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Glasswerk.co.uk Review of ‘The Next Big Thing’ at Carling Academy Glasgow
I’ve managed to catch The Shakes playing live a good few times. However it’s always been on smaller stages. The Down & Outs impressed me with their sound whilst playing the Sunday Mail Tent at Live @ Loch Lomond this summer. The Next Big Thing provided the perfect opportunity to see if two of Scotland’s biggest unsigned bands could pull it off on a big stage at a venue that has held host to some of the world’s most successful acts.
The Shakes have garnered a reputation for playing every gig like it’s their last. They are without a doubt one of the tightest bands I’ve heard in a long while. Thankfully they upheld their end of the bargain and didn’t disappoint.
‘Going to Where She’s Gone’ has become a firm set and fans’ favourite, which is no surprise. Lead singer Ian Gillies delivers with his usual distinctive sexy drawl that could rival Caleb Followhill of Kings of Leon. A bold statement, I know but just deserved.
Possibly their most unassuming track, ‘Sting Got Stung’ has a stonking bass line, courtesy of Ross Hunter. Just when you think you’ve heard all this song has to offer the momentum building guitars kick in from nowhere before handing it back to the bass line.
I would defy anyone who wasn’t impressed by ‘Little Romancer’, a tune that grips a hold of you as it steam rolls ahead. An instantly likeable song that displays the strengths of the band as a whole. There is no standout Shake here, they all come out of their corner fighting and they all win.
Favourite track of mine, far and away belongs to ‘Driffic’, an ideal closer. A proper raucous rock and roll ramshackle that has everything to offer and leaves nothing out. Phil Plunkett gives it stacks on the bass drum pedal before going wild with crashing cymbals. Alan Jones and Marc McLean up the ante by ripping it up with some fantastic guitar skills. And as Gillies growls, “To whoever is not here tonight, then you just might as well be dead”, I can’t help but think he’s right.
I would bet my life that this won’t be the last time The Shakes play the Carling Academy.
Words by Leigh Rafferty
Review of The Big Bash by BluesBunny:
Rather more polished and equally interesting were The Shakes. Seasoned performers, they know how to put on a show. Finger tight rhythms and seemingly boundless energy encouraged the punters to dance and their songs – “Going to Where She’s Gone” stood out – were short, sharp and sweet. This band has the confidence that comes with experience and it was a delight to watch them perform
Review of King Tuts gig by The List Magazine:
The SHAKES live @ KING TUTS, Glasgow 10th July 2008… 4/5 stars…
Gracing the stage at King Tut’s with their presence for the first time, Dumbartonshire band The Shakes played to a full house. As the first guitar pickings of ‘Everytime You Go Away’ begin the audience cheers – one of their more mellow tracksbut one to get your head bobbing.
With ‘Little Romancer’ Gillies (vocals) really lets loose his bluesy, gravely voice, performing like he belongs there (actually they all do) although he can’t seem to bring himself to open his eyes and look at the crowd – which is very endearing, if a little surprising.
On the final track ‘Driffic’, The Shakes show how good they are with driving guitars, drum fills gallore, bass that you can feel in the pit of your stomach and vocals that hold there own against a momentum-building wall of sound.
With every song different to the one before. The Shakes play rock’n’roll the way its supposed to be played; with urgency, passion and energy – and evidently they make sure they’re having a good time whilst they’re doing it.
Words by Leigh Rafferty.
O’Neills Undiscovered Live 2006 wrote:
On 16th August 2006, the grand final of O’Neill’s Undiscovered Live competition saw eight bands battle it out in front of a 1000 strong crowd of music fans and a panel of industry experts. The winners on the night, The Shakes, were one of eight bands who had progressed from the local heats held at 44 O’Neill’s across the country. They then went on to compete in one of eight regional finals to win a place in the grand final. The whole competition attracted over 750 acts across the country, making it one of the largest unsigned music talent contests staged in the UK.
Shaking off the competition The Shakes, a five piece band from Scotland, fought off some tough competition to come out on top on the night, winning a host of musical equipment as well as two days in the world famous Abbey Road Studios in London recording a CD.
A top night that saw top ten potentialHost of the grand final, Colin Murray commented: ‘The level of talent at the grand final was extremely high and the bands’ performances made for a great evening of live music. Judging from The Shakes set, they’ve got top ten potential and I’m sure we’ll be hearing more of them in the future’.
He added: ‘With the new series of X-Factor heralding yet another slice of manufactured pop, it’s great to see that real bands are also being given their chance to demonstrate their talent and get the credit they deserve’.
Written by photographer Paul Bence
Undiscovered Live Final 2006
Following a series of thrilling regional finals stretching from Glasgow down to Reading and across to Cardiff, the final eight contenders in 2006 O’Neill’s Undiscovered Live have been selected.
Chosen by expert panels including music industry representatives, journalists and fellow musicians, alongside O’Neill’s customers; each band has secured their slot at the grand final at The Carling Academy in Islington, London, on Wednesday 16th August.
They will be introduced on stage to an 800 strong crowd by radio DJ Colin Murray where they will need to impress judges including A&R from a major record label and drummer from chart topping indie band, The Crimea. The final winner will walk away with a prize package of a two day recording session at Abbey Road Studios and a whole host of musical equipment worth a total of over £10,000.
With music from reggae to rock to indie, the final is guaranteed to be a great night of entertainment and could potentially showcase the next big thing in British music.
“They did a cover of a Stokes song which was absolutely spot on.
If you like music, then you’ll really appreciate these guys. Punchy, tight and the lead singer has plenty of energy, if not a little shy…
Go see them if you get chance”