Album continues musical evolution

Shakes and the Swell Guys: (from left) Shakes, aka Chris Prendergast, Euan Morell, Tony Ryder and...
Shakes and the Swell Guys: (from left) Shakes, aka Chris Prendergast, Euan Morell, Tony Ryder and Graeme Dooley. Photo supplied.
Dunedin guitarist, singer and songwriter Shakes, aka Chris Prendergast, continues his musical evolution, celebrating the release of a live album at the Robbie Burns Hotel tonight.

Shakes and the Swell Guys' Live at the Dunedin Musicians' Club comes a decade after Shakes released a self-titled album in 2004 and documents a few changes in the band's composition over that time.

Tony Ryder, bass player for the Swell Guys, remains. However, Canadian guitarist Antony Pavlic has departed, making way for local Scotsman Euan Morell, whose lead guitar work provides contrasting as well as sympathetic riffs to Shakes' rhythm guitar.

Long-time drummer Ian Henderson, founder of Dunedin's Fishrider Records and sticksman for the Dark Beaks and the Puddle, has also moved on, replaced by Graeme Dooley, who has added the Djembe drum to the band's percussion tones.

Shakes says Dooley's strong association with the Dunedin Musicians' Club partly inspired the decision to perform there, Dunedin engineer Ian Sweetman capturing the unique acoustics and vibe of the venue.

''The album comprises old stuff and newer stuff,'' Shakes explained.

''It was recorded in front of a small but enthusiastic crowd at the musos' club in 2012. Luckily, we had Ian Sweetman there with all this lovely gear and he told us after the gig that he had recorded it. Therefore, we were able to make an album out of it.

''We didn't realise we were even being recorded. I guess you don't get nervous then.''

The songs on Live at the Dunedin Musicians' Club, all written by Shakes, could be regarded as a celebration of the electric guitar, given the dominance of the instrument: Girls mixes silky slide work with a bluesy, swampy rhythm; Oh To Go Away is firmly encamped in Dunedin's jangle-pop tradition; You Need Love touches on the pub-rock stylings of Dragon and Th' Dudes; while Motorbike, Surf Cowboy and Surf Dance offer a trilogy that covers both the clean, clanky attack of American legend Dick Dale and the dirty grunge of, say, The Cramps.

Shakes has an interesting musical CV, one that includes a myth: after a brief stint as bass player in Chris Knox's infamous line-up The Enemy (which morphed into Toy Love), he left because he couldn't make up his mind whether he was a punk or a surfer, contrary to urban lore suggesting he was sacked by Knox.

Regardless, Shakes went on to join The Terls, before heading to Auckland and playing guitar in Tomorrow's Parties, which secured support slots with Graham Brazier and Icehouse; in 1983, he returned to Dunedin and joined Rhythm Cocktail, a six-piece line-up that included a brass section; in 1995 he joined Tuatara; and in 1998, he formed Stingray, a party band incorporating Shakes' own material as well as covers.

Given the irrepressible Shakes (55) has about 40 more songs up his sleeve, he has plans to record again.

''Once this release party is over, we'll get back into the writing room. But, really, we've got some back catalogue to deal with as well.''


See them, hear them
Shakes and the Swell Guys launch Live at the Dunedin Musicians' Club at the Robbie Burns Hotel tonight. Music from 9.30pm until late. Entry is free. CD $20.


Regular columnist Sam Valentine is taking a break from Suitable Alternative, but will return later in the year. 

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