You'd better rock pretty damn hard to share bills with Mudhoney and Zen Guerrilla, but that's a challenge that Shake City have already embraced in their first year together. Assembled from the shards of what were the Gimmicks, the Knock-Ups, and the Satisfiers, Shake City recently released a self-titled EP on Denim Records and are in the process of plotting their first West Coast tour. Guitarist/vocalist Mark Starr loves Sly and the Family Stone as much as he does the Hellacopters, but clearly guides the band toward a collective appreciation for the sharper edges of late '60s and '70s rock. Shake City play Sit & Spin on Sunday July 7.
You're obviously a rock-loving guy--from the Stones to Zen Guerrilla. What's the most "un-rock" artist or album you adore? "Françoise Hardy--I adore her so much I named my cat after her."
What's your favorite thing to eat when you're hungover? "Nothing. Chances are, if I'm hungover I puked what I ate the night before. Usually all I want to do is lay around and watch TV."
Would you say you're disciplined in your approach to writing and rehearsing music? Do you think you work hard enough? "I love playing music, but I'm lazy like every other musician. I just want easy livin', the world of luxury, and rock 'n' roll all night long!"
Do you consider yourself patriotic? I really like big, bubbly bicentennial lettering, red-white-and-blue bellbottoms, Wayne Kramer's stars-and-stripes guitar, the movie Spirit of '76 with David Cassidy, and Redd Kross; and of course, I'm a freedom-lurvin' 'mer'can.
What's the best thing you've ever found in a thrift store? "I can't pick out one thing. Just when I think I have my dream find, I come up with even more. If you saw our place you would understand."
When was the last time you were genuinely surprised by something? "When The Stranger asked Shake City to do a bio box!"
