For the uninitiated, what better introduction to this highly visual and thoroughly entertaining combo than through their website? It states: ‘Th’ Legendary Shack*Shakers started their hell-for-leather, Penta-caustic roadshow just over three years ago and in a short time have earned quite a name for themselves with their unique brand of American Gothic that is all-at-once irreverent, revisionist, dangerous and fun. Led by their wildly charismatic rail-thin frontman, the blues-harpist J.D. Wilkes, Th’ Shack*Shakers are a four-man wrecking crew from the South whose explosive interpretations of the blues, punk, rock and country have made fans, critics and legions of potential converts into true believers. Th’ Legendary Shack*Shakers: Southern by the Grace of Goth!’"
We caught up with Wilkes for a brief chat.
STEVE AVERILL: Although you have an artistic background you also chose music as a means of expression. Did you feel a compulsion to perform?
J.D. WILKES: To me, it’s all the same kinda personal expression. Rock ‘n’ roll is just a more immediate way of getting your vision out to the masses. This sort of thing is more important in America – the need to be immediately accessible. In my opinion, even America’s visual art packs more of a visceral wallop than the old school/Old World system.
Can you give us some idea of the band’s history?
The group came about through the Lower Broadway/honky-tonk circuit. It was born out of the lawless attitude of Nashville’s organised backlash against Music Row.
Your music is a visual and aural assault – was that the intention from the start?
Art is my personal primal scream therapy. That’s what makes it so abrasive, yet cathartic, too, hopefully.
What were the primary influences on your music?
The blues as played by guys like Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Magic Sam and Howlin’ Wolf. After that, the hillbilly sounds of Dock Boggs, Stanley Brothers, Louvin Brothers, Johnny Horton and Faron Young.
You use religious imagery in your music, mixed with a sense of the strange and bizarre.
I’ve always been obsessed with religion and the mythic and mystical. I consider myself to be a Christian apologist, although I’m obviously backslidden. I like reading about the saints and studying their symbols.
What you do live seems to be quite different to your studio work.
The live show is stripped down and direct, while the recorded songs are more layered and considered. Is that deliberate? It’s just a matter of simple convenience. There’s no way we can afford to bring a fiddler and an accordionist with us all over Creation. But we don’t want our financial constraints to keep us from experimenting and having fun in the studio.
Your recent Robert Plant support may have been a shock to the system of some Zeppelin fans. But there are some elements of the blues in your music too.
Yeah, we’re both fans of old blues and rockabilly records. It’s the common denominator. We just took our influences into two different directions.
So can Th’ Legendary Shack*Shakers be the next White Stripes?
Yeah. There’s no reason why folks wouldn’t be attracted to our songs, hooks and style. We’re all-action figures on stage, with our own vibe, look and attitude. We’re comfortable in who we are too. That comes across.
What's the next step for Th’ Legendary Shack*Shakers?
Tour Europe and release a DVD. Maybe do a world tour with the great Scott H. Biram – the Dirty Old One Man Band. Check him out. He’s pretty damn dancy.