THE SHAZAM
The Shazam was rock 'n roll when rock 'n' roll wasn't retro.
Though the British and classic rock influences are apparent in their music, Hans Rotenberry's inspired songwriting, unaffected voice, and sparkling wit shine through to create a style that is uniquely his own. An outstanding rock 'n' roll band armed with nothing but sheer determination, a handful of joyous, uplifting, uncommonly good little Brit-pop ditties, The Shazam launched Nashville's power pop scene in 1995 when most bands were still trying to be Alice in Chains.
Talent and ingenuity set them apart from the parade of copycats that followed, and kept them from getting lost among the hordes of major label "indie" bands and garage rock revivalists in skinny ties and Beatle wigs. But that didn’t stop the most famous of garage rock revivalists, Little Steven van Zandt from proclaiming The Shazam as “one of the best things I’ve heard in twenty f***ing years!”
Power Pop, Garage Rock, Retro, whatever - these labels have been applied but The Shazam are not loyal to any specific sub-genre.
Rotenberry and crew have managed to release five albums of timeless and consistently great material without the aid of a major label or substantial commercial airplay, with years and years of experience on both the tiniest stages, and enormo-domes of the world.
What separates The Shazam from the rest are good taste, the band’s genuine talent, and unwavering devotion to an artistic vision that hearkens back to a time when melody was king and the music spoke for itself, when rock 'n' roll was a cultural force. A genuine living English classic-rock band from Tennessee. Love 'em while you've got 'em.
"Anyway, enough of my yakkin' - let's boogie !" - Di Bergi , '83
Though the British and classic rock influences are apparent in their music, Hans Rotenberry's inspired songwriting, unaffected voice, and sparkling wit shine through to create a style that is uniquely his own. An outstanding rock 'n' roll band armed with nothing but sheer determination, a handful of joyous, uplifting, uncommonly good little Brit-pop ditties, The Shazam launched Nashville's power pop scene in 1995 when most bands were still trying to be Alice in Chains.
Talent and ingenuity set them apart from the parade of copycats that followed, and kept them from getting lost among the hordes of major label "indie" bands and garage rock revivalists in skinny ties and Beatle wigs. But that didn’t stop the most famous of garage rock revivalists, Little Steven van Zandt from proclaiming The Shazam as “one of the best things I’ve heard in twenty f***ing years!”
Power Pop, Garage Rock, Retro, whatever - these labels have been applied but The Shazam are not loyal to any specific sub-genre.
Rotenberry and crew have managed to release five albums of timeless and consistently great material without the aid of a major label or substantial commercial airplay, with years and years of experience on both the tiniest stages, and enormo-domes of the world.
What separates The Shazam from the rest are good taste, the band’s genuine talent, and unwavering devotion to an artistic vision that hearkens back to a time when melody was king and the music spoke for itself, when rock 'n' roll was a cultural force. A genuine living English classic-rock band from Tennessee. Love 'em while you've got 'em.
"Anyway, enough of my yakkin' - let's boogie !" - Di Bergi , '83
The Shazam - Vintage Live Performance Footage
Please do check out PopGeekHeaven
There, you will be able to catch this awesome 2003 performance by The Shazam.
SUPER TUESDAY
The January 31, 2012 New Yorker blog column, CULTURE DESK, has published their Playlist: Songs About Voting, and our very own favorite rock n roll band, The Shazam place #2 (behind Alice Cooper's "Elected") with their classic "Super Tuesday" from their second album, GODSPEED THE SHAZAM.
We couldn't agree more! In 2012, an election year, "Super Tuesday" is THE playlist song of the year. It is as fresh and as relevant as when it was released in 1999. But if you don't have it, it's new to you. Get it on iTunes now!
See The New Yorker page here:
We couldn't agree more! In 2012, an election year, "Super Tuesday" is THE playlist song of the year. It is as fresh and as relevant as when it was released in 1999. But if you don't have it, it's new to you. Get it on iTunes now!
See The New Yorker page here:
Some of the Coolest Songs in the World
Songs featured in advertising and soundtracks...
The Shazam on Little Steven's Underground Garage
Music and Videos
In addition to the clips embedded below, click here for a youtube mix for The Shazam
SUPER TUESDAY
SUNSHINE TONIGHT
RU RECEIVING
LIVE AT ABBEY ROAD with CARL WAYNE AND BEV BEVAN (of THE MOVE)
"I CAN HEAR THE GRASS GROW"
SUPER TUESDAY
SUNSHINE TONIGHT
RU RECEIVING
LIVE AT ABBEY ROAD with CARL WAYNE AND BEV BEVAN (of THE MOVE)
"I CAN HEAR THE GRASS GROW"
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