Album Notes

In the historic region of Yorkshire, England, "Jack in Irons" is said to lurk the sullen alleyways and lonely roads, forever in search of his next unsuspecting victim. Jack's hulking body is cloaked with the chains of his imprisonment and garnished with the heads of his prey. Clutched in his hand resides a spiked club that thirsts for blood and inflicts punishment on those that cross its path. His rage is the product of a life of captivity and enslavement and every soul collected brings Jack one step closer to freedom. Thousands of miles away in Holland, Michigan resides an equally brooding creature known as the music of Shackle Jack.

Its ten to midnight on a Saturday night in Michigan. Cigarette smoke looms over a full bar of music fans, eagerly anticipating the next band in the lineup. Those that have seen this band before are quickly finishing their drinks and making their way to the front of the stage. The others may not be fans yet, but chances are that's about to change.

The lights dim and the background music fades as four shadows take the stage. Sporadic cheers ring out as each band member assumes their position and readies their weapon of choice. This is the calm before the storm. Anticipation reaches its peak. Finally, with the click of the drumsticks, the assault begins. The lights turn on to reveal the hard rock/heavy metal quartet, Shackle Jack.

Shackle Jack has been described as "a rowdy, good-time, make-you-want-to-pound-a-few-brews rock 'n' roll band", and that's just the way they like it. Jesse Davis owns stage right as he bangs his head as fast as he can, all the while maintaining his complex combination of "pop, slap and finger" bass technique. To his left, "The Bus Driver" Justin Glover, thrashes his 4 piece drum kit with the fury and power of a small army. Wood chips scatter like confetti off his sticks as he navigates a series of multifaceted drum lines with ease. Stage left is all power as Dustin Rea's amp tries to keep up with his onslaught of metal inspired guitar riffs. His melodic but technical solos are as much fun to watch as they are to listen to as he bends and picks all of his seven sweat-soaked strings. Buddha feels right at home as he governs center stage with a low-sprawl stance and a voice of raw, versatile power. The intensity in his eyes tells the whole story. This band plays not just because they want to, but because they need to.

Shackle Jack was born in December of 2004 in a basement in Grand Rapids, Michigan when four guys got together for an audition. Each had their own personal reasons for being there, but they shared one common goal; to start an all-original, no B.S., ass-kicking band that could entertain a wide spectrum of music fans. Since that day, the band has surprised even itself by achieving every goal it has set out to accomplish. In under a year and a half Shackle Jack has been extremely ambitious, playing around 75 shows in their region in addition to a 3 day showcase in Las Vegas for the Fremont Street Experience as a headlining act. On top of that, they found time to record and release their self-produced, full-length debut album, "Jack in Irons" featuring fan favorites like Depths of the Damned, Full Metal Racket, The Rules and Take a Number. For most bands, a schedule like this could lead to strain, bickering and even possible breakup. For Shackle Jack it has been a positive experience, creating a family-like camaraderie that is evident at each and every live performance.

In the beginning, Shackle Jack set out to write songs for the audience. Hindsight proves 20/20 as they now realize they have been writing songs for themselves all along. Shackle Jack provides a therapeutic solace for each member to release the aggressions that can come with every day life. Songs like Farther and Helpless spawned from recent tragedies, and were created almost out of necessity as certain members coped with their losses. Full Metal Racket and The Rules were created in tribute to the United States military personnel and the sudden death of "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott of Pantera. But, Shackle Jack isn't all doom and gloom by any means. Other tunes like Hard Rock Man, Hellride and The Righteous Sound celebrate the rock and roll lifestyle and their love for this band.

Like the fabled "Jack in Irons", this band is an insatiable monster with an unquenchable thirst. Tenacity and dedication are their key characteristics and will prove to be the vital ingredients to the future success of this up-and-coming rock band. The next time you find yourself in a dark alley or a dim, smokey bar in America, keep your eyes peeled because you never know where Shackle Jack will strike next.