Shakefist

Shakefist was founded in 2005 by guitarists Steven Dezort and Alex Shoff, along with Vocalist Garrett Sandon. After a few months of dabbling with getting serious about the band, they added drummer Tyler Brecino. Without feeling the need for a bassist, they played their first show on 6/6/06. Shakefist played in Billings and the surrounding area regularly for the next year becoming a local favorite and impressing traveling bands passing through until the drummer, Tyler, quit because of musical differences. Alex, Steven, and Garrett felt they had to keep Shakefist alive and continued auditioning drummers for the next year, without much luck. A band friend, Stefan Flores, had just split with his band, Gundown at Sundown, and decided to jam with the 3 remaining members of Shakefist. The song "Warriors" was written during that first jam, and everyone felt there was an overwhelming amount of chemistry.

Shakefist was alive again almost a year after going into hiatus. After much anticipation from local metal fans, the new lineup played their first show on 10/4/08. The show was a huge success, but the sound was lacking the necessary bottom end. Shakefist needed a bass player. Through mutual friends, they met Chris Fox a few days after the show. He was an instant fit with his original bass style that doesn't just follow the guitar riffs. He had about 2 days to practice before playing a show 10/31/08. With a bass player, the sound came together in a way the band hadn't experienced before. The final lineup was complete and it was time for Shakefist to start kickin' some ass.

In the last couple years Shakefist has competed in numerous Project Independent showcases, making the internet finals in 2009. They have been featured on 2 international complilation CD's: Distilled Entertainment Volume III: Sunset Through Silver Eyes out of California, and Quickstar Entertainment's Downtown Metal Volume 4 out of Maryland. Each member has been nominated to receive a "Tuney" award, which is Billings annual music awards, at their respective instrument. Shakefist has been nominated multiple times as a band. Band members have shared the stage with many big acts such as Hemlock, Damiera, Red Fang, I Am the Ocean, The Devil Wears Prada, and Otep. Shakefist's show with Otep at the Railyard Ale House in Billings was that venue's highest selling and attended show in it's history. Shakefist is currently booking tours and looking to sign to the right label.

In and genre where bands like to sing about politics and violence, Shakefist likes to tell stories. Their song topics range from profound to profane, and combined with epic melodies and some of the heaviest guitar riffs in existence, they have managed to capture a very original metal sound. Each member has a different kind of musical influence, ranging from Gojira to Prince, and Red Hot Chili Peppers to Brad Paisley. Because of that they are able to keep reinventing themselves with every new song they right, but still manage to keep that defined "Shakefist" sound. They look forward to rockin' your town very soon!