alien Rebels. Lance is well known as one of the foremost tele players around and a great pedal steel/ dobro player. He's also a songsmith that can crack smiles in the darkest halls. Lance works his farm in Southern Alberta.

Finally the youngest member of THE LOKELS: Pat Phillips; a huge range of musical tastes but most particularly; Jazz. Pat steps into the role as percussionist with wide open ears and an uncanny ability to interpret and respond to any given tune. Pat has worked with Matt Masters & Tim Hus to name a few. Pat hales from Ontario but now lives in Calgary, Alberta.

other LOKEL members that they work with on occassion:
Matt Herne is an amazing banjo player from Australia that has been with The Lokels on two albums and will be with them again. A kindred spirit Matt brings a Flatt & Scruggs design to The Lokels sessions but also weaves and swerves into unchartered banjo brilliance.

Stu Mitchell is from Edmonton. He's a very well known drummer; guitar & bass player & piano man.
Stu has worked with Steve on two prior albums ('94 & in '97) before stepping in on The Lokel's 32 Below Sessions in 2004.

Steve Relf; also from Edmonton, is a singer/songwriter that comes with influences of Steve Earle to Don Williams, from KISS to Metallica. A great guitar player and one hell of a singer. Steve has a great album out there called "Spirits Malfunction".

Steve Coffey & The Lokels (& many combinations of; trio's, duo's & solo's) have performed at numerous clubs, festivals and events over many years. Each band member has performed across Canada many times. For Steve A few notables include: The Calgary Folk Festival; South & North Country Fairs, Wild Oats & Notes; The Sidetrack, Lydia's & Broken City. Steve was hired at Canadian Music Week in Toronto & performed in Europe (Poznan, Poland).
Steve has shared the stage with such folks as Bill Bourne, Corb Lund, Fred Eaglesmith, Caitlin Cary & Rhonda Vincent to name a few.

Discography
STEVE COFFEY & THE LOKELS: Twirlin' Girl Boogie- 2008
Producer: InOURHouse Productions
STEVE COFFEY & THE LOKELS: Same Boy CD/DVD 2 disc- 2007
producer: CD-Steve Loree DVD-A.Thomas & Steve Coffey
STEVE COFFEY & THE LOKELS: 32 Below Sessions- 2004
producer: Russ Baker & The Lokels
STEVE COFFEY & THE LOKELS: East of East Coulee- 2002
producer: Russ Baker & Steve Coffey
TALKLIKEJOE: TalkLIKEJoe - 1997
producer: Jay Bigam, Steve Coffey & Dave Mockford
THE KITCHEN BOYS: Passion Town- 1994
producer: Bill Bourne
THE KITCHEN BOYS: The Kitchen Boys- 1993
producer: The Kitchen Boys