Formed in 2011, The Shakeys are named after Perth roadie, Dave “Shakey” Brodie (RIP), who was a sound engineer for many of the punk and rock'n'roll bands in WA and Australia from the 80s to the early 2000s.
The band have gigged extensively since their debut including doing supports for Guitar Wolf (JPN), Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg (US), Brant Bjork (US), The Meatpuppets (US), Cockney Rejects (UK), You Got a Radio (JPN), The Hard-On’s (SYD), Warped (MELB), Gyroscope (WA), and many others. And have played events like the City Limits Festival, Hidden Treasures, Distant Murmurs, WAM Festival, Westdale Rock, Not So Silent Night and fundraisers for alternative tastemaker radio station’s such as RTRFM.
The Shakeys' second EP, White Lightning saw them tour Japan in 2014, playing with some of the underground heavyweights from the Japanese garage punk scene such as Supersnazz, The Fadeaways, Thee Bat, Baitones, Kannana Speedcats and many others. The EP was also made the Local Feature on RTRFM and continues to receive airplay both locally and nationally.
In 2021, The Shakeys released their long-awaited debut album "Mob Mentality" recorded over five days via the analogue goodness at Poons Head Studios and unleashing 10 fresh new tracks of high energy punk rawk. The aim of the sessions were to “track everything as fast as possible - smash it out and keep the punk in it, keeping our live sound in the recordings”, according to vocalist Claire Hodgson, and the album results in just that - staying true to its punk rock ethos, while capturing the essence of the band’s live shows in a rugged-yet-refined package.
Deriving its name from observations by author Jon Ronson in his book “So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed”, the album's title refers to the concept of the mob vengeance of old moving into the digital world, and the way it can polarise modern society - a 21st century phenomena the band laments on in appropriately tongue-in-cheek style on the scorching title track.
Showcasing two sides of the band’s fast, furious and addictive blend of punk meets rock & roll (with a sprinkling of garage for good measure), Mob Mentality’s 10 tracks alternate between in-your-face raucousness and a more melodic sound (while keeping its edge). Both styles have one thing in common - revealing the group’s knack for writing catchy licks and hooks that stay with you long after the record finishes. The album also resonated with music tastemakers both at home and abroad with Mob Mentality receiving an 8/10 rating from Hysteria Mag (AU) and rave reviews, airplay in Germany and the US and tastemaker radio stations across Australia, was added to a French garage punk podcast and made RTRFM's Sound Selection the week of its release.
Having received such a positive response, the album paves the way for more live shows outside of the band's hometown as The Shakeys set their sights on national and international shows in 2022 and beyond!
PRESS
"Mob Mentality is not only a high-energy number but a high-spirited one, with the ethos of punk running through its veins. And while it flexes between fast-paced and more melodic moments, it maintains a genuine, raw sound all the way through. Essentially, it sounds like a gig feels—give it a spin, and we promise you’ll be envisioning crammed rooms, no stages, bevvies in hands and all the joys we’ve come to miss in lockdown. Mob Mentality is ten tracks crafted by four dynamos, and it will 100% blow your mind. Tune in. 8/10"
- Channel Issa, Hysteria Mag, AU
"[The Shakeys' album single] 'Syndrome', had been recorded with outstanding production. This really captures The Shakeys' live acidity on tape. The song literally threatens you throughout the duration, but stays with you. That’s the hook. Everything about this album reads classic. A dazzling mix, Brad Weir’s fantastic art, and the fact 'Mob Mentality' is pressed on luminous hot pink vinyl. It screams punk. Traditional, old school punk. A must have for any record collection."
- Chuckles Bunt, Turbo Nun Entertainment, AU
“The city of Perth in Australia has molded quite possibly one of the greatest garage bands currently active- The Shakeys. The band’s sound borrows from the guitars of The Saints, the rhythm section of The Donnas and the soul of the Ramones.”
- Chuck Livid, TuffGnarl, US
“This [EP] is a joyride and the rawness of how this band play is absolutely outstanding stuff. It echoes the punk music scene of 1970s New York and there are elements of BLONDIE in the DNA of this band..and it is as if they are the bastard child of every great punk band of the era too.”
- Twenty1Zero Media, Ireland
“The Shakeys exude presence and style, rocking hard with AC/DC-Runaways-Ramones classic rock spunk peppered with garage grit.”
- Shane Pinnegar, 100 Percent Rock
“The Shakeys just get better and better… Taking a nod to the 70s genre classics, the punk’n’roll vibe of their sound is what hits you – solid tunes with no-nonsense lyrics that you feel in your gut.”
- X-Press Magazine
FUN FACTS
- While on tour in Japan The Shakeys played a dive bar in Tokyo and along with their 15+ hometown friends who were travelling with them (plus some other random Australians who'd got wind there was an Aussie band playing!) and managed to drink the bar dry of beer
- The Shakeys once played a biker festival where members of the audience shouted marriage proposals
- The Shakeys bass player Jess is a beekeeper, owner of rescue chickens and super cute baby goats
- The Shakeys' vocalist Claire used to manage punk bands then she ended up in one! Claire is also a DJ and was formerly a presenter on a local radio station's punk show for 6+ years.
CONTACT
Claire Hodgson
e: perthisacultureshock@hotmail.com
p: +61 400 734 467
