Rodeo Kill was formed in the dusty summer of 2002, in or around Olympia, Washington, an enclave of cultural vivacity located extremely close to lots of water.

In Olympia it's entirely possible - actually, more like the norm -- for any given musician to work under dozens of different band names and side projects. The members of RK are no exception. Three members of Rodeo Kill - guitarist Scott West, drummer Ryan Leisinger, and pianist Paul Pearson -- had been playing live for close to two years in the band King Dinosaur at the time of Rodeo Kill's inception. The three musicians carried extremely diverse musical influences that covered just about every genre except (thankfully) new age music.

Shortly after the release of King Dinosaur's album Everything He Touched He Destroyed, West, Leisinger and Pearson began working on an idea they'd considered for a few months - playing classic outlaw country songs through rock instruments. Using Willie, Waylon and Hank Jr. songs for springboards, and installing David Allen Coe as their patron saint, Rodeo Kill was born.

The earliest lineup of Rodeo Kill featured as many as seven instrumentalists at once. Guitarists Mike Longmire and Kenny Thompson, King Dinosaur veterans, were recruited for RK, along with bassist Liv "The General" Johnson. Pearson invited his friend Nerissa Raymond, a self-taught bluegrass fiddler, to join in the fun as well.

In a poignant moment of sacrifice for the sake of group identity, RK members shed their birth names and adopted much more rugged, appropriate monikers: West became Colt Winchester, Leisinger became RK Bronco, Pearson became Lum (the name of one of his Texan ancestors), Raymond became Wild Dixie, Longmire became Whiskey Spurs, and Thompson was simply, chillingly referred to as "The Cowboy." Lead vocals were split amongst, well, just about everyone in the band.

Between September 2002 and March 2003, Rodeo Kill played in various combinations of the above lineup. Cover songs dominated their set lists for the first couple months or so, until Bronco's introduction of his song "Old Hank," sung by Lum, brought original Rodeo Kill material to audiences. In addition to chestnuts like "Whiskey River," "The Highwaymen" and the Dukes of Hazzard theme, RK reworked Iron Maiden's lyrically suitable metal anthem "Trooper" into a hard country jaunt featuring a sampled banjo.

Whiskey Spurs, the Cowboy, the General and Dixie eventually departed RK for other pursuits, and the following April the remaining three Killers conducted a search for a bassist. They discovered Alaska Rat through a community website all four were known to frequent. Rat adapted quickly to the ever-growing list of RK covers and original compositions, and Lum did more split duty as second guitarist to beef up The Rock. Colt and Lum split lead vocal chores (although RK handles the sci-fi original "Cattle Rustlers From the Sky," the Apocalypse Now of bovine abduction). In spring 2003, the new incarnation of RK was out on the streets and ready for danger.

The newly stripped-down, extremely tight RK started winning new fans and converts immediately, and their reputation as a powerful, professional and very entertaining live act blossomed up and down the I-5. Along with more RK Bronco originals, Colt began writing new material as well, starting off with the disturbing (but incredibly catchy) "Ghost Town."

RK's most notable 2003 show was probably Outlaw Night at McMinneman's Olympic Club in Centralia with local friends, the Dirtybirds - notable not so much for the performance, but for the fact that both Rodeo Kill and the Birds were requested not to stay overnight at the hotel ever again due to various incidents that may or may not have taken place on the roof of the establishment.

The Centralia show kicked off a magic summer and fall for the Kill, as they played nearly every bar on Olympia's 4th Avenue, and ventured to Seattle and Tacoma for club shows there. After finishing her summer duties as an off-road racer, Nerissa - re-rechristened as "Lil' Fiddle" -- rejoined the band in November 2003.

It was all biscuits with country gravy for a while. Rodeo Kill played nearly every damn chance it got, with regular gigs at the most legit and hottest venues in Olympia. Their fan count has grown immeasurably, and the demeanor of their audiences has evolved from polite and respectful to drunk, rowdy, verbally abusive and unsafe. This is a good thing. Rodeo Kill fans, furthermore, are the most devoted and fervent in Olympia, often proudly togging up in RK T-shirts, or giving them baked goods with no solicitation. In May 2004, Rodeo Kill's "Old Hank" was featured on a compilation of Oly-area bands, released in conjunction through The Olympian newspaper and Les Schwab Tires.

Rodeo Kill's current live catalog has expanded to more than 30 selections. Along with covers from Johnny Cash, Rev. Horton Heat, Neil Young, Cheech & Chong, Steve Earle, Conway & Loretta and Mojo Nixon, the original songs just keep on coming. Both RK and Colt continue to write compelling new material, including the moving "Second Chance," the furious and upbeat "Pack Your Bags," and the sad story of unsung rodeo clown hero "Ernie Pines."

In August of 2004, Paul Pearson announced he was taking a break from Rodeo Kill to focus on person issues. Rodeo Kill continued on, focusing on their orginal songs and more fiddle based songs, playing to packed rooms around the South Sounds, including The Mark in Olympia, a benefit show for UCAN at The Brotherhood Tavern, The Vault in Olympia, and several private parties.

More changes soon followed. After playing the Experience Music Project in February of 2005, Alaska Rat left the band, leaving a vacancy on bass. Long time friend Rif Adams joined the band on bass and long time guest vocals Oly Kelsie Love picked up a harmonica and guitar. This line up finished out 2005, including a show with Paul Pearson in July.

Rodeo Kill continues to play shows in Western Washington, with shows booked for 2006 and plans to record a full length album of originals in 2006.