Music
Press
"Dear Shellbacks:
I want to thank you for playing aboard the Tall Ship Mystic on the occasion of Keli's 40th birthday. Your Celtic and shanty inspired music was perfect for this pirate-themed event! All of the guests loved the music and you were more than eager to accommodate their requests.
You were easy to work with during the planning stage, organized, arrived on time, and even stayed around a bit longer to entertain guests who just weren't ready to call it a night!
Please feel free to use me as a reference, you will always be highly recommended!
Sincerely, Kathleen Caron" - Kathleen Caron
Discography
CD: "Sailing the Seven Songs" available at performances. Also available at myspace.com/shellbacks
Photos
Bio
Shellback: A nautical term for an experienced sailor.
In 2007, fresh from the break-up of CT pop punk band Boys From Recreation Park, guitarist Charlie McShane decided to take his musical hobby in a different direction. With an acoustic guitar and a love of The Pogues, he began to play around with a couple old Irish standards. He figured it might be more fun if he got more people involved, and started to look around.
Enter mandolinist Edgar James Yother V. Ed found Charlie's "musicians wanted" ad and got in contact. Formerly of CT ska band The Sifters, Ed had also played in The Soul Merchants with Rec Park's singer, Greg Brayman. With Ed's encyclopedic knowledge of celtic-folk and sea music, the group was on it's way.
Charlie knew Bill Pruchnicki was eager to get back to playing music. An experienced drummer who has played everything from death metal to acoustic-alt folk, Bill reduced his drum set to merely the bass and snare and started learning the classics.
Looking to add to the sound, the band now called "Shellbacks" enlisted Greg Brayman from CT reggae band The Soul Merchants on washboard and backing vocals, expanding the repertoire and playing out.
The band entered The Pad studios in early 2008 to record "Sailing The Seven Songs" with producer Matt Mauro. With a distinct unplugged sound, "SSS" showed the band's affinity for traditional tunes and shanteys with a slight punk flavor carried over from their previous bands.
The band's set list is constantly expanding and they will play anywhere, from clubs to bars to basements.
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