Tony Watkins and the ‘Smokebreakers’ have been performing in Russia since 1997, and from 1999 to 2010 the core group members have remained the same (Tony, Andrey, Vitaliy, and Igor).
Having toured over 40 cities in Russia, all the countries in CIS, and countries in Europe (Germany, Ireland, Spain, Romania, Baltics, Denmark), the group rose to fame thanks to quality of their live performances including interaction with audiences.
Their main performances consist of covers of popular rock and pop hits from over 60 years of rock n roll. Though in addition Tony has a number of original songs from his seven albums.
Smokebreakers have participated in many original musical projects such as “50 years of Rock-n-Roll” (in 2004 accompanied by the Moscow Symphony Orchestra), and made corporate songs for brands like Stimorol, Caterpillar, Nutricia etc.
One song, “Baby, Baby, Let’s Dance”, was included in the computer game SIMS™ 2 PETS – a worldwide best seller whose launch was in 2008. The song was performed in the language of the game’s heroes and was renamed “Nubu, Nubu, Leep’s Nurk”
In 2009, Tony released “Love’s Roads” – a 20 chapter book and an album of 20 songs – a Moscow love story.
The band actively support the charity Diema’s Dream Foundation with concerts during the year including an annual fundraiser each year in GUM, next to the Red Square.
Tony Watkins was born in Dungannon, Northern Ireland.
After releasing his first album ‘Lifegoeson’ in UK in 1993, Tony visited Moscow which resulted in the recording of his second album “Dancing in Red Square” in 1997.
After this he based himself in Moscow and formed the band ‘Smokebreakers’.
Since then he has recorded several albums and numerous videoclips, visited more than 50 Russian cities and several European countries with concerts and corporate projects.
Tony enjoys a busy life. He likes to spend time with his family in Russia, to travel and meet different interesting people in music.
Igor studied music from early childhood, he played in the school band, college, Lipetsk Philharmonic, Aleksander Serov’s group, from 1998 – the most humorous member of Smokebreakers.
Igor loves Georgian food, beer, playing guitar (can play 4 hours a day). All his life dreams to play with Deep Purple.
His first musical experience was in music school but continued to study on their own in the school band, the restaurants, the Tambov and Smolensk Philharmonic. In the late 80s he worked in a group “27 km”, and in 1997 joined the group Smokebreakers and since then did not drink a drop of alcohol.
Vitaly loves jazz rock, funk and blues, a good cook and does not leave unfinished business.
Andrew began his musical career at age 16 in the school band and continued in the army. From 1985 to 1995 he played in the following bands: “Stariy primus”, “27 km”, “White Dwarfs”, “Jha point”, “Moana and the Tribe”. In 1997 together with Tony they created Smokebrekers.
Andrew dreams of a life in harmony with himself and the world.
