White Shag

“ROCKWIRED has always had a thing for strong female fronted bands and WHITE SHAG gave that to us in abundance with a heavy fucking sound that combined the likes of LED ZEPPELIN and SUZI QUATRO. They were just one of the many bands that came to us from the Motor City this year and they are one of three to make onto the year end list.” - Rockwired Magazine

“MC’s annual, eagerly awaited Hot 100 list spotlights the live performers who made us sit up and take notice in 2012. Those involved in determining the results of this year’s poll included not only Music Connection staff members, but freelance journalists, club bookers and other industry professionals from across the US. White Shag is one of those artists.” - Music Connection

“The band White Shag have electrified audiences with their one-of-a-kind stage presence and raucous sound that comes off as Janis Joplin meets Creem. The rhythm section of Laura Mendoza and drummer Joe Leone set the thunderous proceedings in motion but it is ax man Jorge Cortez who sets off the pyrotechnics on the mother fucker! Pure unadulterated rock n roll is what's on display here and just enough showmanship to keep you coming back for more.” - Brian Lush, Rockwired Magazine

"This band fires up a scorching stoner-metal ruckus, its fist clenched, boots ready to kick you right in the chin from the stage, resurrecting MC5-refined, Motorhead-melded raucousness." - Jeff Milo, The Metro Times

“They need to put out a full-length, no, I need them to put out a full-length album, I need more of this! The songs have massive riffs, hooks galore and keep the tradition of incredible Detroit bands going. Grab this EP, go see them live and tell them that you want more music from them.” - Rick Ecker, Altered Frequencies

“There are power trios and then there is White Shag- a band with a powerful sound that's taking the town of Detroit by storm thanks to the release of their self-titled EP. Lead vocalist and bassist Laura Mendoza is a rock and roll wild woman with a vein of Suzi Quatro and she's got some no nonsense tracks that she can sink her fangs into such as "Die For Me", "Penetration" and "Violate Me". A dynamic frontwoman and bassist are all well and good but what would White Shag be without guitarist Jorge Cortez and drummer Joe Leone?” - Rockwired Magazine

“Some seriously major Rock`N Roll influences are stacked up in this Detroit band`s press release, but as the first rule of Rock insists on total attitude magnification, White Shag have probably shortened this list quite considerably. The Detroit trio is fronted by the magnetically charged Laura Mendoza, her duties in female Rock`N Roll artistry are indeed limitless, low slung bass routines and a sexy vocal innuendo will always ensure a show`s maximum attendance. Relentless thundering percussion holds together the raucous exuberance of this sweaty glam-fest, Guitarist, Jorge Cortez could conceivably strap a feedback infused six-string on each arm and still pause for some ingeniously braided riffage, grab a slice of White Shag`s benevolent pre-Punk standards, the four track EP is available now with all of it`s timeless implications and fantastic theatrical vigor – A marvelously photogenic start to our audio week.” - Andy, Mojophenia

“These guys sincerely state an ambition to become one of the best rock bands of all time. Now, it would usually be difficult to contain laughter if a band said that but, when it is uttered from these mouths, it’s hard not to get carried away with the complete and absolute passion for their music. No fronting, no cockiness, White Shag wants to make Detroit rock ’n’ roll the way they want to hear Detroit rock ’n’ roll.” - Brett Callwood, Metro Times

"White Shag is an awesome band. Led by the unpredictable, awesome, hypnotic Laura Mendoza, the band ropes together everything that was great about the ‘70s and ‘80s – the substance is there but they’re not afraid of a little style either. The tunes are hooky as fuck on the four tracks that make up this self-titled EP, and the riffs are massive. Think the Darkness with a magnificent Detroit chick up front. What could be better?" - Brett Callwood, The Metro Times

"White Shag is an engaging and highly entertaining group that is sure to satisfy. Their time-honored mash of rock star flair and meat and potatoes riffage should appeal to music fans of all ages. And their heavy sound and visual onslaught has just the right amount of danger, but comes off as something more approachable and real than off-putting. Mendoza and company are an essential representation of what's cooking in Detroit and certainly poised for wider things on the national scale as well. " - Eric Harabadian, Music Connection

ROCKWIRED has always had a thing for strong female fronted bands and WHITE SHAG gave that to us in abundance with a heavy fucking sound that combined the likes of LED ZEPPELIN and SUZI QUATRO. They were just one of the many bands that came to us from the Motor City this year and they are one of three to make onto the year end list.
- ROCKWiRED MAGAZINE

MC’s annual, eagerly awaited Hot 100 list spotlights the live performers who made us sit up and take notice in 2012. Those involved in determining the results of this year’s poll included not only Music Connection staff members, but freelance journalists, club bookers and other industry professionals from across the US. - Music Connection Magazine

WHITE SHAG began in 2009 in Michigan and have put out their debut self-titled four song EP of high energy rock music.

