Shellshag At Music Hall Of Williamsburg, Saturday, February 11th, 2012
Second band up at the Don Giovanni records showcase on Saturday is the ineffable (thought I'll try) Shellshag. They sing opposite each other at a two mic V shaped drum, Shell plays guitar and Shag bangs the drums, and, like so many members of the DG clan, they feel like punk but I am not sure they really are.
During a Shellshag by the numbers but still extremely fun set, they pulled out all their showstoppers and stopped the show with them. Shell has a husky voice at odds with what he is singing, and while he seems involved it is up to Shagg to get really excited about the proceedings. The songs are all the hits, more songs about the Ramones and birds if you will.
They are an odd looking but well suited pair, Shell is in a waistcoat and tie and pajama bottoms, Shag in a wifebeater. And they are like an old married couple, there is an ease about their performance which, whole not going through the motions, bespoke the sort of command that only comes with time.
Although I've listened to their last album Rumors In Disguise any number of times, it mostly hasn't stuck, still I could swear that was "Resiient Bastard" at one point and no, they didn't do "Rock And Roll Saved My Life"! But they did do "Fuck Society" -a tremedous little ditty everybody mentions so I won't bother to but if you wanna hear it here is a link http://vimeo.com/11252166
"Fuck Society" is a punky little motherfucker, but elsewhere they seem close to country or maybe hard rock.
You know, pros from New Jersey who know how it's done.
Grade: B+
