Mark Lane writes most of the songs, sings 'em, and plays guitar, tenor guitar, tenor banjo, harmonica, kazoo, and trombone. Classic rock and country, folk, blues, and early jazz all make an appearance, informed by a wide range of listening habits and a few thousand old 78's in his basement. His lyrics ask epistemological questions in a style described by Strunk, White, Waylon and Johnny.
  
Dan Easley adds support and color to the tunes with an evolving array of instruments (including mandolin, fretless banjo, accordion, hammond organ, and saxophone) and vocal stylings (from Tiny Tim to Cookie Monster). He's devoted much of his life to the study of popular music from the 1600's to today - so as to get a great big bunch of old tricks up his sleeve.
  
Crystal Shrewsbury plays a strong and steady bass - be it upright, or clarinet. Her string bass experience is in traditional Appalachian old-time music, and her woodwind background in concert and marching band. 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?

Old high school chums Mark Lane and Dan Easley began recording music together in 2007 - eleven years after high school ended. Their first record, What's Shakin', was recorded in Dan's friend's garage over the span of about a year, and was nearly finished just as Crystal Shrewsbury joined in on upright bass. The track she plays on - the last one, "My Maker", Mark started while Crystal and Dan were standing outside. They snuck in while he was recording himself, and happened to start playing along with him right as he hit the lyric: "What are all these strangers doing here?" This was perhaps indicative of the good thing going.

The three performed live on WXJM-FM in April 2008; the event was captured and released as The Shakes Live.

In late 2008, the band was commissioned by director Michael Trocchia to write and record music for a play: The Blue Hotel.  Based on a short story by Stephen Crane, the play, and The Shakes' third cd, premiered in February 2009 in Harrisonburg, Virginia. 

The Shakes are finishing up work on a fourth release - the third collection of studio recordings: one of the works-in-progress is here.