Baby Shakes: Shake it up in Brighton!

Baby Shakes: Mary – photo by Ian Bourn

Baby Shakes bring it to Brighton and shake it!

Baby Shakes are a rock n’ roll-punk band from New York City. Mary on lead vocals and guitar, Judy on lead guitar and vocals, Claudia on bass and vocals, and Ryan on drums. With catchy melodic vocals over dirty guitars and a killer rhythm section, their influences range from The Ramones and Slade to Chuck Berry and 60’s Motown girl groups. Formed in 2005, they’ve released 5 singles, a 10” heart-shaped EP, a singles collection, and 3 full length albums. They have toured the US, Japan, China, Ireland, UK and Europe. Baby Shakes have shared the stage with The Romantics, The Boys, Shadows of Knight, The Undertones, Buzzcocks, Barracudas, Protex, Black Lips, Rubinoos, Flamin’ Groovies, Paul Collin’s Beat, Derv Gordon (The Equals), Iggy Pop, among others.

Baby Shakes just released their third full-length album, titled Turn It Up, in June 2017. Now they are here in the UK, and stopping off in Brighton on the last night of their UK tour.

The Band

Mary – lead vocals/guitar
Judy – lead guitar/vocals
Claudia – bass/vocals
Ryan – drums

A Slideshow – Meet Baby Shakes!

I first heard of these guys when they released a single in 2015 called “Summer Sun”. If you crossed The Ramones with The Ronnettes and The Crystals you get an idea of the sound these guys create. It is unique. It is special. I loved the video shot around Coney with the iconic Wonder Wheel – as seen in classic The Warriors movie. The girls are on skates, bikes and in leather jackets. The video broken with shots of the band playing the song on the beach and with hula hoops – whats not to like?

The venue for their show was The Prince Albert in Brighton. It was a sell out crowd that greeted the band as they took to the stage. Managed to grab a couple of words with Mary and Judy as they strapped on their guitars.

The Set

Baby Shakes opened up with “Do What You Want” – what an opener – the hook laden riffs, the drums as Mary took charge of the mic. Arms flew as chords were struck and the band joining in with the chorus and harmonies. This kind of reminded me of The Undertones sound. Perfect! “Pretty Things” was up next and quickly followed up with my one of my favourite tracks “Summer Sun” and these guys nailed it live. I put the camera down and joined in with the crowd for that one!

A big shout to Ryan, sat at the back working those sticks giving the band full fills and some damn fine drumming. Claudia put in some hefty bass work while supplying backing vocals. Mary in charge of what went on up there playing some great guitar whilst delivering an point vocal performance. On the other guitar working equally hard was Judy and also delivering vocal support. Great job guys!

Some of the other songs we got in this live show was a mixture of older and newer material. These included “Baby Blue”, “Heart of The City”, “Crazy”, “Shake Shake”, the set came to a close with “Come on” and “Stuck On Blue”. Time for a quick encore and we were done.

A Video!

Baby Shakes: A clip of Summer Sun

It was a fairly short set, and the crowd wanted more and the guys obliged with another song. Short, very sweet and Baby Shakes delivered everything they promise. It was fun, great songs and just a joy to be there and watch them perform.

And finally

from Baby Shakes: “ What a fun night!!! We want to go back to Brighton!“

Great support on the night from Young Francis and Los Pepes!

This was a Stay Sick event.

Stay Sick are promoters based in Brighton. They have been around for a while now. A lot of thought had gone into the planning of this night and it was a sell out. Great night, well organised and enjoyed every guitar fuzzed second. Thank you Stay Sick.

Established in 2008, they continue to spin the best dancing music from surf to 60s, oddball R&B to filthy rock’n’roll, garage to punk 7 inches at a time. Now a Brighton institution for the ones in the know, these Cramps obsessed guys have put on such greats as Billy Childish, Kid Congo from the Cramps, Monotonix, Eighties Matchbox B-line Disaster and Thee Oh Sees. With bands from Japan, Germany, USA, France and even Croatia (to name but a few), STAY SICK has made it their mission to track down, kidnap and present you with the best bands from all over the globe.

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Please note all original images / video are copyright, please do not copy. If any of the featured artists/promoters/venues want copies of the images – or more if available – please just get in touch.

All original pictures / video – copyright to IANB/MEDIA WORKS/ SCENE SUSSEX – Ian “The Lens” Bourn 2018.

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