The Alabama Shakes are releasing their much anticipated debut studio album, Boys & Girls, April 10, 2012. In addition to the album release, the Alabama Shakes will take off on a headlining tour to support their album. The tour will take the group to cities all across the United States as well as many cities abroad with most of the shows already listed as “sold out.”
The Alabama Shakes’ tale starts in Athens, Alabama. Lead singer Brittany Howard approached bassist Zac Cockrell in a psychology class. The two musicians began writing songs after school and experimented with various styles. Drummer Steve Johnson, an employee of the only music store in town, was asked to join the band and the three members soon went to record a few of the songs they’d written. The fourth and final member, guitarist Heath Fogg, joined up after asking the group to open for him. The trio agreed on the condition that he join them for the show and the musical chemistry that resulted was explosive.
CHECK OUT ALABAMA SHAKES “HOLD ON” MUSIC VIDEO
The group was originally named The Shakes, but later changed to Alabama Shakes to distinguish themselves from other similarly named bands. They started out incorporating cover songs as well as original material while playing out and eventually ended up in a Nashville studio. They signed with Rough Trade Records out of the UK and ATO records in the US and have already had television appearances. Alabama Shakes have been dubbed one of MTV’s bands to watch in 2012 and they have gotten a lot of attention in a short amount of time. Alabama Shakes will definitely find success this year as their tour heats up and more people hear their passion for music and get pulled in by their catchy beats.
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