January Shakeletter: Well, Oh Well Sneak-Peak!

Hey Everyone,

December Shakeletter: New Year, New Drummer

November Shakeletter: Showcase Showdown
11/29/07

Hey Everybody

We hope you all enjoyed a lovely Thanksgiving holiday, and that life has been treating you well. As usual, we've got a lot to say this month, so we'll get to it.

Let's start with one of the most exciting gigs we've ever played - the Universal Records Showcase at Club Midway. With 4 other bands performing, we had to bring our absolute best performance in order to stick out and make an impression. Thanks in no small part to a great crowd, we rocked the club, making some nifty industry contacts after the gig. It was a thrilling night.

Another thing that's been getting us excited has been the success of the brand new video for our single "Manic Boogie." After less than 6 weeks of release, we've got over 2,300 individual hits on YouTube alone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMaHKNDl9Ak). Adding to the video's popularity have been mentions in New York daily newspapers Newsday and the New York Post, as well as placements on high profile websites such as www.B50V.com, where the video currently ranks #20 on the top entertainment videos.

Also, the video is currently in the semifinals of the OurStage.com music video competition - putting it in the Top 10 most popular videos out of 420 submissions.

Adding to that, we've been reviewed in the popular music video review site Killed By The Video Star. Here's a clip:
"Simple concept + stellar execution = viral video primed to explode...the video and song are permanently affixed to my cerebral cortex as a spastic reminder for me to send the link to my friends."

And...for those of you who just can't get enough of the video, we've posted a "Making Of The Video" clip on YouTube, so you can get an in-depth look into how the video was made, and how much fun it was.

As usual, we'll leave you with some clips from some good 'ol fashioned reviews of our critically acclaimed debut album Kick It:

Detour Magazine (intro to interview):
http://detour-mag.com/assets/2007/11/16/meet-greet-the-shake/
"There's probably a group like the Shake in your town, or even in the dormitory next door — smart, music nerd types who were born with the best record collection on the planet and can write songs in their sleep. And yet, while every town has a band with the perfect influences from three decades of pop music and rock-and-roll, it's rare that every town's version can find anything of themselves inside all that well-intentioned artifice."

Eartaste Magazine:
http://eartaste.blogspot.com/search?q=the+shake
"This fun music starts the party with excitement..., it's great fun, but better yet – the music is real & exciting"

Oh, and before we leave you for another month, we thought you might like to know that we've finished recording tracks for our new album. Keep an eye out for a sneak peek in January. This one's gonna blow your mind.


Cheers until then,
Jon, Eliad, Jeremy & Andrew

September (and October) ShakeLetter: Music Video!
10/17/07

Hi Everybody

We apologize for the extreme tardiness of this month's update, but there was something that took a little longer to finalize than we'd anticipated. We'll get to that in just a bit.
Let's start with our most important gig yet!

On Saturday night, OCTOBER 27, we will be playing a Universal Records Showcase event at Club Midway, on 25 Avenue B. This is a show for A&R representatives from major record labels, but it is open to the public. We take the stage at 10 PM. This is the show to come out to and support us!
Get all the info here:
www.rocknewyorkcity.com


And now on to another momentous Shake occasion: the release of our first music video! Directed and produced by the team of Powell Weaver and Nick Korbee, and filmed in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, the video for "Manic Boogie" is as wild and crazy as the song! You won't be disappointed, so please check it out at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMaHKNDl9Ak

On a completely different note, this has certainly been one of the most interesting months in Shake history. To make a long story short, we were asked to perform at a theater in Princeton University supporting ex-Phish guitarist/singer Trey Anastasio. We giddily posted this on our Myspace, and instantly became the talk of many major online Phish forums. This drew many new listeners to our page, and things were great! However, we were then told that Trey was on probation and that his appearance could not be officially confirmed.
As it stands now, the show date is unclear, although Tom Marshall and Amfibian are confirmed. An appearance by Trey is still unconfirmed, but we know that he's been playing other shows lately, and there might be a chance that he'll show. Of course, we will keep you posted.

Now back to some normal stuff...
In addition to continued online radio play (Frequency and Princes & Kings), we were featured in the Queens Tribune recently.

