Shaker! What can I say?  I'll try not to write a novel.  They do shake you all night long.  Back in January I was feeling a little under the weather and my husband and I decided to go out and see if I just needed to shake it out.  We saw Shaker for the first time.  They sounded so good.  I was praying heavily to make it through the first set.  My prayers were answered: we made it through several sets.  We just couldn't help ourselves; we couldn't stop shaking it out.  We left a lot of stress on the dance floor that night.  The place was rocking and I pretty much forgot how bad I was feeling.  When they played "It's been a long time since I rock and rolled" I couldn't have agreed more.  I couldn't remember when I had heard such a good party band.
They did a few original tunes and I loved them.  We had to buy their cd, I think everyone there did.  We all felt like the band was made just for us.  Everyone was smiling and rocking out.  
By Monday I went to the Doctor who wanted to put me in the hospital, but there was no room.  I had a nasty, nasty, nasty flu.  The Doctor ordered me to bed and gave me some really good drugs to keep me there.  My family took very good care of me; they were absolute Angels.  Many friends brought my family food and helped out in many ways.  I had so many Angels watching out for me and mine, I can't tell you how thankful I am.
I lazed in bed listening to music.  I checked out Shakers cd.  I could hardly believe it.  It was another Angel.  What a way to go thru the flu.  I listened and read the jacket from cover to cover many, many times.  I went thru an emotional roller coaster with their music.  Every single tune applied to me at some time in my life.  They made me laugh, cry, smile, be thankful that I'm on a slow groovy ride, and on and on.  I remember, no novel.  I do have to say that Larry Gast is an incredible songwriter.  I absolutely fell in love with his heart.  He obviously care's deeply for people.  He plays rhythum and acoustic guitar, the sex (oops! I meant sax), the harmonica, and sings beautifully.  He is unbelievably talented.  Awesome comes to mind.  I think A.D. beats those drums instead of taking Ritalin; and what a voice?  We're talking AC/DC's Brian Johnson here.  Marc is so into his bass guitar you can literally get right in his face and he has no clue you are there.  Ryan and Scott play lead guitar and can do it alone, but you put them together and Wow!  The whole band is so talented, there's not a slacker amongst them.
It's taken me a half a year to decide on a favorite tune on this cd and reality is, I can't.  Seriously, it is "Slow Groovy Ride" because life is a great ride to me.  Enjoy your time.  As far as I know, we only get one shot at this.  "These Words" is truly my favorite though.  It is a fantastic reminder to say "I love you".  Then there's "On Her Own", it is definitely my favorite.  Like Larry says "to love someone you have to set them free".  If you're not free to be yourself, then who are you?  No, my favorite is "Steal Away".  "Tonight baby, I want to steal away with you".  Doesn't that sound soooo good?  I call it going out to play, same thing though.  We all need to get out and play more; it does the body good.  I won't say anymore about the tunes, but you absolutely must crank it up for the end of "Jersey Nights".
Friends have asked me to keep quiet about Shaker , they want to keep them to ourselves.  That's not a bad idea, but I truly think everyone should be able to enjoy Shaker's music.  I could go on and on with this, but you probably get the picture.  These guys are awesome!  I don't know when I've seen so much talent together in one band.  All my friends agree.      
Do yourself a favor, you've got to get Shaker's cd.  I'm not a Doctor, but I just have to prescribe this music.  Take some serious time, kick back and enjoy.  Listen to the lyrics, read along with them.  Not every tune may apply to you, but it certainly will apply to someone you care about.  Whenever I get edgy, I just pick a tune that fits the mood and shake it out.  This cd is truly a Godsend. 
See, it's not a novel.  Okay, it's a short story.  Your instructions said to keep it short and I try my best to follow instructions.  

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There is a story behind almost every song on Progess Avenue by Phoenix/Tempe based Shaker.  Many of the stories unfold between the lyrics drawing the listener in, leaving enough room to shade in specific meanings. . . . The sound is Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Gin Blossom influenced and it is clear from the CD that the five members revel in the gusto they bring to their late-nite venues.
The strongest numbers include Ginny Broke Down, the title track and Down at the Steel Mill a noisy celebration of blue collar existence; and Working the Night, a spare tale of down-sized revenge. The songs display interesting lyrics and a loose, gritty, engaging edge.
At least a few tracks are unabashed pop tunes, complete with catchy choruses and hooks. At the other end of the spectrum is Shadows, a bleak rumination of separation and far-removed from an Americana station playlist.
The overall production is professional and tight, yet, unlike many CDs of club bands, does not unnecessarily smooth out (therefore detract from) the vigor of the band.
Straight-ahead roots pop-rock no pretentions.
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Slow Groovy Ride, On Her Own, and These Words are the first three songs on Progress Ave; they are, in addition, so pleasing that it's silly to care whether Shaker is more influenced by radio than personal experience. Through their driving melodies and energetic delivery, these songs do nothing less than reaffirm why people like Bruce Springsteen, Shaker's apparent idol, still has the trace of songs heard on New Jersey boardwalks in his eyes. . .  .-- td 
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BACKSTAGE PASS News makes good fodder for songwriter Gast Eric Searleman The Arizona Republic Nov 10 1999 02:48:07 Musicians listen to a variety of things, but how many rock stars turn to National Public Radio for inspiration? That's exactly what Larry Gast does. He's the singer and main songwriter of Valley band Shaker, and he's got his ears peeled for anything, including news bits from the esteemed news radio station. "They've got a lot of great stories," he says, "and since I'm a storyteller, that helps my songwriting." His attention to narrative is paying off, too. Shaker's debut disc, released late last month, is a strong effort mixing Springsteen-Mellencamp-inspired acoustic-based rockers with slice-of-life vignettes. "All my songs are driven by the lyrics," says Gast, also a graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University. "I start with the words and try to stay focused on the idea. After that, the music comes pretty quickly." As good as the lyrics are, the music on Progress Avenue, the debut album, is even better. Gast comes from a blue-collar Midwestern background, and his songs definitely reflect that. He has played in country bands, blues bands and rock bands and pulls freely from all these genres. He even admits that Hanky Panky, by Tommy James and the Shondells, was his favorite song while growing up. Most obvious of all his influences, however, is Bruce Springsteen. There is an overt E Street Band vibe to Shaker's record, something Gast can't deny. "It's funny, I lived in New Jersey for five years and I didn't like Springsteen at first," Gast says. "I thought he was a total mess. But now I really respect him. "I like his energy, attitude and the topics he chooses to write about. He really showed me what you can do with a rock song. "He's clever," Gast says with a self-deprecating laugh, "and much smarter than me." Shaker will perform Nov. 19-20 at the Loft, 15015 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix. Progress Avenue, may be purchased at CDGB's New and Used CDs, all Zia Record Exchange locations, or from the band's Web site, www.shakermusic.com. 
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