The Shanks head back to Europe to support Imperial State Electric on 4 live dates of their upcoming Spanish tour, re-joining their producer Nicke Andersson and sound engineer Ola Ersfjord while making new friends in Asturian, Galician, Andalusian lands as well as Madrid, of course. Pistolwhip von Shankenstein and Colonel Crankshaft’s Spanish adventures will be chronicled photographically for posterity, whilst we expect this to be the first of many Spanish tours for The Shanks. There’s something about The Shanks and Spain…!
Category Archives: European News
The Shanks announced for SXSW ’17
Following the release of their fifth studio album “Prisons of Ecstasy”, recorded in Sweden with Nicke Andersson and distributed via Germany’s Broken Silence distribution, Canada’s rock power duo The Shanks have been announced to assist with the mission of keeping Austin weird by playing SXSW 2017.
Meanwhile, “Prisons of Ecstasy” has been getting some solid reviews on both sides of the pond between Europe and America. Here are some links to tide you over until The Shanks’ live dates in March:
AXS premiere
Punk News US premiere
Musik Reviews Germany
Metal Underground Austria
Deepground Germany
Metal Glory Germany
Drefvet Sweden
Intervjun Sweden
The Shanks’ “Prisons of Ecstasy” album set for October 14th release!
The Shanks’ fifth studio album, “Prisons of Ecstasy”, produced by Nicke Andersson (ex-Entombed, Hellacopters, Imperial State Electric) is set for a worldwide release date of October 14th.
While the US and Canada have already become familiar with the North.American version of the album, that was released Sep. 23rd, the October 14th release heralds the “Prisons of Ecstasy” DELUXE EDITION, and the CD comes with a bonus (hidden) track. The physical and digital (iTunes only) booklet also features full lyrics and the zeitgeist tales authored by Pistolwhip von Shankenstein, founder of the Shanks.
Meanwhile, Colonel Crankshaft has also overseen design production for the Deluxe Edition, which was undertaken in Madrid by ZORDON Spain – another country The Shanks hope to conquer in 2017.
Also be sure to check out The Shanks’ brand new video for Incarceration Man:
Related show
The Shanks perform in Sweden at Live at Heart Showcase Festival
Ahead of the release of their brand new album, “Prisons of Ecstasy”, The Shanks return to the scene of the crime (that’s Sweden! – where Nicke Andersson produced the album) to perform at the Live at Heart showcase festival: check out The Shanks’ LAH page here.
Two shows will rock Orebro September 2nd at East West and September 3rd at Level.
“Prisons of Ecstasy” will be released in North America September 23rd and in Europe on October 14th, and is preceeded by two singles: “Do You Fear Me?” and “Incarceration Man”.
The Shanks unveil “Prisons of Ecstasy” Teaser!
Founded on a farm in Mono, Ontario, Canada, in 2005 by Ian Starkey, aka St. Pistolwhip von Shankenstein XVIII, The Shanks are a blistering rock duo comprised of bass and drums, with Jody Brumell aka Colonel Crankshaft rounding out the line-up.
To commemorate The Shanks’ 10th anniversary, The Shanks are teaming up with Nicke Andersson (Imperial State Electric, ex-Hellacopters/Entombed, multi-instrumentalist and record producer) in Sweden to record what will be The Shanks’ fifth full-length studio album, working title “Prisons of Ecstasy”, engineered by Ola Elsfjord.
During this past month of May, bedtracks were recorded on tape at Stockholm’s Studio Gröndahl, with overdubs and mixing now underway at Nicke Andersson’s own studio. A mini-film teaser is now available as a sneak-peak into the recording shot and directed by Mattolavold Stockholm!
THE SHANKS RECORD IN STOCKHOLM
THE SHANKS RECORD NEW ALBUM WITH NICKE ANDERSSON PRODUCING
Founded on a farm in Mono, Ontario, Canada, in 2005 by Ian Starkey, aka St. Pistolwhip von Shankenstein XVIII, The Shanks are a blistering rock duo comprised of bass and drums, with Jody Brumell aka Colonel Crankshaft rounding out the line-up.
A combination of 1970s album-oriented rock and proto-punk with their very own unique zeitgeist, The Shanks belt out melodic chordal arrangements amidst a sea of low end and pounding rhythms. It’s haunting, tribal arena-rock played on a basement floor, hailed by Germany’s Rolling Stone magazine for both their songs and attitude on their last album, “Surfing the Lexicon”, produced in Canada by Sir Ian Blurton and released via Phratry Records in the US.
To commemorate The Shanks’ 10th anniversary, The Shanks are teaming up with Nicke Andersson (Imperial State Electric, ex-Hellacopters/Entombed, multi-instrumentalist and record producer) in Sweden to record what will be The Shanks’ fifth full-length studio album, working title “Prisons of Ecstasy”.
During this month of May, bedtracks will be recorded on tape at Stockholm’s Studio Gröndahl, with overdubs and mixing at Nicke Andersson’s own studio. The Shanks’ European management will then begin the process of shopping the album to European labels.