“Die For Me” is the blistering first track on their EP, with its fast pace and vocalist and bassist Laura Mendoza’s vocals that are strong, sexy and have a bit of Cherie Currie from THE RUNAWAYS feel to them, her fat bass playing gives the songs a heaviness, Jorge Cortez’s guitar playing is stellar, lots of solos and tasty leads, and Joe Leone’s drumming propels the band into the stratosphere. “Penetration” is a great song with Cortez just going wild on the guitar, and Mendoza’s vocals being sharp, biting and gritty with a great hard rock song that you just have to turn up to eleven. “’78 Trans Am” has a great groove that you could get up and dance to and work up a sweat to, and “Violate Me” is a fuzzed out hard rock song that makes me wish that I still had long hair to whip around while listening to it and this song was just the perfect cap to an EP that just teases you with how good WHITE SHAG are.

They need to put out a full-length, no, I need them to put out a full-length album, I need more of this! The songs have massive riffs, hooks galore and keep the tradition of incredible Detroit bands going. Grab this EP, go see them live and tell them that you want more music from them. - Altered Frequencies

“The band White Shag have electrified audiences with their one-of-a-kind stage presence and raucous sound that comes off as Janis Joplin meets Creem. The rhythm section of Laura Mendoza and drummer Joe Leone set the thunderous proceedings in motion but it is ax man Jorge Cortez who sets off the pyrotechnics on the mother fucker! Pure unadulterated rock n roll is what's on display here and just enough showmanship to keep you coming back for more.” - www.rockwired.com

Local rockers White Shag are a trio, consisting of Laura Mendoza on vocals and bass, Jorge Cortez on lead guitar and vocals, and Joe Leone manning the drums. Their self-titled EP, released in 2012 consists of 4 songs: ’78 Trans Am, Die For Me, Penetration, and Violate Me.

Now, given White Shag’s multiple influences such as the MC5, Rolling Stones, Queens of the Stone Age, Zeppelin, Bowie and Iggy and the Stooges, you can already guess the appeal of the album to my ear buds. The first song of the EP, ’78 Trans Am starts with a poppy-type edge to a well balanced mix of sounds. Each note is well executed to each tempo. Plus the vocals are a perfect match to the band itself – now that’s something that I would not change one bit! The other three songs offer some of the same sound as the first on the album. Each song features that signature White Shag sound, which isn’t a bad thing since that sound has a very addictive ring to it. I have to admit that the lyrics stick in my head constantly and I find it almost distracting as I start to hum the tunes throughout the day. I’m almost ready to hit that dance floor to keep up with it all.

Overall, it is my opinion that White Shags self-titled EP should belong among the Best of Detroit, and should in turn belong in everyone’s playlist. Just the perfect blend of dirty garage dirt and melodic dream tone that is true to the tone of Detroit Rock. - Radio OPIE

White Shag is an awesome band. Led by the unpredictable, awesome, hypnotic Laura Mendoza, the band ropes together everything that was great about the ‘70s and ‘80s – the substance is there but they’re not afraid of a little style either. The tunes are hooky as fuck on the four tracks that make up this self-titled EP, and the riffs are massive. Think the Darkness with a magnificent Detroit chick up front. What could be better? - Detroit Metro Times

