SHADOWCLUB

That Shadowclub planned to record their debut album in just 12 days, but completed it in nine, says much about the Johannesburg- based trio’s attitude to music. Their rootsy, bluesy rock is purposely fuss free. The dozen songs on their debut, ‘Guns & Money’, were recorded live with no guiding track. Modern recording techniques may have been used, but they certainly weren’t relied on. Like the classic rock acts that inspire them, Shadowclub are about powerful songs performed with a passion that explodes from the speakers and, live, can be felt at full force by their fans.
“From the start, this was a back-to-basics band,” explains drummer Isaac Klawansky. “It had to be a three-piece so we could keep it simple. We wanted to make short, fast, banging tracks. Basically, music that was fun to play live and easy for a crowd to connect with.”
With ‘Guns & Money’, Shadowclub have succeeded in doing just that. The album’s title track is a furiously-paced, feel-good rocker, driven by an insistent, funk-fuelled bassline, cacophonous drums and a hip-shaking groove. You’ll hear shades of The Doors and The Ramones, snarled, seductive vocals and woo-hoos that cry out to be chanted back. On the woozy, bluesy ‘ Lucy’, a desolate Jacques Moolman describes leaving home for the first time and, intriguingly, recasts himself as a girl. ‘Good Morning Killer’ is a snappy song that recalls The Strokes, manages to be sexy and sleazy at the same time, and is based on the tale of a serial killer who is also a lover. Elsewhere, you’ll spot hints of The Who, The White Stripes, John Lee Hooker and Howlin’ Wolf.... (Snippets of a biography written by Lisa Verrico, The Times, London, June 2011)

Accomplishments so far...

-Supported UK band FEEDER on their 2010 tour to S.A.

-Signed to S.A Indie label JUST Music in Feb 2011.

-Released Debut Album ‘Guns And Money’ in July 2011 to critical acclaim.

-First single ‘Guns And Money’ was play listed shortly thereafter on National and Campus radio stations across the country.

-The ‘Guns And Money’ official music video was play listed on South African premier rock n roll music video television channel MK, as well as across other television channels across the country.

-The ‘Guns And Money’ official video reached no.1 on the MK official chart.

-‘Guns And Money’ reached no.1 on Jon Savages (5fm DJ) local rock n roll chart.

-Second single ‘Good Morning Killer’ was play listed on National and Campus radio stations across the country.

-The ‘Good Morning Killer’ official music video was play listed on MK, as well as across other television channels across the country.

-‘Good Morning Killer’ reached no.12 on 5fm’s international top 40 chart.

-Shadowclub were chosen to support Kings Of Leon on their 2011 tour to S.A.

-Shadowclub were Nominated for 3 MK awards in Feb 2012, in the categories BEST ROCK, BEST GROUP, BEST NEWCOMER.

-Voted The Star Tonight’s (South Africas Largest newspaper) best rock n roll band of 2011

-Nominated for 2 SAMA (South African Music Awards) in March 2012, in the categories BEST ROCK, BEST NEWCOMER.

-Won the SAMA (South African Music Award) for the BEST ROCK category in April 2012.

-Shadowclub were chosen to perform at the 2012 SAMA (South African Music Awards). They are the first rock n roll band in 10 years who were chosen to perform at the main ceremony.

-Have toured the country relentlessly for the past year.

-Have headlined all of South Africas major and minor music festivals.