Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
"The Shots have rejuvenated the pub band sound in much the same way Billy Bragg and Wilco resurrected Woody Guthrie's musings...Singer and songwriter Barry Mullis is a rare talent, masterfully juggling turns at guitar, banjo, and mandolin."
– Dean Blaine, SF Weekly - SF Weekly
Discography
King Ludd, 2002
Climb, 2005
Uncle Jeb, 2006
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Anyone wishing to describe the music of The Shots should take a deep breath before doing so. This band covers so much musical ground that a brief description is impossible.
There are the traditional influences of Ireland & Scotland, the New World influences of Bluegrass, Old-Time & Cajun music and the more contemporary songs of The Beatles, Johnny Cash, Elvis, Bob Dylan, Hank Williams and Nancy Sinatra. Also included in their repertoire is a smattering of show tunes from Johnny Mercer, Irving Berlin & Gus Kahn.
Add to this, their original material that is on a par with all of the above: Ball of Malt, Y Chromosome, Hind Tit, Opus, The Courtesan, from their 2002 CD King Ludd and a collection of new songs from their 2005 CD Climb that includes Sepia, Climb, Definitely Jousting and Achilles. Youll begin to get a sense of the breadth of their output.
The Shots, a four-piece ensemble, pluck, pick, bow and thrash on guitar, banjo, fiddle, Dobro, mandola & bass to bring a set of almost sixty songs and tunes to life during their live shows.
The Shots have performed at The Great American Music Hall & at the annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco, They have played live on KFOGs Morning show, KALWs West Coast Live and the world renowned KPIG in Santa Cruz.
Their CDs, Climb and King Ludd have received airplay on Radio stations across Europe and the US
The Shots:
Barry Mullis
(Vocals / Guitar / Banjo / Mandola / Harmonica / Bodhran)
Barry was born and raised in Co. Mayo in the west of Ireland. Although his first musical influences were specific to home, he cultivated an interest in World Music from an early age. The recordings of Ry Cooder and others introduced him to the music of Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly and from there he delved deeper into the music of Appalachia, The Ozarks and beyond to unearth the styles that continue to permeate his writing and performing.
Priscilla Boyle
(Upright Bass / Backing Vocals)
A native of Northumberland in England, Priscilla studied piano and violin before she turned to Upright Bass. Having lived within spitting distance of Hadrian's Wall (the dividing line between Scotland and England) she absorbed influences from both sides of the border. With a variety of styles including Rockabilly slap bass and fluid Blues runs, she finds just the right accompaniment for each song & tune in the band's set.
Alison Bailey Streich (Violin)
Irish-American, Alison Bailey Streich, has a distinctive, dynamic style of playing, all her own. She attributes her early love of music to her parents who filled the family home with the music of The Bothy Band, The Dubliners, The Clancy Brothers, and Clannad, to name a few. Alison's fiddling is rooted in the Sligo style and she names Kevin Burke as a major influence.
Aaron Balano (Dobro)
A ten year veteran of the resophonic guitar, this San Francisco born Dobro player has served his time with Bluegrass band, Mule Holler and Country band, Blue Country with the great Judy Dobyns. Aaron also plays lap steel with the Western Swing ensemble The Loaded Ponies.
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