The Robbers

The Robbers is an American hard rock band formed in 2001 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The bands current and most popular lineup includes founder Tim 'The Thief' Blacksworth on vocals, Brutus 'The Brute' Smith on lead guitar, Carol 'The Gambler' Bettings on bass, and Gary 'The Gunman' Richardson. The band found mainstream success in the late 2000's and early 2010's with two albums certified gold and five top 10 hits on the rock airplay format.
== History ==
=== Formation (2001) ===
Tim Blacksworth originally formed the band shortly after graduating from high school, only becoming interested in music during high school. Blacksworth claims "he wouldn't have been able to make it through some tough times" without music. Influenced by hard rock bands such as Led Zeppelin, Van Halen and many others, along with influences from the Southern Rock and Outlaw Country genres, Blacksworth began writing songs before the band was formed, eventually finding more musicians from across Gatlinburg to form the band.
=== Early Days and Lineup Changes (2001 - 2004) ===
The Robbers began playing local venues in late 2001, performing covers with along with songs written by Blacksworth. Band members came and left, and by 2003 all original band members had departed for multiple reasons. The band went through 7 replacement members before settling on the current lineup in 2004. In the same year, Blacksworth reunited with childhood friend Miles Washburn, who had begun a career as a producer. Washburn became the band's producer and agreed to produce a studio album if there was an opportunity.
=== Record Deal and First Album (2005 - 2006) ===
In 2005, The Robbers struck a record deal with Tennessee-based record label Full Force Records. Alongside the deal, The Robbers decided to form more of an identity by assigning stage names to each member, homing in on the outlaw theme. The band started recording their first and self-titled studio album in the fall of 2005, with Washburn as the producer. The album included most of the songs Blacksworth had written in the past along with a few new songs written by the band collectively. The band wrapped up the recording session by the new year, and in March of 2006, the debut album was released. The album failed to chart and sold 50,000 units in the first month, but the record label was pleased and extended their contract with the band.
=== First Tour and Second Album (2006 - 2007) ===
The Robbers departed on their first tour shortly before the release of their first album, mostly playing in the Appalachian Mountains region and the east coast of the United States. The band began writing songs while on tour, allowing for a 'new perspective in songwriting ideas', according to Blacksmith. The tour was relatively successful and wrapped up just before the recording of The Robbers second studio album, titled The Robbers II, inspired by the numbering method from bands such as Van Halen and Led Zeppelin. 
=== Mainstream Success (2008 - 2009) ===
=== World Tour (2009 - 2010) ===
=== Fourth and Fifth Albums (2010 - 2012) ===
=== Temporary Breakup (2013 - 2015) ===
=== Reunion and Sixth Album (2015 - 2017) ===
=== Frequent Releases and Touring (2018 - Present) ===
== Discography ==
=== Studio Albums ===
* The Robbers (2006)
* The Robbers II (2008)
* Guns For Hire (2009)
* Escaping Justice (2010)
* Absent Without Official Leave (2012)
* Caught Red-Handed (2017)
* Won't Take Us Alive (2019)
* Tales Of The Thief (2022)
* Tales Of The Brute (2024)
Category:Fake Bands