The Shambles (band)
Encyclopedia
The Shambles is an American power pop
and rock group from San Diego, California
.
Formed in 1990 from members of other regional bands, The Shambles have released numerous CDs, LP
s and 7-inch singles, have toured extensively in the USA, and performed in the UK (including an appearance at the Marquee Club
in London
), Mexico
and Spain
.
), Ray Brandes and David Klowden (formerly of The Tell-Tale Hearts), and bassist Mark Z (formerly of The Crawdaddys). Guitarist/singer Bart Mendoza
(also from Manual Scan
) joined the group a few months later, and while Brandes, Mark Z and Klowden later parted ways with the band, the core of Donaker-Ring and Mendoza remains. Florida native Kenny Howes
joined the group in 2005, alternating between bass guitar and 12-string Rickenbacker
, playing his last show with the band on May 1, 2010, before relocating to Dallas, Texas.
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
and rock group from San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
.
Formed in 1990 from members of other regional bands, The Shambles have released numerous CDs, LP
LP album
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
s and 7-inch singles, have toured extensively in the USA, and performed in the UK (including an appearance at the Marquee Club
Marquee Club
The Marquee was a music club first located at 165 Oxford Street, London, England when it opened in 1958 with a range of jazz and skiffle acts.It was also the location of the first ever live performance by The Rolling Stones on 12 July 1962....
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
), Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
.
Members
The founding members of The Shambles were guitarist Kevin Donaker-Ring (formerly of Manual ScanManual Scan
Manual Scan was an American mod and power pop group from San Diego, active between 1981–1991.Manual Scan released numerous CDs, LPs and 7-inch singles, in England, Spain and the U.S....
), Ray Brandes and David Klowden (formerly of The Tell-Tale Hearts), and bassist Mark Z (formerly of The Crawdaddys). Guitarist/singer Bart Mendoza
Bart Mendoza
Bart Mendoza is an American journalist, musician and songwriter.From 1981 to 1990, he was frontman and chief songwriter for mod-influenced group Manual Scan. Since 1991 he has performed with power-pop group The Shambles...
(also from Manual Scan
Manual Scan
Manual Scan was an American mod and power pop group from San Diego, active between 1981–1991.Manual Scan released numerous CDs, LPs and 7-inch singles, in England, Spain and the U.S....
) joined the group a few months later, and while Brandes, Mark Z and Klowden later parted ways with the band, the core of Donaker-Ring and Mendoza remains. Florida native Kenny Howes
Kenny Howes
-Early years:Raised in Mulberry, Florida, Howes began his musical endeavors at the age of ten by simultaneously learning the guitar and piano at home and the French horn at school....
joined the group in 2005, alternating between bass guitar and 12-string Rickenbacker
Rickenbacker
Rickenbacker International Corporation, also known as Rickenbacker, is an electric and bass guitar manufacturer based in Santa Ana, California...
, playing his last show with the band on May 1, 2010, before relocating to Dallas, Texas.
Albums
- Clouds All Day (U.S./Blindspot 10, 1996)
- Reviving Spark (Japan/1+2 087, 1996)
- What You're Missing (Spain/Snap, 2000)
- Chelsea Smiles and More (Spain/Snap, 2001)
- 20 Explosive Hits (U.S./Black Cherry Music Group, 2008)
- Desde Ayer (U.S./JAM-Blindspot, 2008)
EPs
- Original Tangent (US/Gouramie 105/PS EP Blue Vinyl, 1995)
- (We've Got A) Groovy Thing (UK/Detour 031/PS 7 EP Yellow Vinyl, 1995)
- Chelsea Smiles (US/Genuine Article GA-1/EP 10-inch Blue Vinyl, 1998)
- It Might Rain Tonight (Spain/Snap/7" EP, 2003)
Singles
- She's Used To Playing With) Fire / Louise (Susstones 537/PS 45, 1993)
- Nadie Te Quiere Ya (US/Get Hip 195/PS 45, 1997)
Compilation appearances
- Staring At The Sun Volume 1 (US / Blindspot 001, 1992) - Medley: Of Heart & Soul/For Jamie, Original Tangent, Stuck On The Inside
- Closet Pop Folk (U.S. / Pop Psycle, 1997) - In Your Arms, Chelsea Smiles, Her Black Dress, I Believe, Clouds All Day (all acoustic versions)
- West of Eden (U.S. / Zip, 2005) - All Sorts
- Someone to Share My Life With: A Tribute to Television Personalities (Sweden / But Is It Art, 2006) - If I Could Write Poetry
- Sweet Relief (U.S. / JAM, 2007) - Wendy Never
- Do You Want To Be In The Show: A Tribute To The Jetset (U.K. / Twist Records, 2009) - Hard To Say Goodbye
Covers
- Forty One Sixty: The Songs of the Shambles (US / JAM-Blindspot 109, 2009) - collects covers of the bands songs including The Lola's, Herb Eimerman, The Happy Losers and Cockeyed Ghost.
External links
- The Shambles’ Official Website
- Shambles’ MySpace page
- [ Shambles’ All Music Guide listing]
- The Shambles in The San Diego Troubadour Magazine
- The Shambles List of Worldwide Fanzine Appearances