The Shakedown

Artist Information

Biography

The Shakedown is an original Rock & Roll band drawing inspiration from American roots music.

Currently the band is supporting it's debut album "Wild & Free," which was produced by Doug Easley of the famed Easley-McCain Recording in Memphis, TN. The band is also working hard to finish their episode of Sun Studio Sessions filmed during the recording of "Wild & Free."

Based in Upstate, NY, the band was formed in 2008 and began a tremendous run at the world famous Dinosaur BBQ in both Syracuse & Rochester. The group later appeared at such festivals as Taste of Syracuse and the Jameseville Balloonfest, which gave them exposure to thousands of new fans. After performing throughout New York including a gig at Sullivan Hall in New York City, The Shakedown took a major step forward with their work in Memphis with legendary indie producer Doug Easley (Wilco, White Stripes, Pavement). The band completed a 14-track original album entitled "Wild & Free."

While working in Memphis the band had a dream opportunity to record & film a performance at the legendary Sun Studio where Rock & Roll music was born. That session will be the subject of a DVD to be released in 2012.

Currently, the band is assembling an active schedule of appearances in support of "Wild & Free" that will take them throughout the U.S. and Canada.

"We look forward to making as many new friends as possible and sharing our songs with those seeking music that speaks to their soul!"

Instrumentation

Sean Patrick Taylor - Guitar, Lead Vocals
Shane Kelsen - Vocals, Piano/Keyboards
Susan Royal - Vocals, Drums
Matthew Zych - Vocals, Bass

Discography

"Wild & Free"
Produced by: Doug Easley & The Shakedown
Completed: December 2010
Release date: 1-11-11

"The Shakedown LIVE at Sun Studio"
Produced by: Sean T. Faust, Matt Ross-Spang,
James Lott & The Shakedown
Recorded: July 2010
Estimated Release Date: 2012

Official Website

http://theshakedown.com

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace

Audio

• Get Back to Mine
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• Valerie
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• Ramblers & Roses
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• EZ4U
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• By Dozens
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• Blonde (In the Wintertime)
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• Say Goodnight
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Lyrics

• Blonde (In the Wintertime)
• By Dozens
• Lost & Gone
• Resolutions

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Album Review: "Wild & Free" by The Shakedown [+ Show ]
  

  In no way do I wish to pigeon-hole The Shakedown, but there’s a certain vibe they emanate. Shane Kel...In no way do I wish to pigeon-hole The Shakedown, but there’s a certain vibe they emanate. Shane Kelsen on Piano/Keyboards and Vocals, Susan Royal; Drums and Vocals, Sean Patrick Taylor; Guitars and Vocals and Matt Zych on Bass and Vocals make up the band whose Memphis/Delta groove is highlighted on their first full-length release. Perhaps recording some of it in Memphis had its hand in the dish, but the feel is too natural to be transplanted, it comes from inside this musical melting pot.
  
  While each voice comes to the front through the cd (which I love!), when they blend the combining souls of the unit join beautifully. Their stellar group of guests, plus sensitive hands on the production and engineering give “Wild and Free” all of the space it wants yet none it doesn’t need.
  
  The band eases from spiritual to sultry, bar-room bluesy to honky-tonk, not skipping a beat in between. Their own take on each reflecting the flexibility of the group, while keeping you guessing about where all of these personalities come from. There’s absolutely no question left in the results, each song holds it own individually as well as being a piece in the bigger puzzle. From the spirituality of “Lost and Gone” to the sultry “EZ4U” through the wanting of “Dashboard Jesus” and the signature closer “Say Goodnight” poises The Shakedown right where they want to be. Easy to feel and move your feet to while reflecting the diversity of each member and the beautiful music they make together. Very nicely done y’all, very nice indeed.

• THE SHAKEDOWN CELEBRATES CD RELEASE AT DINOSAUR [+ Show ]
  

  "Its been an eventful half year for Syracuse band The Shakedown. In July, we went to Memphis and had..."Its been an eventful half year for Syracuse band The Shakedown. In July, we went to Memphis and had the week of our lives, Taylor says of himself, Susan Royal, Matt Zych and Shane Kelsen. It started with a session we recorded and filmed at Sun Studio, the birthplace of rock n roll. It was done by the same crew as the PBS series Sun Studio Sessions, which as recently featured Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Steven Kellogg and the Sixers, Syracuse native Jay Nash and Jakob Dylan. Were hoping to release a DVD from that in the coming year. The rest of the week was spent working every day in the studio of Doug Easley, one of the great indie producers of the last 20 years. We tracked 14 songs that make up our debut release entitled Wild & Free. The CD is in, and the party to release it is 10 p.m. Saturday at the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, 246 W. Willow St., Syracuse. Guests will include Mikey Powell and John Hanus, who both also appear on the album."
  - Mark Bialczak, The Post Standard (Dec 16, 2010)

• The Shakedown Ready to Party at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que after Syracuse University-Villanova Game [+ Show ]
  

  "The citizens of Syracuse may be ready for one great, big celebration after Syracuse University tang..."The citizens of Syracuse may be ready for one great, big celebration after Syracuse University tangles with Big East rival Villanova on the Carrier Dome basketball court on Saturday night. Or ... Well, we won't even go there. Sean Taylor reports his Syracuse band, The Shakedown, will be "treating it as a post-game party" Saturday night at the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, at West Willow and Franklin streets. Taylor and band mates Sue Royal, Matt Zych and Shane Kelsen will be "playing a number of our own originals as well as some great covers by The Band, Louis Armstrong, Sam Cooke, Dylan, The Beatles and more." The Shakedown is working on a CD. Two tunes are available on The Shakedown's myspace page. "We're headed to Brooklyn in two weeks to cut a few more tracks, then hopefully print the album by our appearance at Taste of Syracuse on June 5," Taylor says. Taylor will play a solo gig at the Dinosaur on Monday, too."
  - Mark Bialczak, The Post Standard

Setlist

Grand Central
EZ4U
By Dozens
Move on Down the Road
Ramblers & Roses
Valerie
Get Back to Mine
Blonde (In the Wintertime)
Whiskeytown
Resolutions
Say Goodnight

Basic Requirements

Calendar