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Hometown: Calgary, AB, CA
Website: https:
Sounds Like: The Sadies, Reverend Horton Heat, Link Wray, Calexico, Ennio Morricone
Genre: Rock
"big beat, no bullshit guitar instrumentals!" J. Michael Hewer, International talent buyer
“a live show that rivals that of any touring Canuck rock act" R.C. Joseph, 24Hours
"...one of the finest instrumental outfits around." – Exclaim! Magazine
Two parts hillbilly, one part surf. Calgary’s Ramblin’ Ambassadors indulge their passion by re-creating the sounds of warmer weather and hanging ten. Lead guitarist Brent Cooper appears to live for all things tremolo and twang, and the band plays with passion and fire. With one foot in the mid 60’s and the other planted firmly in the here and now, the Ramblin’ Ambassadors write with plenty of variety in approach and influences (surf, garage, rockabilly, Tex-Mex, Link Wray) keeping things interesting. Picture Corb Lund leaving his horses at home and trying to kick it for a few weeks at Huntington Beach.
"... fine surf, twang and garage rock that showcases the talents of the group members." – Chartattack.com
“a live show that rivals that of any touring Canuck rock act (it's a proven fact that instrumental bands always put on the best shows)...”
RC Joseph - 24 Hours
“From the ashes of one of Canada’s most beloved instrumental bands, Huevos Rancheros, come Calgary’s Ramblin’ Ambassadors. The good news is that Brent Cooper, the main man from Huevos is still at the helm, and there are still lots of his Link Wray-influenced twangers present on the nine-song Avanti. Cuts, like "Lungbucket" and "Hawgtied,” are upbeat rockers in the style we’ve come to expect from Cooper and they all sound great.The even better news is that the Ambassadors also convey a lot of deep atmosphere here, like on the lonely desert intro "Sixty Seconds to What?,” "Dead Man’s Flat’s" and "The Hairless Cat,” utilising trumpet and organ to great effect. Avanti very successfully manages to blend the best elements of the Friends of Dean Martinez dreamy spaghetti Western rock and blazing surf/instro-rock. With a fresh, energised record like this coming out, it’s safe to say that instrumental rock is still alive and kicking. (Mint)”
Craig Daniels - Exclaim!
“Lead guitarist Brent Cooper, ex of Huevos Rancheros, indulges his passion for all things tremolo and twang as he leads the band through a dozen tracks that could be the soundtrack to any spaghetti Western, beach movie, or '60s gumshoe film noir.
It's an album that could have been recorded anytime since the mid-'60s with plenty of variety in approach and influences (surf, garage, rockabilly, Tex-Mex, Link Wray) to keep things interesting, the band plays with passion and fire….
Tunes such as the roaring "Cabbage Diablo" tear through their paces at a breathless high-speed pace with enough twists and turns to satisfy a stock car racer. Only the thudding "Lonesome Rambler" clocks in at over four minutes, with a handful at three and the rest getting the job done in even less time. There is no fluff, padding, or filler, making this music cruise like the titular vehicles tuned up and ready to cruise to the nearest beach.”
Hal Horowitz - Allmusic.com
