The Shakers started as a licensing project between long-time friends and musical partners, Chris Lee (of Stillicide) and Ron DiSilvestro (formerly of Head. as well as other local bands). Ron approached Chris with the idea of writing and recording songs of all genres, utilizing Ron’s RDStudios (partnered with Phil Nicolo). Tom Laskas of MilkBoy Records quickly took notice of the early demos, and became the 3rd piece to the puzzle.
Tom Laskas brought with him a wealth of experience, including having managed Sharon Little’s tour with Robert Plant and Allison Krauss and Johnny Lange. It wasn’t long before the trio went into Philly’s own MilkBoy Recording studio to get started on their first record.
The first demos created a loud buzz in the Philly scene. It became clear that this licensing project was meant to transform itself into a show-stopping live performance monster, ready to rock the greatest local scene in any city.
Having laid down the foundation for the record, The Shakers set out to find the perfect “front man” for the project.
In January of 2009, with the help of Mike Lowe Music, LLC (Fat City Reprise, Naeemah and the Celebrities), Chris Lee made a 3-month trek to Los Angeles to continue the search. The search didn’t take long – the “front man” he found happened to be a power house female vocalist with an incredibly sexy style and a jaw-dropping vocal range.
Jodie Schell fit the group to perfection! Jodie, thanks to her experiences in the Automatic Music Explosion (produced by Mike Chapman), brought connections to every major club and venue in LA to the table. She and Chris Lee melded immediately and began preparing for their LA debut.
The Shakers premiered (with the help of their west coast rhythm section, Jeff Covey, bass, and Drew Skinner, drums) on Hollywood’s famous Sunset Strip to a capacity-crowd at The House of Blues. Five days later, the group released their first single from MilkBoy Recording Studios and RDStudios entitled, “Distress Signal.” They crossed to the east coast to be welcomed home to Philadelphia with a sold-out showcase for 93.3 WMMR’s Local Shots Live Cinco De Mayo Bash at Doc Watson’s. The next day, 93.3 WMMR put their single on regular rotation; “Distress Signal” is currently also being sent for circulation nationwide!
The Shakers incorporate a wide range of styles and musical experiences. They live for high-energy shows and passionate song writing. The Shakers gain their inspiration from their supportive friends and family, and their incredibly loyal fanbase. The Shakers aim to put your teeth on the curb while you shake your ass to the ground.
The Shakers Every Wednesday at Kibitz Room!!
The Shakers | MySpace Music Videos