White Shag is on a mission. A crusade, if you will. You see, White Shag believes that there aren’t enough bands in Detroit carrying the raucous rock ’n’ roll torch originally lit by the likes of the MC5 and the Stooges, and they believe they’re the guys to carry on that grand tradition of filth and fury. You might heartily agree with them or you might disagree with them entirely. After all, this isn’t a city lacking in quality rock bands. But whether this band, led by singer-bassist Laura Mendoza and guitarist Jorge Cortez, is right or wrong isn’t really the issue.
The intent is admirable. These guys sincerely state an ambition to become one of the best rock bands of all time. Now, it would usually be difficult to contain laughter if a band said that but, when it is uttered from these mouths, it’s hard not to get carried away with the complete and absolute passion for their music. No fronting, no cockiness, White Shag wants to make Detroit rock ’n’ roll the way they want to hear Detroit rock ’n’ roll.
The band, completed by drummer Joe Leone (also of Amy Gore & Her Valentines), originally formed in the fall of 2009, a love for Queens of the Stone Age, the Eagles of Death Metal and the aforementioned Detroit rockers lighting the path. “We started jamming and we have our influences, of course, but we never sat down and said, ‘We need to sound like this or that,’” Mendoza says. “Your influences are there no matter what. When you pick up your instruments and start playing, the sound that comes out is what it is. You have to let it be. You need to be yourself and let that be what it is. Be true to yourself and let people feel that, and if they dig it they dig it. If they don’t, they don’t.”
Before Mendoza and Cortez found each other, the guitarist was playing in bands around town like the Go, Duende! and the Brothers Cortez. Mendoza had played in a few bands in Santiago, Chile (her mother’s homeland), where she lived for seven years before coming to Michigan. Once here, she was squeaking out a living as a street busker. Cortez earned a few bucks that way too. “We just played on the streets because we were poor,” Mendoza says. “In downtown Ann Arbor, on a Friday night, you could make a lot of money. Jorge jammed with a couple of blues guys on the street, but we just did covers really. Songs that people knew. I played my acoustic and I would sing, leave my case open and the money would hopefully come pouring in. If you can grab that audience, that’s an accomplishment in itself because they’re not looking to go hear some music. You’re just playing on the street. If they’re walking by and they have a meeting in 10 minutes, and you can stop them, then you’ve done something. It’s gratifying.”
With Mendoza’s Chilean roots added to the fact that Cortez’s ethnicity is Paraguayan, it would almost be weird if some Latin influence didn’t find its way into the White Shag sound. “We’re really tied to our Latin roots,” says Mendoza. “What we take from that is the passion. That’s the big thing. That’s how Latinos do it, man. They love their rock ’n’ roll. They love it balls-out. You’ve got to give it all or nothing. There’s no point being on a stage if you’re not gonna do that.”
“I always liked Santana,” Cortez adds. “He’s an influence. Actually we’re working on some Latin language songs right now.”
As Mendoza suggests, passion is not something that White Shag is lacking in. Mendoza manages to perform extravagantly and almost salaciously, all sweat and skimpy clothing, all the while retaining the air of the strong, in-control woman. Far from being objectified, Mendoza celebrates her femininity every time she performs, and she does it on her terms. She’s like Iggy Pop in Cherie Currie’s body. Frankly, she’s a badass.
“It’s who we are,” she says. “Sensuality is a very big part of Latin culture. It comes back to the passion. We’re just naturally sexy bastards. There’s no sense in being something you’re not. I am being who I am. I want to put that image out there. Yes, a woman can be sensual and sexy without being a sex object. She can still rock out. I think that’s something that lacks in a lot of female performers. They’re sexy but they don’t know how to be sexual or sensual. They just wear very few clothes, then they dance around and shake their asses. That’s my personality — it’s important to be strong woman, but I want to be equal to my male counterparts too. A lot of women are feminists, but feminism can be just as bad as sexism. Really what matters is equal-ism. I want to be treated equal. As a woman I’ve fought a lot. In Chile, it was bad down there. They discriminate against women in music. I was the only woman in the music class I took. I had to deal with professors who said that women didn’t have the mental capacity to be musicians. I had to prove myself. It was not fun, although a lot of that had to do with the culture.”
Mendoza doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone but herself, and she aims to do that ev - Detroit Metro Times

Some seriously major Rock`N Roll influences are stacked up in this Detroit band`s press release, but as the first rule of Rock insists on total attitude magnification, White Shag have probably shortened this list quite considerably. The Detroit trio is fronted by the magnetically charged Laura Mendoza, her duties in female Rock`N Roll artistry are indeed limitless, low slung bass routines and a sexy vocal innuendo will always ensure a show`s maximum attendance. Relentless thundering percussion holds together the raucous exuberance of this sweaty glam-fest, Guitarist, Jorge Cortez could conceivably strap a feedback infused six-string on each arm and still pause for some ingeniously braided riffage, grab a slice of White Shag`s benevolent pre-Punk standards, the four track EP is available now with all of it`s timeless implications and fantastic theatrical vigor – A marvelously photogenic start to our audio week. - Mojophenia

"There are power trios and then there is White Shag- a band with a powerful sound that's taking the town of Detroit by storm thanks to the release of their self-titled EP. Lead vocalist and bassist Laura Mendoza is a rock and roll wild woman with a vein of Suzi Quatro and she's got some no nonsense tracks that she can sink her fangs into such as "Die For Me", "Penetration" and "Violate Me". A dynamic frontwoman and bassist are all well and good but what would White Shag be without guitarist Jorge Cortez and drummer Joe Leone?" - ROCKWiRED Magazine

WHITE SHAG began in 2009 in Michigan and have put out their debut self-titled four song EP of high energy rock music.

