Smokey Hormel grew up in Los Angeles where he studied guitar with the legendary Texas Playboys guitarist, Jimmy Wyble. He spent the 80s and 90s performing all around Southern California with The Blasters, Canned Heat, The Radio Ranch Straightshooters, Lester Butler, and John Doe. In 1996 he joined Becks band for the Odelay and Mutations tours). In 1999, he became Tom Waits’ guitarist for the Get Behind the Mule Tour and moved to Hoboken, New Jersey, where he currently lives and plays in local clubs.

He has been on numerous recordings by a variety of artists, including Beck (Mutations, Midnight Vultures, Sea Change) Beth Orton (Daybreaker), Marianne Faithfull, Rufus Wainwright, RL Burnside, John Doe, Teddy Thompson, Wanda Jackson, Joe Strummer, Tom Waits (Mule Variations), Neil Diamond (12 Songs), The Dixie Chicks (Takin The Long Way), Justin Timberlake (Love/Sexy), and most notable: Johnny Cashs American Recordings (including the Grammy Award winning Hurt).

In 2003, Smokey joined Mauro Refosco for the first east village after hours Forro party. This lead to the formation of Forro in the Dark.