The Great Shakes

Call The Great Shakes political punk prostitutes and they smirk, ?Call up the zealots for a fundamental time.? Stand still, staring, arms X'd across your chest, and they groove, ?Distortions in the truth, we give it to you.? Laugh, cry, scream at them, and they remind you that they ?know you're never faithful? and they ?know they've had enough.? The Great Shakes didn't start out this self-assured, these five distinct people who know Americana is more than the isolated island culture of the 5 boroughs of NYC. They started out disillusioned and lucky.

?Currioddities? May 2002 to August 2003

Their first single, WANT/GOT, an assault on the desires that fuel their haggard hotspot of a home, found its way commercial radio rotation (WOXY 97X) and landed numerous times on WOXY's top ten People's Choice Countdown. With no money and only their manager's tireless use of email to promote it, WANT/GOT propelled their independent, internet-distributed debut EP (The United Shakes of America) to several top 100 lists of 2003 and launched three of its five songs into commercial and satellite airplay including KCRW, WOXY and XM Satellite's Radar Report. They didn't stop there. The Great Shakes shared stages with Elefant, Morningwood, The Flesh and The Hong Kong. The old industry buzz was beginning. They met producer Joe Blaney at Luna Lounge, NYC. Joe was part of the making of the pop clang of Combat Rock, the groove of Prince's Lovesexy, the post disco-punk of NYC icons The Bush Tetras and the pulp garage of the latest from The Ravonettes. However, life for The Great Shakes was about to become a slow dance.

?We do not play well with others.? September 2003 to July 2004

Two drummers, one guitarist, much more airplay, a tour of LA, a notorious $12 bed-jumping video, a few broken toes and a lot of shows later, they finally got chemistry in their aptly named rehearsal space, Spiders, Rats and Flies. The current members of The Great Shakes have played together in projects on and off for years. Andy and Darren have worked together so long that they call each other wife because they don't have to speak to know what's on their minds. Jkenneth, the other original member, and Derek know how to take them to task like brats who are always right? well, most of the time. And Gintas, he tries to keep them all sane and tight.

?Presidentially Factual.? August 2004 to Present

Joe Blaney signed The Great Shakes to a development deal in August. Recording finally started the night the Red Sox initiated their improbable World Series run. Election night, Darren sang, ?Star strangled glory, our banner story, home is where the heart is and this one's gonna burn? as a tide of red states enveloped the country. The Great Shakes wrapped their stop-start, strung-out, late-night sessions as the New Year rang in. Life for The Great Shakes is a slow dance, but it's a slow dance to some of the slinkiest, groove oriented drums, grinding fretless bass, angular post-guitars and self-confident, sneered vocals to curse this style fetished world in 20 years.

?We do not have a past. We only have a presence.?