The Shambles formed in 1990, the band line up consist of life long friends Bart Mendoza (vocals/guitar) and Kevin Donaker-Ring (guitar/vocals), as well as Mark Z (bass) and Todd Woolsey (drums.) Recently Mark has decided to put his touring days behind him, with Orrick Smith (bass/guitar) and Kenny Howes (guitar/bass) stepping in to the void.
If the names of the musicians sound a bit familiar, the bands various members previously performed with such leading lights of 80s mod / garage / powerpop favorites as Manual Scan, The Crawdaddys and the Mystery Machine, while Kenny has a string of great solo albums to his credit.
The quartet takes sixties pop, garage, folk and 70's am radio, and mixes it with pre 1970 Disney, soundtracks, r&b, rock, late seventies punk, and Spanish ballads, the result a collection of songs that are all about the hook and the musicianship to back it up.
The Shambles have toured extensively and performed in Mexico, Spain, England and throughout the U.S, appearing in concert as well as on TV and radio. They've also contributed to over three dozencompilation albums, and have released four albums to date. Read more about the Shambles at: www.theshambles.net
THE SONGS OF THE SHAMBLES
JAM RECORDS, presents this fabulous 24 track tribute cd with an incredible rosterof power pop artist from around the world, who pay proper respect to San Diego's Legendary Mod Pop Masters "The Shambles", on behalf of their remarkable songwriting, outstanding performances and heart felt delivery of their songs...
Forty One Sixty, is a marvelous kaleidoscopeof songs with great stylistic diversity, as each of the individual artist and bands take on the songs of the Shambles in thier own unique forms, keeping the album artistic and refreshing throughout.
Among several of the songs that passionately minister the sounds of the 60's include the Yeh-Yeh of England, who reveal thier Brit Accented powpop version of "And We Still Feel the Same", followed by The Lola's energetic blast of catchy guitar rifs and thunderous drums on "I Can't Don't Want To Faster". Slowing things down a bit comes The Andersons bringing us "Rain or Shine" formulated in a chirpy Byrds style pop-rock. Whilst, motoring right along joyouslycomes Mod Fun on "Nothing Can Be Everything" and The Ringles with the uncensurable "Innocence Becomes You". Jeremy performs "I Believe" in his heavenly Lennon style vocals and rickenbacker jangles, with Herb Eimerman stepping into the light keeping up the pace with his sunshiney pop on "All Sorts", proceededby an array of colors comes The Truckee Brothers with their psychedelic folk-rock approach on "The Waiting Game".
Some of the accompanying songs included on this compilation, although characteristic of the sixties pop formulas that take on a more 70's - 80's hybrid avenue are Static Halo on "The American Way", Mark Le Gallez & The Eddies with "Don't Know Where To Start", The Hipnotes on "Change" and After The Glow with "Of Heart & Soul", among others! Whereas, a few of the other tracks are more current and commercial sounding pop-rock, with a couple beautifully performed acoustic songs such as Demarks Liebling on "Survive" and Marie Haddad with "Where You Are" delivered in divinely elegantvocals over a semi acoustic piano ballad for a splendid touch of charm!
Forty One Sixty is a magnificent CD, Highly recommended!
Reviewed by:Jan (editor)
1. Static Halo (San Diego) - The American Way (Mendoza)
2. Yeh-Yeh (England) - And We Still Feel The Same (Mendoza)
3. Mark Le Gallez & The Eddies (UK/US) - Don't Know Where To Start (Donaker-Ring)
24. Mega Super Ultra (Illinois) - Confidence & Love (Mendoza)
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