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
