Mark Lane writes the songs, sings them, and plays guitar. Classic rock, country, folk, and blues all make their appearance. His lyrics ask epistemological questions in a style of which Strunk, White, Waylon and Johnny might've approved.

Dan Easley adds support and color to the tunes with an array of instruments and vocal stylings. He has devoted much of his life to the study of popular music from the 1600's to today in an attempt to amass a great big bunch of old tricks up his sleeve.

Crystal Shrewsbury plays a strong and steady upright bass. In a past life (and still, from time to time) a bass clarinetist, her string bass experience is in traditional Appalachian old-time music. She provides a solid grounding and careful eye (and ear) to the whole circus.

Dead sober as they may be, their music often sounds a bit drunk. Blame the intoxicating splendor of life itself. Ain't we got fun?

The Shakes' first record, What's Shakin', was almost done just as Crystal joined the group. Being an intimate artistic collaboration between two friends from way far back as high school, it is full of musical, technical, and technological experimentation and wonder. Nevertheless, it retains at core a live and brisk sensibility. (Perhaps because we left all the bad notes in!)

The new trio configuration is immensely groovy and fun; we're working on a second collection of songs in the studio, and a live recording to release soon.