And as usual, we're still racking up the positive press. Here are some excerpts from recent Reviews:
"(It's) absolutely addictive...They're so obviously in this to make music that they enjoy..., it's the wide array of influences that make it into something both fresh and fun... you'll be dying for more. It's unbelievably tight and just made for repeated listens...they've set expectations high." - 411 Mania

" They are that fantastic band that only you know among your circle of friends, that you want to share with everyone and at the same want to keep it a secret. Their songs are riddled with countless infectious beats and hooks, that I can't help to start dancing or at least tapping my toe when I hear them." - Radiotrash

And we were lucky enough to get not one, but TWO reviews in Pop Syndicate. For simplicity's sake, we'll lump them together:
"Looking for some fun rock'n'roll with no boy band vocals, prima donna ex-Disney or American Idol tramps, or tripe lyrics about that sexy thing in the club that you would like to...? How about something that combines a little rockabilly with some snippets of punk and good ol' fashion T-shirt and blue jean bar band rock? ...
This is a great collection of straight-ahead, take no prisoner's rock that is just as fitting in classic rock as it is in the Alt scene. The Shake has crafted a record that feels at both timeless and ultra current. It works on many levels."
- Pop Syndicate
ALSO, we're heading into the studio again this month to lay down some more new tracks, as we continue to write for our new album.

That's all for now folks, we'll see you on the 27th!

Cheers

Jon, Eliad, Jeremy & Andrew
The Shake

August ShakeLetter: Greetings from Ellis Island!
8/30/07

Hi Everybody,

We hope this update finds you well, and that you are enjoying what
remains of this glorious summer. As usual, we're here to report to
you what's been going on with New York City's hottest rock band, The
Shake. And there's a lot to report, so let's get to it.

This past Wednesday night (8/29), The Shake rocked out for Columbia
University's freshman class at ELLIS ISLAND as part of the school's
"Welcome Week." Nearly 3,000 students came out to see us! It was an
amazing experience to see so many people who didn't know our music,
dancing and head banging as if they were hearing their favorite songs.
It was really a special night.

Before that gig, on 8/7, The Shake shared the stage with another NYC
buzz-band, BAND OF THIEVES (www.myspace.com/wearebandofthieves) at the
Knitting Factory. Those of you who are fans of the band Midway will
recognize Tyler, their former guitarist, who is Band of Thieves'
current lead singer. They're great musicians and a great band . It
was a pleasure playing with such an up-and-coming act. Oh, and the
afterparty wasn't half bad either.

In other significant news, we've become the latest band to join the
impressive roster of clients celebrating an endorsement deal with
FIRST ACT GUITARS. This is no small deal. Guitarists from bands such
as Maroon 5, Franz Ferdinand, Cheap Trick, the Cure, and the Yeah Yeah
Yeahs all use First Act guitars regularly. We're truly honored to
join this esteemed group of musicians. Check out www.firstact.com to
see their line of instruments.

Also, we have been taking over online radio! Our track "Outcast" was
played on Sunday 8/26 on Blue Crystal Radio
(www.radiocrystalblue.com), and we also recorded a full in-studio
performance for the popular BreakThru Radio. The performance is
available for streaming in www.breakthruradio.com's archive under DJ
Jeff K.

And remember way back when we were in that License to Wed movie?
Well, the soundtrack has finally been released on Bulletproof Records!
Our track "Let Me Take You Far Away" is featured alongside songs by
artists such as The Beach Boys, The Righteous Brothers and Al Green.
You can find the soundtrack in any record store, as well as at
amazon.com and the iTunes store.

In other exciting news, we are putting the finishing touches on our
first music video, for our breakout single "Manic Boogie," found our
debut CD Kick It. As soon as the video is ready for the public eye,
we will post it online and let you know.

And what would a ShakeLetter be without a review of Kick It?
Well, this past month we got our most prominently placed review yet in
SKOPE Magazine (p 84). You can pick up the magazine at any Barnes &
Noble and Borders.

Check out this quote:
"The Shake's CD [Kick It] has been highly praised, boosting the band
from just another generic Indie band to a breakout act compared to the
Kinks and other bands of the so-called British Invasion...a rough,
edgy sound with myriad influences and undertones. Kick It has trashy
drums and imperfect vocals, making it feel British, yet "New York"
enough to pass as legitimate...it's altogether new and different than
most indie rock bands."

And if you're curious why we haven't mentioned any upcoming gigs,
that's because we're going to be hard at work in the studio in
September, recording tracks for what will hopefully be our 2nd album.
But don't worry, we've got a few gigs in the works.

We know this letter hasn't been the most coherent, but we just had to
tell you all of our various bits of news.

Cheers until next time

June News Updates: Who Wants to Go to the Movies?
6/29/07

Hi Everybody,

Hope you're all enjoying your summers. And what better way to enjoy a
summer evening than at the movies? Well, when you check out
LICENSE TO WED, featuring Robin Williams, Mandy Moore and John
Krasinski (Jim from "The Office"), you'll hear our song Let Me Take
You Far Away.

We can't tell you where it appears in the movie
because we don't even know ourselves, but check out the film when it
comes out on JULY 3RD and see if you can spot our tune! You can also
pick up the soundtrack, released by Warner Bros., which features us,
in addition to songs by Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart and the Bee Gees.

