ANTHONY " PACKRAT" THOMPSON

January 29, 2021

ANTHONY " PACKRAT" THOMPSON

Anthony “Packrat” Thompson: Lead Vocals, harmonica, guitar and percussion

Born in Lake Helen, Florida and raised in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, “Packrats” exposure to the blues came at an early age due to his mother Willie B. Spellers interest in the blues greats. Listening to the records of John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Reed and Howlin’ Wolf and hitting the juke joints and roadhouses in South Florida which featured live blues entertainment, made this music just part of everyday life. But the music of Sonny Boy Williamson is what influenced “Packrat” the most as a young man and sent him in the direction of being a musician.

“Packrat” began his professional career as a drummer in the south Florida area in the 70’s where he and Robert Thomas met as members of a local soul band. But “Packrat” soon gave up the drums in favor of the harmonica and years later it was a common interest in roots blues music that brought Robert and he together again when Smokehouse was originally formed. Back in 1995 the band’s name changed to “Packrats Smokehouse” in which the band is known as the Florida Swamp Blues (Men of the Swamp).

KINGS OF THE FLORIDA SWAMP BLUES… THAT’S THE MUSIC OF PACKRAT’S SMOKEHOUSE!

PACKRAT’S SMOKEHOUSE IS A FLORIDA SWAMP BLUES BAND OUT OF NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FL. THE BAND WAS CREATED BY ANTHONY “PACKRAT” THOMPSON IN 1989.

The band’s name was Smokehouse from ’89 to ’98 and Packrats Smokehouse ’98 to ’04 and 2015 to present (Aaron “Pop” Watson joined in ’93 and Kenny “The Wizard” Sly in ’94). We knew each other from other bands and being natives (except Kenny moved to this area in late 80s). The band had a song on the Aaron Spelling TV production “Savannah” on WB network in ’96 and their music was used as a large part of the soundtrack for the feature film “The Road to Canyon Lake” in 2004. Anthony “Packrat” Thompson is a raw, greasy harmonica player, evoking the swamp sounds of Baton Rouge that has spread and taken root in the steamy Florida lowlands. His voice is reminiscent of Little Walter and Howlin’ Wolf. The lowdown guitar sound of guitarist Robert “Top” Thomas who is equally impressive, can spit out fiery solos and muscular riffs reworking the deep, swampy groove of New Orleans and Delta blues, that make you think of the pine flatwoods and cypress bottoms of Central Florida. Top is from New Smyrna Beach and Packrat is from Lake Helen Florida. Although they have shared bandstands since the late 1970’s, It wasn’t until 1988 that they began to explore their common roots and their love of the Blues. SmokeHouse” recorded four groundbreaking CD’s in the 90’s that defined the genre of Florida Swamp Blues. Living Blues Magazine said of their 3rd release Cadillac in the Swamp; “The year 1995 was a great one for blues recording, but this irrepressible set of updated swamp blues earns this reviewer’s vote as the best of the lot.” In 2015 the band reunited and is now in the process of creating a much anticipated fifth album release in 2017. Former band members: Thomas “Doc Holiday” Westray- bass guitar, Gary Bavis- bass guitar, Ture Hayes- drums. Packrat’s Smokehouse has added a new addition to the band in 2018: Peter “Brother Pete” Beers- organ, keyboardist.

Press accomplishments: In the Living Blues review in ’96, the reviewer opined that “Cadillac In The Swamp” was the best album of 1995. In 1997, our song “Mr. So and So” placed #27 in the National Association of Rythmn and Blues DeeJays Top 50 List. Many great reviews of our albums and live performances are also out there.

Opening for such acts as “Third Eye Blind”, “Jim Belushi and The Blues Brothers Band”, “Elvin Bishop”, “Canned Heat”, “Grinderswitch”, “The Del Vikings”, “The Fabulous Thunderbirds” Taj Mahal, Koko Taylor, Noble “Thin Man” Watts, Kenny Neal, James Peterson and Lester Chambers.