“Die For Me” is the blistering first track on their EP, with its fast pace and vocalist and bassist Laura Mendoza’s vocals that are strong, sexy and have a bit of Cherie Currie from THE RUNAWAYS feel to them, her fat bass playing gives the songs a heaviness, Jorge Cortez’s guitar playing is stellar, lots of solos and tasty leads, and Joe Leone’s drumming propels the band into the stratosphere. “Penetration” is a great song with Cortez just going wild on the guitar, and Mendoza’s vocals being sharp, biting and gritty with a great hard rock song that you just have to turn up to eleven. “’78 Trans Am” has a great groove that you could get up and dance to and work up a sweat to, and “Violate Me” is a fuzzed out hard rock song that makes me wish that I still had long hair to whip around while listening to it and this song was just the perfect cap to an EP that just teases you with how good WHITE SHAG are.

They need to put out a full-length, no, I need them to put out a full-length album, I need more of this! The songs have massive riffs, hooks galore and keep the tradition of incredible Detroit bands going. Grab this EP, go see them live and tell them that you want more music from them. - Altered Frequencies

Laura Mendoza( bass- vocals), Jorge Cortez( guitar-vocals) and Joe Leone (Drums) head up the Detroit trio White Shag. I've had the pleasure of seeing the band lite up the stage several times now and can attest to the heat they generate onstage. How will that live chemistry and hyper sexuality translate to a studio release? Well I'm here to say they did a damn fine job... Not sure if the songs were recorded live or the traditional track by track over and over again but however they did it they did not lose anything in the process. The band and sound they have is a late 70's groove with out all the pretentious soloing and non sense, stripped down like the Stones meets Thin Lizzy. '78 Trans Am is a song that just puts it to the floor right away. Lyrically, it reminds me of Queens "I'm In Love With My Car" where your not sure exactly if they are singing about the car or girl. You decide,sweet song either way. Die For Me has been one of White Shags most popular songs live and having it recorded now its sure to get even bigger for the band. Up tempo and really gives the whole band a chance to flex their musical muscle. Penetration. Damn, this is the first song in a long time that well, lets put it this way, it has very primal effect on me. If that's what White Shag was going for on this tune, congrats! The music has a very early Black Sabbath blues to start with and then hits a Zeppelin groove.Not only Laura vocal enticements working here but Jorge's guitar work on this tune is just out of this world. Violate Me picks right up where Penetration left off. Great rocker of a song which will have ya dancing with your PBR can in the air. Great EP that I would defiantly recommend for any ones collection. White Shag is doing the Detroit music scene proud with this release. My only issue is that a four song EP is just a too much of a tease. I wanted 30-40 minuets and all I got was a quickie.
- Punk Globe

"White Shag, who just released their debut 4-song EP earlier this month, showed once again that they are a band to watch! Coming on strong, this trio kicked ass with their version of the MC5 anthem, "Kick Out the Jam's." Led by the powerhouse vocals of Laura Mendoza, they show they are becoming a force to be reckoned with." - Sue Static

Laura Mendoza-White Shag- This Dayton, Ohio native now living in Detroit given her fantastic voice, great looks and sexy stage presence could by all right sell out and make pop music and be a success in no time. But she loves to rock and that she does.The band she heads up is beginning to heat up in Detroit and I have no doubt great things are in their future. Anxious to see them again soon and see how they evolve.Not only that but I've just a little harmless middle age crush on this one. Lol.
- Punk Globe