Also, we have a gig coming up in a couple of days!
The Shake is playing the Knitting Factory's prestigious Main Stage for
the 6th time on JULY 1ST. Joining us will be Crown Victoria, The
Nineteen-Sixties and Big Blue Accident.
We take the stage at 9 PM. See you there!

We have a lot more great news to report though. This past month we
played gigs at the Mercury Lounge, as well as Mexicali Blues in
Teaneck, NJ. A local Jersey paper ran a full page article about the
show!

And of course, a Shake Letter would not be complete with more reviews
of our debut CD "Kick It."

Aha! Blog Review ( http://ahablogolicious.blogspot.com/search?q=the+shake )
"I could hear ghosts of the Kinks and the Yardbirds here as well as
typical rockabilly rocking and rolling combined with Pink Floyd like
psychedelic guitar runs, all intermixed together...They definitely
shake it up and prove that music doesn't have to be repetitive and
duplicative."

Glorious Noise Review
( http://www.gloriousnoise.com/reviews/2007/the_shake_kick_it.php )
"The Shake makes a polished debut..."8 O'Clock" and "Let Me Take You
Far Away" are both bright, catchy tunes, recalling the British
Invasion but charming in their own right. "Stop Fighting," the bonus
track, has the same snappy tunefulness. And the opener, "Princes and
Kings," has a great classic-rock opening riff."

Surviving the Golden Age Review
( http://survivingthegoldenage.blogspot.com/2007/06/shake-kick-it.html)
"They mix big guitar riffs with pounding bass and driving drums...They
have been hailed by many to be one of the finest bands in the New York
underground. Kick It finds the band at the peak of their game."

Metro Spirit Review

http://www.metrospirit.com/index.php?cat=1993101070394080&z_Issue_ID=11012606070480226&ShowArticle_ID=11012806073058085
"If this band boarded a time machine and went back to the years of 1965-68, The Shake would have a No.1 hit song, just like they will have hits in the present day...The Shake has molded its own sound by understanding that rock bands of the past have laid down elements of sound that creates the foundation for music of the future. All the songs I've reviewed are potential hit songs."

And lastly, Jon turns 21 on Saturday June 30, so wish him a happy birthday.

We can only hope that Summer 2007 is as kind to us as the Spring has been.

Cheers and see you all soon!

Jon, Eliad, Jeremy and Andrew
The Shake

We're Gonna be in a Movie!
6/8/07

Our track "Let Me Take You Far Away" will be included on the soundtrack, and featured in the major motion picture LICENCE TO WED, coming out July 3rd, starring Robin Williams.

So be sure to check out the movie, and listen for our song!!

The Shake to be played on National Radio!
6/7/07

On Sunday night, June 10th, check out the Undiscovered Radio Show
at www.UndiscoveredRadioNetwork.com
or on these radio afffiliates:

KERX FM/Ft. Smith, AR (Sunday 8-10pm/Central).
WAMX FM/Huntington, WV (Sunday 10pm-MN/Eastern).
WEGW FM/Wheeling, WV (Sunday 11pm-1am/Eastern).
WHBR FM/Parkersburg, WV (Sunday 10pm-MM/Eastern).

News, Reviews and Updates!
6/1/07

Hi Everybody!

May was another great month for us, as we played our biggest and best gig at New York's legendary Mercury Lounge. What's even better is that we've been asked back, and we're playing there again on Sunday June 10, so save the date! Also, we saw the official release of our debut CD "Kick It," which was mentioned in sources such as MTV News and Alternative Press Online.

Before we get to the new reviews, we've got some more shows to announce.

In addition to
Sunday, June 10 @ Mercury Lounge

We have...

Sunday June 24 @ Mexicali Blues (Benefit Show)
Sunday July 1 @ Knitting Factory Main Space

And here's a sampling of some more of the great press we've been getting for our freshman effort, "Kick It":

Aced Magazine - this whole review is really worth reading ( http://acedmagazine.com/content/view/183/1/ ):

"Let's face it, The Shake has definite talenture and simple. If Jon Merkin's charismatic, sexy vocals and rebellious attitude don't spring at you like a wild wolf, then the melodies and rhythms will!
This is the kind of stuff that makes mild-mannered folk jump up on desks, in reckless abandonment, and act out the last scene from "Dead Poet's Society", because the beat, the rhythm, the gutsy "come-and-get-me" lyrics, sung like someone has a Cheshire-Cat smile crazy-glued to their face, are beyond irresistible.
Someone needs to explain why this band isn't on the radio yet...What? Not commercial enough? Doesn't have a gimmick? Well, Duh! That's what pure, unadulterated, long-lasting alternative punk/rock is! No commercials! No gimmicks! It's so ridiculously good, all-natural rock.
When the music is this incredible, you don't need flamboyance, over-wrought with cheesy commercialism. This band is so good, it's anyone's guess why they haven't been granted the exposure and laud they so richly deserve!"

