Shakin Street, what a band. Hailing from France and all the way back around 1980 looked set for the big take-off. Their self-titled second album from 1980 is a monster.
I spun it today for the first time in a while and remembered how great the album is. A sort of New Wave of French Heavy Metal.
Taking their name from an MC5 song, a low key debut album (Vampire Rock) emerged which saw a limited release.
Then the breakthrough came when they came to the attention of Sandy Pearlman – he of the BOC connection – with the result of that being this self-titled second album this time on a major label.
Surely it was a “no fail” situation. Fronted by the spectacular presence and vocals of the fabulous Fabienne Shine and the pulsing guitar of Ross the Boss together with the Pearlman influence and press hype it was all in place for the Street to go big.
The album is indeed evidence of that. A huge slab of riff-laded guitar driven rock with swagger, energy and attitude, Shine’s distinctive vocals and a tight rhythm section.
It rocks hard. Sometimes a bit punky, sometimes a bit melodic, sometimes a bit poppy even. All together just that bit different.
The opener – No Compromise – a clear statement of intent. Punchy, to the point, crisp drumming and a jangling guitar riff with Shine in lung-busting form. Solid as a Rock punches it out too then No Time to Lose brings in some of the new wave influence featuring a chunky hook.
Soul Dealer has an excellent riff, a short, blistering bit of guitar mid-song and as usual Shine all over the vocals. Have a listen:
Of the remainder, So Fine is impossibly infectiously catchy as is to a lesser extent Generation X then it ends with the spectacular I Want to Box You. Huge riff running throughout in a dark, brooding way a little hypnotic even with more of the distinctive Shine vocals. Brilliant.
Alas, even armed with an album as good as this it didn’t work out for them. Ross the Boss went on to Manowar and that was pretty much it for Shakin Street. Even now four decades later their self-titled album sounds fresh and on-point.
>> SHAKIN STREET SELF-TITLED ALBUM ON AMAZON HERE <<
Various formats there – CD, streaming etc.
They have sprung up sporadically over the decades since and put out an excellent album – Psychic – in 2014. Do check that album out as it’s top class.