White Shag was summarized to me as, “Queens of the Stone Age, but with a female singer,” on the ride over to the New Dodge in Hamtramck, Saturday night. I immediately and viscerally turned up my nose; I am unapologetically particular when it comes to female vocalists in general, but especially female rock vocalists, as the handful of popular female-fronted bands that spring to mind, like Heart and The Go-Go’s with their saccharine, pristine tone tend to make my neo-hippie skin crawl. Plus, my opinion of Queens of the Stone Age can only be described as one of aloof disinterest. My tanked hopes for the evening were only compounded by the barely breathing and cavernous New Dodge, with it’s cathedral ceilings ominously lowering 19th century chandeliers and omnipresent, pitchy walnut coating every surface. It had an antiqued moodiness I normally clamor for, but paired with the paltry crowd, it made for a brooding atmosphere.
White Shag instantly and thankfully changed the morose and looming aura to one of unadulterated rock and roll spirit I so lust for on a Saturday night, with their fistfuls-of-energy, over-sexed, straight-on rock music. The band’s core members consist of Laura Mendoza, on bass and lead vocals, and Jorge Cortez on lead/rhythm guitar and vocals with special guest drummer Evan Hakim, from The Fake Take, rounding out the three-piece. They sounded remarkably tight for having only played together for just under six hours; Hakim’s wild, emphatic banging fit so seamlessly into the tunes, like they’d been playing together for years. But it was the vivacious and captivating firecracker, Mendoza, that erected my dwindling attention. She strutted and high-kicked her way around the lackluster stage in between cool R & B-inspired bass grooves and raw, deep cackles that Janis herself would have howled had she lived long enough to go glam. Mendoza’s voice has the unrestrained sexual intensity of Fiona Apple with the kick-ass pop attitude of Veruca Salt’s Louise Post. Obviously influenced by the late 60's/early 70's proto-punk scene, like the Stooges or MC5, yet there was a detectable 90's alt rock/grunge vein, that I’ve grown so nostalgic for, running through the songs. I did get that hint of Queens of the Stone Age, but Cortez’ wailing psychedelic-tinged guitar solos and novel high-part harmonies to Mendoza’s lows made it more than palatable. Undoubtedly, Mendoza stole the set with her coarse, organic vocals, wide, expressive eyes, and Mick Jagger meets late 80's Sunset Strip-per stage presence. I found myself thinking how they could just as easily be playing Late Night as the New Dodge; they have a commercial appeal without the pandering or selling out. It’s bands like the raucous, fervent White Shag that could go a long way to restoring female-fronted band’s street cred.
Post Script: As is the way with bands, members tend to come and go on a blithely regular basis, but White Shag has cleverly decided to turn their search for a new drummer into an event. Four finalists will be competing in a drum-off this Tuesday, November 8th at uDetroit Cafe at 8:00 PM. The audience will get to cast their vote after the performances and White Shag will determine the winner to be announced at the end of the show. - Detroit Underground

White Shag was summarized to me as, “Queens of the Stone Age, but with a female singer,” on the ride over to the New Dodge in Hamtramck, Saturday night. I immediately and viscerally turned up my nose; I am unapologetically particular when it comes to female vocalists in general, but especially female rock vocalists, as the handful of popular female-fronted bands that spring to mind, like Heart and The Go-Go’s with their saccharine, pristine tone tend to make my neo-hippie skin crawl. Plus, my opinion of Queens of the Stone Age can only be described as one of aloof disinterest. My tanked hopes for the evening were only compounded by the barely breathing and cavernous New Dodge, with it’s cathedral ceilings ominously lowering 19th century chandeliers and omnipresent, pitchy walnut coating every surface. It had an antiqued moodiness I normally clamor for, but paired with the paltry crowd, it made for a brooding atmosphere.
White Shag instantly and thankfully changed the morose and looming aura to one of unadulterated rock and roll spirit I so lust for on a Saturday night, with their fistfuls-of-energy, over-sexed, straight-on rock music. The band’s core members consist of Laura Mendoza, on bass and lead vocals, and Jorge Cortez on lead/rhythm guitar and vocals with special guest drummer Evan Hakim, from The Fake Take, rounding out the three-piece. They sounded remarkably tight for having only played together for just under six hours; Hakim’s wild, emphatic banging fit so seamlessly into the tunes, like they’d been playing together for years. But it was the vivacious and captivating firecracker, Mendoza, that erected my dwindling attention. She strutted and high-kicked her way around the lackluster stage in between cool R & B-inspired bass grooves and raw, deep cackles that Janis herself would have howled had she lived long enough to go glam. Mendoza’s voice has the unrestrained sexual intensity of Fiona Apple with the kick-ass pop attitude of Veruca Salt’s Louise Post. Obviously influenced by the late 60's/early 70's proto-punk scene, like the Stooges or MC5, yet there was a detectable 90's alt rock/grunge vein, that I’ve grown so nostalgic for, running through the songs. I did get that hint of Queens of the Stone Age, but Cortez’ wailing psychedelic-tinged guitar solos and novel high-part harmonies to Mendoza’s lows made it more than palatable. Undoubtedly, Mendoza stole the set with her coarse, organic vocals, wide, expressive eyes, and Mick Jagger meets late 80's Sunset Strip-per stage presence. I found myself thinking how they could just as easily be playing Late Night as the New Dodge; they have a commercial appeal without the pandering or selling out. It’s bands like the raucous, fervent White Shag that could go a long way to restoring female-fronted band’s street cred.
Post Script: As is the way with bands, members tend to come and go on a blithely regular basis, but White Shag has cleverly decided to turn their search for a new drummer into an event. Four finalists will be competing in a drum-off this Tuesday, November 8th at uDetroit Cafe at 8:00 PM. The audience will get to cast their vote after the performances and White Shag will determine the winner to be announced at the end of the show. - Detroit Underground