RockNWorld
http://www.rocknworld.com/features/07/TheShake.shtml

"If you like big guitar riffs, rumbling bass lines, and hard-hitting drums, this is a band you should check out."

Pop Matters (http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/the-shake-kick-it/ )
"Kick It plays it straight, with plenty of immediately likeable garage rock....with all they've got going for them, who wouldn't want to kick it with The Shake?"

On Brooklyn Radio, ( http://brooklynradio.net//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=582&Itemid=44 ) each member of The Shake talked about an album that they had recently been listening to. We discussed The Fratellis, Girl Talk, Circa Survive and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.

ALSO We're heading into the studio this month to work on some new tracks that might be included on our next CD, whenever that may be released...

All in all, another exciting month for The Shake. We hope to see you at our shows in June! You can get all your Shake news and info at:
www.myspace.com/theshakeband
www.wearetheshake.com

Vote For us At NME Breaking Bands!
5/29/07

Head over to www.nme.com/newmusic/the-shake to vote for The Shake. If we get enough votes, we play on the NME US tour!!

The Shake Wow the Mercury Lounge
5/16/07

Thanks to everyone who came out for our show last night at the Mercury Lounge.  It was our best one yet, and we couldn't have done it without a roomfull of loud, excited fans. You guys are the best.

If you missed the show, then stop feeling left out and check out this video clip that a fan posted on Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkIkaMuEAHc

We love the internet.

See all of you soon!

We Really Like This Review. Really.
5/11/07

New Dates Announced
5/02/07

April Update
5/01/07

New Radio Appearances and Album Reviews
3/21/07

Here is an update on the phenomenal press that "Kick It" has been receiving across the media world:

RADIO:

University of Delaware - Friday 3/23 6-7:30PM
http://www.wvud.org/listen_online.htm

Radio Crystal Blue (www.live365.com) - Sunday 3/25 7PM-1AM
www.live365.com/stations/142950
Click the yellow 'mic' button on the station page. If the button is greyed
out, it will NOT play.
However if it's lit up and clickable, it will open the listening window.

ONLINE REVIEWS AND FEATURES:

rockandrollreport.com - great album review!

starshipoverflow.com - CD of the Week!!

So, listen in and read up, and catch the Shake fever!

The Shake to Appear on FEARLESS MUSIC
03/16/07

That's right, folks, the Shake has taken its incredibly energetic and highly praised live performance to the airwaves with an upcoming appearance on the nationally syndicated show Fearless Music.

The taping, which took place March 2, featured three songs from their forthcoming Unicycle Records debut Kick It, including lead single "Manic Boogie," the controversial "Dying Ain't the End of the World," and the frenetic "Outcast."

Although a specific airdate has yet to be announced, the segment is slated to air on New York's FOX 5-TV as well as affiliates across the country.

Stay tuned for more details.

The Shake to be Featured on the Radio
03/15/07

That's right.  Friday the 23rd, from 6-7:30, your favorite New York rockers will have a few tunes from their debut album played on 91.3 WVUD.  Listen online at
http://www.wvud.org/listen_online.htm.

We hope you all tune in!

New Album Review and Interview
03/15/07

Check out www.lucidforge.com to read a brand new review of our CD "Kick It" (click on "Album Reviews") as well as an interview with Jon and Eliad. 
Here is the direct link to the interview: http://www.lucidforge.com/interviews/interview-with-music-band-the-shake.html?Itemid=59

Enjoy!

Victory at Columbia's Battle of the Bands
02/26/07

We are proud to announce our dominating victory at tonight's battle of the bands.  Competing with 5 other bands, we showed a crowd of hundreds why they should care about The Shake.  Thanks to all who came, you witnessed something epic.
The Shake will put its prize money toward a bitchin' tour bus.

Amie Street Really Loves The Shake
2/19/07

Results from the Nextbighit.com Poll
2/19/07

First of all, a great big giant thank you goes out to everyone who voted for us.

Right now, it looks as though we've secured ourselves a spot in the final round at the end of the current "season."  So basically, we could still win the grand prize, which is sweet.

Thanks again, you guys rock.

Amie Street Loves The Shake
12/20/06

Shake Clips Appear on Youtube.com
12/14/2006

In case you've missed the recent Shake action, or you just can't get enough, check out these clips from two of our recent gigs!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0ELsJuXXU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snk5FD0jVlU&NR

Now you know, and knowing is half the battle.