Single I Chris Horses & The Slow Smoke – Rocks On The Street
Strong roots, a free heart, and eyes set on the horizon
Italian country/Southern rock band Chris Horses & The Slow Smoke have released a new single from their upcoming album ‘Nowhere Bound,’ due out this September via Devil’s Fork Records
Am I the only one who’s on the run? Am I still trying to have fun?” I wrote this song on a solitary trip to Czech Republic some time ago. I remember I was lying in a hotel room in Brno with my head full of thoughts, reflecting on how the way I feel about Music seems to be colliding with the rushy modern world we live in. Lots of people and friends I know gave up trying to make a living with Music, though their talent is still enviable. Some of them don’t even enjoy listening to Music anymore, and this thing sounds totally crazy to me. – comments Chris Horses.
Strong roots, a free heart, and eyes set on the horizon: Chris Horses & The Slow Smoke are the voice of those who seek truth in the dust of the roads—among worn-out dreams and beers shared under starry skies. Born from the meeting of four musicians united by their passion for Americana, Country Rock, and Southern Rock, the band blends evocative atmospheres with a genuine spirit, heir to the great American musical tradition.
The project takes shape around Cristian Secco, known as Chris Horses—a singer and guitarist from Veneto whose honest, straightforward songwriting tells stories that smell of wood, dust, and melancholy. By his side stand three solid, inspired musicians: Gianluca Zanibellato on guitar, a true sound architect who shifts from gritty riffs to bluesy phrasing; Andrea Vanacore, a bassist with a deep, steady groove, and Federico Patarnello, a drummer with an essential yet driving style, holding everything together with both elegance and strength.
In 2024, they released their first record, Sad Songs & Dark Beer, under the independent label Devil’s Fork Records. The album is both a musical and storytelling journey, blending intimate, heartfelt songs with southern-flavored electric rides—all written by Chris Horses. The influences are clear but never imitative: from Neil Young to The Allman Brothers, through Jason Isbell, Blackberry Smoke, and Willie Nelson, Chris Horses & The Slow Smoke absorb and reinterpret these sounds, crafting something personal, vivid, and authentic.
With a repertoire that comes alive both on record and—most of all—on stage, the band stands out for its ability to create a warm, engaging atmosphere at every performance. The stage is their natural habitat: between instrumental jams, acoustic ballads, and explosive moments, each concert turns into a shared story.
During the past few months, the Slow Smoke recorded their new album that will come out in 2026 via Devil’s Fork Records: “Nowhere Bound”. 9 brand-new songs about love, heartbreak and everyday life recorded between the “True Colours Studio” in Padova (Italy) with the precious help of the studio engineer Francesco “Franz” Fabiano and “The Kitchen Sink” in Santa Fe (New Mexico, USA), where the mastering process has been finalized by Jono Manson (Blues Traveler, Warren Haynes).
Chris Horses & The Slow Smoke are a band that knows where they’re going, because they know exactly where they come from. And as their songsflowlike a slow river through small-town stories, American dreams, and inner escapes, all that’s left to do is let yourself be carried away by the slow smoke and the rough, soulful voice of their musical world.
Chris Horses & The Slow Smoke are:
– Chris Horses (Cristian Secco) // electric and acoustic guitar, lead vocals
– Gianluca Zanibellato // electric guitar, banjo, backing vocals
– Andrea Vanacore // bass, backing vocals
– Federico Patarnello // drums, backing vocals
Website: https://www.facebook.com/chrishorsesandtheslowsmoke/
