The Shakin' Pyramids
Encyclopedia
The Shakin' Pyramids were a Scottish
rockabilly
band formed in Glasgow
in the late 1970s. The band consisted of Dave Duncan (vocals, harmonica
, percussion) James G. Creighton (acoustic & electric guitar
, vocals) and "Railroad" Ken McLellan (acoustic guitar, vocals).
During the band's recording career from 1980–1983, they released two studio albums, four singles and three extended plays—one of which was recorded with the late British recording star Lonnie Donegan
. A 1983 compilation album was released shortly after the group's disbandment, and a live album followed in 2001. Although the band did not enjoy any major chart successes, their work was generally well received by critics. They earned a fan base through their energetic live performances, which were originally honed on the streets of Glasgow and later exhibited via their extensive touring and a number of television appearances. In recent years, their work has been described as having helped define the short-lived rockabilly revival of the early 1980s.
.
. Their first EP, entitled Take a Trip, was released the following year. The title track appeared on their debut album, entitled Skin 'Em Up
(1981), which was released to positive reviews, notably receiving perfect review ratings in popular publications such as NME and Rolling Stone
, as well as being cited in later years as a favourite among rockabilly collectors. Allmusic, who also praised the record, described it as having "helped define the short-lived rockabilly revival of the early '80s." The album was promoted by a single, "Tennessee Rock 'n 'Roll", which was also released as an EP featuring original b-side "Alright Alnight" and two new tracks. That year, the band increased their profile by recording and releasing a third and final EP with the late British recording star Lonnie Donegan
, who has been described by the Guinness Book of British Hit Singles & Albums as "Britain's most successful and influential recording artist before The Beatles
."
The band's second and final studio album, Celts and Cobras
(1982) – on the cover of which they were billed as "Shakin' Pyramids" – was more diverse in its style but was not as warmly received as the band's debut release. Trouser Press
declared that "The band still rocks, but they'd better figure out where they're going." "Just a Memory" was released as the album's first single, followed by "Pharaoh's Chant". The band toured with Men at Work
in 1983, playing Celts and Cobras to larger audiences. At the peak of their popularity, the band played to audiences worldwide, as well as making a number of television appearances. Ultimately, Celts and Cobras was seen as a departure from their original sound, and the group disbanded in 1983, mid-way through a Canadian tour.
(1983), a compilation album, was released shortly after the group's disbandment by Rock 'n Roll Records
, a Scotti Brothers Records
subsidiary. A live set recorded at the Kelvingrove Free Music Festival in Glasgow in May 1981 was released as Reeferbilly Blowout
by Raucous Records
in 2001. Bootleg compilation albums, such as Shakin' Pyramids: The Collection, have also surfaced over the years.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
rockabilly
Rockabilly
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to the early 1950s.The term rockabilly is a portmanteau of rock and hillbilly, the latter a reference to the country music that contributed strongly to the style's development...
band formed in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
in the late 1970s. The band consisted of Dave Duncan (vocals, harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
, percussion) James G. Creighton (acoustic & electric guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocals) and "Railroad" Ken McLellan (acoustic guitar, vocals).
During the band's recording career from 1980–1983, they released two studio albums, four singles and three extended plays—one of which was recorded with the late British recording star Lonnie Donegan
Lonnie Donegan
Anthony James "Lonnie" Donegan MBE was a skiffle musician, with more than 20 UK Top 30 hits to his name. He is known as the "King of Skiffle" and is often cited as a large influence on the generation of British musicians who became famous in the 1960s...
. A 1983 compilation album was released shortly after the group's disbandment, and a live album followed in 2001. Although the band did not enjoy any major chart successes, their work was generally well received by critics. They earned a fan base through their energetic live performances, which were originally honed on the streets of Glasgow and later exhibited via their extensive touring and a number of television appearances. In recent years, their work has been described as having helped define the short-lived rockabilly revival of the early 1980s.
Busking
The Shakin' Pyramids originally formed in the late 1970s as buskers and quickly gained a reputation for their live performances on the streets of Glasgow. The band then spent time in France writing material and developing their sound while using their busking skills to pay their way. Upon returning to Scotland, The Shakin' Pyramids signed a record deal with Cuba Libre, a subsidiary of Virgin RecordsVirgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
.
Recording career
The band's first song for the label, "Reeferbilly Boogie", was recorded in 1980 on a four-track recorder at the Hellfire club in Glasgow, and was unexpectedly named "Single of the Week" by NMENME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
. Their first EP, entitled Take a Trip, was released the following year. The title track appeared on their debut album, entitled Skin 'Em Up
Skin 'Em Up
Side B-Reception:Skin 'Em Up has received enthusiastic reviews from a number of notable publications. NME and Rolling Stone both gave the album perfect review ratings, awarding it 10/10 and 5/5, respectively. Trouser Press wrote, "The album pounds furiously, putting your average megawatt metal band...
