The Legendary Shack Shakers are certainly a band that’s grown into their name over the past 25 years, and despite having spent half that time without setting foot on Canadian soil, there are certainly a selection of dedicated Canuck fans willing to see them in some unlikely places to get a brief glimpse down the path to Hillbilly Hell that is The Legendary Shack Shakers.
Those of us who’ve been thirsting for that glimpse had a certain expectation that was far surpassed, but it’s exceedingly likely that the remainder of the Winspear’s audience had no real reference point for what was happening in from of them, so when ‘The Colonel JD Wilkes’ & Co started with “Back Door (Come on in, ain’t nobody here but me…)” By Washboard Sam, and gradually played out their own descent into madness - that insanity I’d been waiting to witness, I knew one thing for certain by the time the set was over - The Colonel was just getting warmed up.
The Legendary Shack Shakers’ formulate a blend of Gothic American history, traditional music, punk rock ethos and an on-stage energy the reaches far beyond the confines of its container, and has done so since the mid 1990’s. That presence, along with prolific song writing (both in quantity and quality), a seemingly endless supply of dark & traditional styled artwork, and an undisputed work ethic have built what I can only describe as a perpetual motion machine of rock & roll chaos that can’t seem to release enough music to ever quench its own thirst, nor that if it’s fans.
If you feel like you’re late to the gathering, there’s redemption for you. After what seems like an eternally long time between Canadian tours, the Legendary Shack Shakers have made motions to return to Canada before too long – and to see them play a full set will be a delight.