The Shanks play Reeperbahn Festival 2014!
The Shanks have been confirmed to perform at this year’s Reeperbahn Festival, at the venue Pooca Bar, for the AMAEI showcase in Hamburg.
The AMAEI is the Portuguese Independent Music Association, and for their “Atlantic Link Showcase” AMAEI have invited The Shanks to perform as their international guest, alongside The Weatherman and Frankie Chavez.
AMAEI Reeperbahn Festival banner
This will be The Shanks’ first time back in Germany following the release of “Surfing the Lexicon”, now out via Broken Silence distribution. Here’s what people are saying:
Grow: “….ein harmonisches und zugleich außergewöhnliches Gesamtes… ein tiefgründige Reise durch die unterschiedlichsten Klanglandschaften…”
rcn 7/9: “…10 atmosphärische Kleinodien…” http://www.rcnmagazin.de/go/rcn/_dbe,news,_auto_8396001.xhtml
“The Shanks“ erinneren mit ihrem Klang an die guten alten High-School Bands, die zu Beginn Songs gecovert haben und dann ganz groß rausgekommen sind. Man kommt in den Bann des Albums und möchte es gar nicht mehr hergeben. Für Fans von Stoner-Rock ein absolutes Muss!”
InHard: “…angesagter Trip für jeden Wohnzimmer Neurotiker.”
ffm-rock.de: http://allover-ffm-rock.de/reviews-interviews/cd-reviews/18788-the-shanks-surfing-the-lexicon
“Sicher kann man über die recht kurze Spielzeit von grade mal knapp 34 Minuten meckern aber bei der dargebotenen Intensität reicht das absolut aus und man kann auch schneller den nächsten Durchlauf starten.” 8/10 points
der-hoerspiegel.de: http://www.der-hoerspiegel.de/portal/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=44:rock&id=6201:Surfing-the-Lexicon&Itemid=41
“Diese Band gehört auf die Bühne, da ihr Sound eine Ungeschliffenheit besitzt, die sonst nur live erzeugt wird. Chapeau!” 9/10 points
powermetal.de: http://powermetal.de/review/review-Shanks__The/Surfing_The_Lexicon,23450.html
“Was man allerdings nicht erwarten sollte, sind packende Melodien oder potenzielle Single-Kandidaten. THE SHANKS ist eine Album-Band, daran lässt man auch anno 2014 keine Zweifel. Und da man auch nicht nach Hooklines strebt, sondern verstärkt auf das Feeling achtet, wird das ganze wohl auch eher Special Interest bleiben – in diesem Fall aber ein lohnenswerter Vertreter dieser besonderen Sparte!” 8/10 points
deepground.de: http://www.deepground.de/music-review/the-shanks-surfing-the-lexicon/
“Insgesamt haftet “Surfing the Lexicon” also zwar immer ein gewisser Retro-Charme an, dieser wird aber stets in ein modernes Soundgewand verpackt, ohne die besonderen Eigenschaften der 70er Jahre Punk-Rockmusik außer Acht zu lassen. Eine genaue Zielgruppe für “Surfing the Lexicon” lässt sich letztendlich nicht benennen, vielmehr wissen The Shanks auf derart interessante Weise zu gefallen, dass hier viele Hörer mit unterschiedlichen Vorlieben angesprochen werden.” 4/5 points
kulturnews: “…haben sie einen perfekten retrorockigen Surfersound etabliert… In dichten Schichten aufgebaute Gitarrenwände, melodischer Harmoniegesang. leicht nölig und dabei extrem eingängig – Pistolwhip von Shankenstein und Colonel Crankshaft wissen wie’s geht.”
Rolling Stone DE: “Klare Songs, ordentlich Schmutz in der Attitüde: gut.”
Related show
The Shanks at CMW 2014: May 8th, Cherry Cola’s, Thursday night / Friday morning
SHANKS CMW 2014 Showcase – “German Heavy Metal Girl” Video Premiere Event
Celebrating the German release of The Shanks’ “Surfing the Lexicon” album, out on Phratry Records US and distributed in German by Broken Silence Distribution!
Cherry Cola’s Rocknroll Cabaret
200 Bathurst St. Toronto
Thursday May 8, 3 AM
Canada’s “Grand Viziers of Rock Annihilation” the SHANKS present the world premiere screening of the video for the Squirtgun Records release of the new single track “GERMAN HEAVY METAL GIRL”. An epic Polish buffet rendered in the “Grand Style” will remain in place for the duration of the show, fully fortified as long as the supply lines can be maintained.
The show is also going to be broadcast live to the internet so our friends in the EU can tune in.
“Hard rock/indie like Motorhead and Two Gallants, also classic 70s
arena rock. Clear songs with dirty attitude. Final summary : GOOD” 3/4
ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE (German Language Edition)
The Shanks’ Surfing the Lexicon to be released in Europe
German distributor BROKEN SILENCE is set to release PHRATRY RECORDS’s SHANKS record “Surfing the Lexicon” end of June in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the BeNeLux. Stay ‘tooned for more European news shortly…
Surfing the Lexicon CD cover