The Shazam

The Shazam was formed in Nashville in 1997 by Tennessee native Hans Rotenberry. The original line-up of the band included drummer Scott Ballew and bassist Mick Wilson. As a trio, they recorded 4 albums with producer Brad Jones. Early in their career, these recordings (all on the Not Lame label) became critic's favorites, and the band toured Europe and the UK, where they caught the attention of Paul Weller, who met them when the Shazam and members of The Move performed together on an early version of the Live From Abbey Road program.

Early in their career, these recordings (all on the Not Lame label) became critic's favorites, and the band toured Europe and the UK, where they caught the attention of Paul Weller, who met them when the Shazam and members of The Move performed together on an early version of the Live From Abbey Road program. The Shazam together with Carl Wayne and Bev Bevan performed "I Can Hear the Grass Grow" for BBC Radio live with Wayne and Shazam frontman Rotenberry alternating vocals. Later, The Shazam opened for Paul Weller at Earl's Court at Weller's personal invitation.

In 2002, Steven van Zandt, a founding member (together with Bruce Springsteen) of the E Street Band launched his own radio show, Little Steven's Underground Garage. He quickly warmed to and championed The Shazam, embracing their song, "On the Airwaves" as not only one of "The Coolest Song(s) in the World," but frequently as the opening song to his broadcast. The band performed before 16,000+ people at the 2004 Underground Garage Festival in NYC.

Since 1999, The Shazam trio has been augmented by a second guitar player, with guitar tech Jeremy Asbrock joining them onstage and eventually as a permanent band member. Original bassist Mick Wilson left the band in the mid-2000s. Bassist Mike Vargo is the newest member of the band, and "Meteor," the Shazam's 5th album marks the first recording to feature both Vargo and Asbrock.

The Shazam's 5th album, "Meteor" was produced by Mack. Mack was the producer and/or engineer of many of the bands and records that influenced the Shazam - Queen, ELO, etc. "Meteor" was released August, 2009.

The band's discography (all on Not Lame)
The Shazam
Godspeed The Shazam
Rev9
Tomorrow The World
Meteor