Blend together fuzzy surf rock with an old fashioned psychedelic freakout and you’ve got the beginnings of the Shivas’ punchy, playful sound. The band, based in Portland and currently on the Burger Records roster, most recently released a three song EP titled You Make Me Wanna Die. But don’t let that fool you — they take life’s boundless melancholy and transform it into a frenzied summer dance party.
Next week, The Shivas will be taking their carefree, clap-along tunes across the US, with two stops here in the city: first at Cake Shop on the 15th, then at Palisades on the 16th. Obviously, we couldn’t be more excited, so we had to reach out and pick their brains. From James Brown to Wayne’s World, check out the music and movies that get The Shivas buzzing.
1. Bobby Conn on Chic-A-Go-Go
2. God Is Doing a New Thang
3. Basemint
4. James Brown on the TAMI show
5. Reverberation
6. Poison Ivy
7. Wayne’s World
8. Sister Rosetta Tharpe
9. Today’s Hits from Chicago
10. Los Muñequitos De Matanzas — Rumberos from Cuba
11. Jackie Wilson
12. This book by Ian F. Svenonius
13. Get Down Attack by General Caine — “Shake”
