Shakin' Street (band)

First iteration: 1975–1981

Shakin' Street was formed in 1975 by French musicians Fabienne Shine and Eric Lévi, who met at a club.^[3][4][2] Initially called Speedball,^[2][5][1] they later changed their name to Shakin' Street, inspired by the eponymous MC5 song.^[3][1] Shine, the vocalist of the group, chose to sing in English, stating that "French just isn't authentic".^[6]

The band's first lineup consisted of bassist Corine Marienneau, guitarist Louis Bertignac,^[7] and drummer Jean-Lou Kalinowski. Marienneau and Bertignac were soon replaced by bassist Mike Winter and guitarist Armik Tigrane.^[3] In 1978, Shakin' Street released their debut album, Vampire Rock, recorded at Olympic Studios in London, for Columbia Records' international imprint CBS.^[8] Vampire Rock reportedly sold over 25,000 copies in their home country.^[9][1] Ira Robbins, writing for Trouser Press, described it as "an impressive, raucous and wild rocker, with English lyrics that touch a number of bases, from sharp to silly".^[10]

In 1979, producer Marc Zermati took the members of Shakin' Street to a Blue Öyster Cult concert.^[2] Shine later approached Sandy Pearlman, suggesting that he should produce their next album.^[9] He subsequently became their manager.^[10][4] That same year, Tigrane was fired after selling his guitar for heroin.^{[2][5][1][11]} Pearlman then enlisted guitarist Ross "the Boss" Friedman to replace him.^[11] In August 1979, Shakin' Street played at the Old Waldorf in San Francisco, California.^[2] The performance was taped and was released as Scarlet: The Old Waldorf, August 1979, in 2024.^[2]

Their next studio album, Shakin' Street (also known as Solid as a Rock), was recorded in San Francisco^[9] and released in 1980 by Columbia.^{[1][nb 1]} While the album received some attention in the music press, reception was mixed, with some writers focusing on the band's uncertain musical style, moving between punk rock and heavy metal.^[1][4][12] Shine would later assert that Shakin' Street are a hard rock band.^[2] Writing for NME, Lynn Hanna remarked that Shakin' Street is a "record characterised by its grace, charm, and poise" and highlighted Friedman's "dizzying acrobatics" in the song "Generation X".^[13] Dave Marsh, writing for Rolling Stone, called the album "mediocre" and rated it two out of five stars.^[14] Shakin' Street charted at No. 40 on the Swedish album chart Topplistan.^[15] The band promoted the record by supporting several groups as openers, including the Clash as well as Black Sabbath and Blue Öyster Cult on their Black & Blue Tour, among others.^[16][1] In 1981, Friedman left Shakin' Street and formed the heavy metal band Manowar with bassist Joey DeMaio, whom he had met on the Black & Blue Tour. Duck MacDonald briefly joined Shakin' Street as guitarist. They disbanded the same year, partially due to strained internal dynamics.^[3][17]

Reunion: 2004–present

Fabienne Shine went on to collaborate with the American rock band Chrome and pursued a solo career.^[5][17] Eric Lévi became a film composer and later created the musical project Era.^[18]

Shakin' Street reunited in 2004, with Shine, Friedman, Kalinowski, and Winter.^[5][17] Guitarist Norbert Krief was also briefly a member of the band that year.^[3] They have since released the studio albums 21st Century Love Channel (2009) and Psychic (2014) as well as two live records.^[17][5][19]