The Rockin Shades, Live at Caister (SRT, 1979)
Everybody loves a hero and the world of rock n roll has just recently adopted four new candidates for that title. They are known as Shades. But what quality is it that bestows this band with such accolades. I will tell you. Colin, Spike, Alan and Mike, who go to make up SHADES, have fashioned a near perfect could of rock n roll, cliched though it sounds, 'something for everybody'. They are neither only rockabilly, nostalgia or oldie-but-goodie. They are all three plus a bit more. Their personal touch is added to these various hybrids and what we get is this hard-driving, easy pleasing SHADES trademark of good rock n roll music. It's been quite a year for these four guys from Cornwall. There's been hit single success in Europe, a guest appearance in 'Blue Suede Shoes', the movie that was filmed at the Caister Rock n Roll Festival and of course their prestigious inclusion in the recent ATV series of "Oh! Boy". The hard work is certainly starting to pay off. The standard that SHADES have set in the surprisingly short time they have been on the scene, has given effective encouragement to the many new and upcoming bands that are ever mushrooming onto the rock n roll circuit. Not only in the sharp way in which they deliver their songs though, but equally important, in the slick, professional presentation that they achieve that is much a part of a successful stage performance.
Very few bands can handle rock n roll standards safely and inevitable comparisons with the originals belittle any prospective cover versions but somehow SHADES seem to make material like "Say Mama" and "Bony Moroni" sound as if it had been intended for them in the first place. That's why the boys are heroes, because they can generate that same magic that those early rock n roll classics had captured and most important of all, it's a whole new generation of rock n roll fans that are able to go along and witness SHADES delivering the goods. It's heartwarming to think that with bands like SHADES around there's gonna be lots and lots of good rock n roll for a long time to come yet.
Stuart Colman, 1979
BBC Radio One DJ
Very few bands can handle rock n roll standards safely and inevitable comparisons with the originals belittle any prospective cover versions but somehow SHADES seem to make material like "Say Mama" and "Bony Moroni" sound as if it had been intended for them in the first place. That's why the boys are heroes, because they can generate that same magic that those early rock n roll classics had captured and most important of all, it's a whole new generation of rock n roll fans that are able to go along and witness SHADES delivering the goods. It's heartwarming to think that with bands like SHADES around there's gonna be lots and lots of good rock n roll for a long time to come yet.
Stuart Colman, 1979
BBC Radio One DJ
Shades, Ace of Shades (Magnum Force, 1981)
Only very occasionally an act comes to public attention by the high standard of its' live performances. Such an act is SHADES, one of the newer, traditional rock n roll bands. They have won over live audiences from Scotland to Cornwall, where as it happens, they come from. Record success in Europe and a prestigious series of appearances in Jack Good's "Oh Boy!" television shows have resulted in SHADES becoming one of the largest crowd drawing rock n roll outfits in the country today.
Magnum Force records are justly proud of these recordings as they illustrate perfectly the full and diverse range of the band's talent, from their own brand of instrumental number to pounding rockers like "Hi Ho Silver". If your taste is Do Wop, that too is here by way of "Georgina" a number penned and totally performed, save for the drums, by the band's very own Spike Hooper. Rockabilly diehards will love the Don Gibson original "Sweet Sweet Girl to Me" and horror freaks will zombie around to " Dinner with Drac". And by the way, don't miss an opportunity to see SHADES live. You certainly will not be disappointed.
Nigel Molden, 1981
Record Producer
Magnum Force records are justly proud of these recordings as they illustrate perfectly the full and diverse range of the band's talent, from their own brand of instrumental number to pounding rockers like "Hi Ho Silver". If your taste is Do Wop, that too is here by way of "Georgina" a number penned and totally performed, save for the drums, by the band's very own Spike Hooper. Rockabilly diehards will love the Don Gibson original "Sweet Sweet Girl to Me" and horror freaks will zombie around to " Dinner with Drac". And by the way, don't miss an opportunity to see SHADES live. You certainly will not be disappointed.
Nigel Molden, 1981
Record Producer
