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09/07/11 Bama Theatre - Tuscaloosa, AL
09/08/11 Trustees Theatre - Savannah, GA 09/10/11 Track 29 - Chattanooga, TN 09/24/11 Next Big Nashville presents: SOUNDLAND 09/30/11 The Basement - Nashville, TN 11/05/11 Standard Deluxe - Waverly, AL 12/03/11 Blue Canoe - Tupelo, MS |
I’m going to make a bold claim here and declare the Alabama Shakes—a four-piece from Athens, AL—the “best new band you’ve never heard of.” Calling the Shakes“new” is a bit of a misnomer, as they’ve been creating music together since 2009. However, like most gifted unsigned musicians, the band is still largely anonymous outside of the blogosphere. Perhaps it’s a problem of geography; Athens is nowhere near anything resembling a brownstone or an Urban Outfitters, nor is Alabama a frontrunner (or even a participant) in the mad dash towards cultural relevance. Which begs the question (a question we—the pointlesslyinnocuous Northerners—are always hesitant to ask): how did the Deep South produce such progressive music?
The answer isn’t as exciting as the music, but it is relatable. Brittany Howard (vox/guitar/piano), Zach Cockrell (bass) and Heath Fogg (guitar) attended the same high school in Athens. Howard and Cockrell initially formed the band, later recruiting Steve Johnson (drums) and then Fogg, whose current band at the time needed an opener.The four friends built their relationship on a mutual appreciation for creative diversity. Or, as Howard puts it: “All of our influences were both congruent and very different—it was interesting music in a not so interesting town.”
In simple terms, the Shakes are a “soul revival” band. Howard has the kind of big, pulpit voice reminiscent of soul giants like Aretha or Bettye LaVette. But you won’t find her belting ballads for the cocktail crowd; she’s far too naughty to jive with suits and heels. Unless it’s a zoot suit whose owner is tearing it up on the dance floor, James Brown style. That’s more like it. Because, at the end of the day, the Shakes—as their name implies—seem determined to give their audience a full body jolt. Whether it’s a playful booty shaker (“Hang Loose”) or core-shatteringamore (“You Ain’t Alone”), the band delivers an emotional punch to a generation hell-bent on staring dolefully at the ground. This is rock ‘n soul and it hurts so good.
The Alabama Shakes will be playing select shows with the Drive-By Truckers this fall. They are currently unsigned, but it sounds like the offers are pouring in. Keep up to date on Facebook and listen to songs on Reverbnation.
The answer isn’t as exciting as the music, but it is relatable. Brittany Howard (vox/guitar/piano), Zach Cockrell (bass) and Heath Fogg (guitar) attended the same high school in Athens. Howard and Cockrell initially formed the band, later recruiting Steve Johnson (drums) and then Fogg, whose current band at the time needed an opener.The four friends built their relationship on a mutual appreciation for creative diversity. Or, as Howard puts it: “All of our influences were both congruent and very different—it was interesting music in a not so interesting town.”
In simple terms, the Shakes are a “soul revival” band. Howard has the kind of big, pulpit voice reminiscent of soul giants like Aretha or Bettye LaVette. But you won’t find her belting ballads for the cocktail crowd; she’s far too naughty to jive with suits and heels. Unless it’s a zoot suit whose owner is tearing it up on the dance floor, James Brown style. That’s more like it. Because, at the end of the day, the Shakes—as their name implies—seem determined to give their audience a full body jolt. Whether it’s a playful booty shaker (“Hang Loose”) or core-shatteringamore (“You Ain’t Alone”), the band delivers an emotional punch to a generation hell-bent on staring dolefully at the ground. This is rock ‘n soul and it hurts so good.
The Alabama Shakes will be playing select shows with the Drive-By Truckers this fall. They are currently unsigned, but it sounds like the offers are pouring in. Keep up to date on Facebook and listen to songs on Reverbnation.
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