Leogun

Leogun, a London-based trio steeped in rock & roll, channels the raw energy of the White Stripes while owing part of its career trajectory to Elton John, whose Rocket Music roster welcomed the group in 2012. Fronted by guitarist and vocalist Tommy Smith alongside bassist Matt Johnson and drummer Mike Lloyd, the band unleashes a robust, blues-soaked intensity that defines its debut album By the Reins. Issued in 2013, this record marked the inaugural release on Yamaha Entertainment Group, the label extension of the renowned instrument manufacturer.

The seeds of Leogun trace back to the early bond between Smith and Johnson, who later encountered Lloyd during their university years. The lineup coalesced in the first decade of the 2000s, paving the way for deals with both Rocket Music and Yamaha. An EP surfaced in autumn 2012 while the members finished tracking their full-length effort in Nashville. After a stretch of spring performances, By the Reins arrived in summer 2013.