John Shannon, MJ Lambert and Ben Geis are session musicians who have played live and on record for artists including Lauryn Hill, Slick Rick, John Mayer and Ben Harper.
As rock group theShift, the trio hopes to carve out a lane that is all their own. To Shannon, it's about bringing “danger” back in to their songs and live shows.
“We bring danger by not holding back, by keeping songs open to whatever happens — not in jam way, but by bringing back the guitar solo, by not being afraid to let it go on stage,” Shannon told HitFix this week about theShift “experience” of “transcendence. “We're giving it everything we have and really not giving a f*ck what anybody thinks. We want to take the audience on a trip.”
One unexpected audience Shannon's earned in his years of experience: Louis C.K., and fans who watch his show “Louie.” The guitarist/vocalist writes the music for the show — now in its fifth season — after he was roped in during the early days of the TV show by pal Reggie Watts.
“[Louis C.K.] knows a lot about music. We just worked really well together,” Shannon said.
Below, take a gander at theSHIFT's new music video for “Kobra,” which is featured on the rockers' EP “7th Direction.” Listen to a full stream of that set here; tour dates for theSHIFT are below the vid.
Apr 22 – Eaton, OH – Taffeta on Eaton
Apr 23 – Columbus, OH – Scarlet and Grey Café
Apr 24 – Pittsburgh, PA – Pittsburgh Winery
Apr 25 – New York, NY – Rockwood Music Hall (Stage 2)
May 29 – Philadelphia, PA – Kung Fu Necktie
May 31 – Durham NC – Pin Hook
June 3 –Asheville NC – Asheville Music Hall
June 4 – Anniston, AL – Cheaha Brewing Company
June 5 – Dothan, AL – The Plug House
June 6 – Titusville, FL – Bar IX
June 11 – Jacksonville, FL – Jack Rabbits
June 12 – Bourbon Street Bar and Grill – Myrtle Beach, NC
June 13 – Charleston NC – The Mill
June 14 – Knoxville, TN – The Bowery
June 16 – Charlotte, NC – The Tin Roof
June 18 – Richmond, VA – Strange Matter
June 19 – Hoboken NJ – Maxwell's
June 20 – New York, NY – Rockwood Music Hall
June 24 – Burlington VT – Radio Bean
June 25 – Albany NY – Parish Public House
June 26 – Dover, NH – Dover Brick House