Biography
Shake Some Action! is a band from Seattle, WA, steeped in the influences of classic pop from the '60s through the '90s. The band was formed in late 2006 by Australian-born singer, guitarist, and songwriter James Hall, who had previously earned a loyal cult following in the Pacific Northwest for his work with his previous band the Jeunes.
While the Jeunes earned enthusiastic press in the US and UK for a single self released EP, the band split up in late 2005 with most of their repertoire unrecorded.
Hall then retreated to his home studio and recorded the first Shake Some Action! album almost entirely solo, save for some lead guitar work by ex-Jeunes member David Bos. Hall and Bos became Shake Some Action's guitarists, while the rhythm section of bassist Gary Miller and drummer Chris Campbell was recruited from fellow Seattle popmeisters the Scheme.
Indie label Satellite 451 Records released the album in January 2007 to a surprising amount of acclaim – immediately landing in heavy rotation on influential Seattle radio station KEXP as well as receiving rave reviews and strong sales worldwide.
"The year has just begun, and already the first knockout by an unknown band from out of left field has arrived." - Sam Gnerre, the Daily Breeze
"a remarkably well-crafted set of jangly power pop packed with rich harmonies and indelible hooks reminiscent of Hoodoo Gurus, the La’s and other pop greats. " - KEXP 90.3 FM
"Sweet multi-layered vocals, chiming Rickenbacker guitars and hooks a plenty. . . . A very impressive debut" - the Rock and Roll Report
"full of hooks and dripping with vocal and instrumental harmonies that would make The La's blush" - Three Imaginary Girls
Their live performances also generated buzz in Seattle, with KEXP Music Director Don Yates commenting: "They rocked up their sound a bit more than their excellent new debut album, and their harmonies sounded great live... it shouldn’t be long before these guys start getting a lot of well-deserved attention", while All Music Guide's Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote of their performance at 2007's Bumbershoot festival: "Armed with two Rickenbacker guitars and endless harmonies, the group is a bunch of unabashed pop classicists, bringing to mind not just '70s power-pop but the heyday of jangle-pop in the '80s, from the REM ringing of the guitars to the Robyn Hitchcock edge delivery from singer/songwriter James Hall. "
Amidst these plaudits in September 2007 came "Live at the Crocodile", a complete recording of their third show at Seattle's legendary Crocodile Cafe which showcased the band's stellar live sound and gave further weight to those glowing live reviews.
Their second studio album "Sunny Days Ahead" was released in June 2008 to universally positive reviews:
"This Seattle band does what other great bands have done, getting better on the follow-up. . . .this record has even more catchy hooks and phenomenal guitar work. Know this band. Listen to this band. Consider where album number three will find them." - John Richards, Seattle Sound / KEXP
"This is a top-notch power pop album that features a number of jangly tracks – like “Hurry Up” (a strong candidate for this month’s Song of the Month honors), “I Don’t Want To Talk About It,” “Unusual Girl” and “Set Me Free. I have said this before: lead vocalist James Hall’s voice reminds me a great deal of Dave Faulkner – the frontman for the Hoodoo Gurus.” - Eric Sorensen, Not Lame Blog
"Shake Some Action! are delivering what people have always wanted from artists like Tom Petty.... a sugary jouissance, pure power-pop enjoyment, but with a strangely adult bite." - Chris Estey, Three Imaginary Girls
"an album of infectious, melodic power pop imbued with the snarl and indignation of punk. . . . there’s an air of spontaneity and looseness here but the songs are all expertly constructed and practically overflowing with ideas. . . . Sunny Days Ahead is a strong contender for SPB album of the year." - Andy Miracle, Seattle Powerpop Blog
Shake Some Action's music has been licensed to Nike, Showtime and Screen Gems and appeared in various advertising campaigns, TV shows and feature films.
Instrumentation
James Hall - vocals, guitar
David Bos - guitar, vocals
Gary Miller - bass, vocals
Chris Campbell - drums, vocals
Discography
Shake Some Action! LP release 01/16/07
Live at the Crocodile LP release 06/26/07
Sunny Days Ahead LP release 06/17/08
Links
| http://shakesomeaction.net |