(1981), which was released to positive reviews, notably receiving perfect review ratings in popular publications such as NME and Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
, as well as being cited in later years as a favourite among rockabilly collectors. Allmusic, who also praised the record, described it as having "helped define the short-lived rockabilly revival of the early '80s." The album was promoted by a single, "Tennessee Rock 'n 'Roll", which was also released as an EP featuring original b-side "Alright Alnight" and two new tracks. That year, the band increased their profile by recording and releasing a third and final EP with the late British recording star Lonnie Donegan
Lonnie Donegan
Anthony James "Lonnie" Donegan MBE was a skiffle musician, with more than 20 UK Top 30 hits to his name. He is known as the "King of Skiffle" and is often cited as a large influence on the generation of British musicians who became famous in the 1960s...
, who has been described by the Guinness Book of British Hit Singles & Albums as "Britain's most successful and influential recording artist before The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
."
The band's second and final studio album, Celts and Cobras
Celts and Cobras
Side B:- Reception :Celts and Cobras was seen by some as a departure from the band's original sound, and the group disbanded soon after its release. While debut album Skin 'Em Up had garnered a 5/5 star rating from Rolling Stone, the magazine awarded Celts and Cobras only 3 stars...
(1982) – on the cover of which they were billed as "Shakin' Pyramids" – was more diverse in its style but was not as warmly received as the band's debut release. Trouser Press
Trouser Press
Trouser Press was a rock and roll magazine started in New York in 1974 as a mimeographed fanzine by editor/publisher Ira Robbins, fellow Who fan Dave Schulps and Karen Rose under the name "Trans-Oceanic Trouser Press" ...
declared that "The band still rocks, but they'd better figure out where they're going." "Just a Memory" was released as the album's first single, followed by "Pharaoh's Chant". The band toured with Men at Work
Men at Work
Men at Work are an Australian rock band who achieved international success in the 1980s. They are the only Australian artists to have a simultaneous #1 album and #1 single in the United States . They achieved the same distinction of a simultaneous #1 album and #1 single in the United Kingdom...
in 1983, playing Celts and Cobras to larger audiences. At the peak of their popularity, the band played to audiences worldwide, as well as making a number of television appearances. Ultimately, Celts and Cobras was seen as a departure from their original sound, and the group disbanded in 1983, mid-way through a Canadian tour.
Subsequent releases
The Shakin' PyramidsThe Shakin' Pyramids (album)
The Shakin' Pyramids is a compilation album from the Scottish Neo-Rockabilly group The Shakin' Pyramids, released shortly after the group's disbandment in 1983 by Rock 'n Roll Records, a Scotti Brothers Records subsidiary...
(1983), a compilation album, was released shortly after the group's disbandment by Rock 'n Roll Records
Rock 'n Roll Records
Rock 'n Roll Records was a subsidiary record label under Scotti Brothers Records , which was a California-based record label founded by Tony and Ben Scotti. The label is most noted for helping to launch the career of parodist "Weird Al" Yankovic....
, a Scotti Brothers Records
Scotti Brothers Records
Scotti Brothers Records was a California-based record label founded by Tony and Ben Scotti in 1974. Their first success was releasing albums from teen pop star Leif Garrett. They later helped launch the careers of Felony, Survivor, and "Weird Al" Yankovic...
subsidiary. A live set recorded at the Kelvingrove Free Music Festival in Glasgow in May 1981 was released as Reeferbilly Blowout
Reeferbilly Blowout
Reeferbilly Blowout is a live album from the Scottish Neo-Rockabilly group The Shakin' Pyramids. It was recorded 24 May 1981 at Kelvingrove Free Music Festival in Glasgow.- Personnel :*Davie Duncan – lead vocals*James G...
by Raucous Records
Raucous Records
Raucous Records is a British record label focusing on rockabilly, psychobilly, rock and roll, and surf music. The label has released albums such as "Between The Polecats" by The Polecats, "Rock 'n' Roll Fever" by Jay Chance, "Rockabilly Express" by Gary Setzer and Barry Ryan, "The Lost Album" by...
in 2001. Bootleg compilation albums, such as Shakin' Pyramids: The Collection, have also surfaced over the years.
Extended plays
- Take a Trip (1981)
- Tennessee Rock 'n 'Roll (1981)
- The Shakin' Pyramids and Lonnie Donegan EP (1981)
Singles
- "Reeferbilly Boogie" (1980)
- "Tennesee Rock 'n 'Roll" (1981)
- "Just a Memory" (1982)
- "Pharaoh's Chant" (1982)