Thursday, August 30, 2007
10 Questions: The Shake Up
Our newest Sandwich Maker, Slink, enters the canteen munching on a turkey roll and throwing a mouthful of questions (and turkey) at Mike Selwyn from Sydney band, The Shake Up...
So, who is in the band and what do you do?
Miles plays guitar & sings, Daniel plays bass & sings harmonies, Tim hits the drums!
How long have you been a band and how did you get together?
Just over 2 years, but only 4 months with our new drummer, Tim. I met Daniel through a mutual friend (also named Daniel!) and I basically chased him for a year or so to try and get a band together. After parting ways with our previous drummer, we hooked up with Tim through our good friends Brooke & Shane from a fine, yet-now-defunct, band called The Light Brigade.
How did the name The Shake up come about?
The name was Daniel's idea, as he saw the music we're playing and the way we play it akin to giving someone a good shake. If I could quote Stewie from Family Guy: "That's it, shake me like a British nanny!"
What sound has The Shake Up gone for on your recent EP Socio Politico, and how was working with Wayne Connolly?
We went with a very raw, live sound approach, with minimal takes and overdubs. A few have even suggested it sounds like a "live on radio" recording. Wayne was great, very enthusiastic about the tunes! I caught him having a boogie every now and then while I was laying down my vocals.
Your first single "What Are You Worried About?" speaks of disregarding laws and questions... Is this EP a social commentary on Australian life as you see it, and as the title may suggest?
All the songs on the EP are based on the interactions, both positive & negative, I've had with family, friends, and in some cases, the law...
If you could play a gig with any 3 bands in the world, who would it be?
Buzzcocks, The Stooges & Art Brut
Where has your funniest gig been played? And how much of Australia have you seen so far?
Funniest by far would be the 2am free gig we played at Pony in Melbourne, the most eclectic group of punters we've seen yet, and probably the drunkest. We've done as far up as Brisbane and as low as Melbourne. We hope to stretch out to Adelaide and Perth soon and fill in all the regional gaps along the way, Tassie will get a taste too.
What are the bands plans for the rest of 2007?
We're planning the "Punk Du Jour" tour to take place around Nov/Dec which will feature a number of bands we've wanted to play with for quite some time now, and hit as many towns as possible. We'll kick start the recording of our album off the back of this.
If you all could choose a topping for one Sandwich, what would the end result be?
Tasty
MP3: The Shake Up - What Are You Worried About?
myspace - next gig is in Sydney, this Friday @ Spectrum (EP Launch!!)
So, who is in the band and what do you do?
Miles plays guitar & sings, Daniel plays bass & sings harmonies, Tim hits the drums!
How long have you been a band and how did you get together?
Just over 2 years, but only 4 months with our new drummer, Tim. I met Daniel through a mutual friend (also named Daniel!) and I basically chased him for a year or so to try and get a band together. After parting ways with our previous drummer, we hooked up with Tim through our good friends Brooke & Shane from a fine, yet-now-defunct, band called The Light Brigade.
How did the name The Shake up come about?
The name was Daniel's idea, as he saw the music we're playing and the way we play it akin to giving someone a good shake. If I could quote Stewie from Family Guy: "That's it, shake me like a British nanny!"
What sound has The Shake Up gone for on your recent EP Socio Politico, and how was working with Wayne Connolly?
We went with a very raw, live sound approach, with minimal takes and overdubs. A few have even suggested it sounds like a "live on radio" recording. Wayne was great, very enthusiastic about the tunes! I caught him having a boogie every now and then while I was laying down my vocals.
Your first single "What Are You Worried About?" speaks of disregarding laws and questions... Is this EP a social commentary on Australian life as you see it, and as the title may suggest?
All the songs on the EP are based on the interactions, both positive & negative, I've had with family, friends, and in some cases, the law...
If you could play a gig with any 3 bands in the world, who would it be?
Buzzcocks, The Stooges & Art Brut
Where has your funniest gig been played? And how much of Australia have you seen so far?
Funniest by far would be the 2am free gig we played at Pony in Melbourne, the most eclectic group of punters we've seen yet, and probably the drunkest. We've done as far up as Brisbane and as low as Melbourne. We hope to stretch out to Adelaide and Perth soon and fill in all the regional gaps along the way, Tassie will get a taste too.
What are the bands plans for the rest of 2007?
We're planning the "Punk Du Jour" tour to take place around Nov/Dec which will feature a number of bands we've wanted to play with for quite some time now, and hit as many towns as possible. We'll kick start the recording of our album off the back of this.
If you all could choose a topping for one Sandwich, what would the end result be?
Tasty
MP3: The Shake Up - What Are You Worried About?
myspace - next gig is in Sydney, this Friday @ Spectrum (EP Launch!!)
Labels: Interview, The Shake Up