The Shanks

Founded in 2005, the SHANKS are the rocknroll palatinate of songwriter/vocalist/bassist Ian Donald Starkey (Pistolwhip von Shankenstein). Riding 2011’s wave of heretofore unknown success, The SHANKS CV includes distribution on Fading Ways (UK), an EXCLAIM! Magazine “Album of the Year” nomination, American tour dates, showcase bookings at Canadian Music Week and NXNE, opening slots with the Arkells, college radio support and arena performances for pro boxing events and the Tri-City Roller Girls. 'On a farm in the middle of nowhere the SHANKS fine-tuned their bass/drum assault. Despite the lack of members, SHANKS manage to create some big-sounding music, stacking the haunting vocals of Pistolwhip von Shankenstein over pounding drumming" EXCLAIM! Choosing to focus more on stripped-down arrangements that emphasized his fresh chordal approach to busting out steep jams on the electric bass guitar, Starkey tapped drummer John David Brumell to play on the latest SHANKS release "Skordalia", in the process resurrecting some songs that were locked away since Starkey’s days as bassist and songwriter in the Toronto art rock outfit Nancy, Despot. The SHANKS have performed in a variety of surreal situations, including in the midst of professional fireworks exhibitions, inside sheep pens, roller derby arenas and boxing rings. In Falstaffian Pistolwhip's macabre and delusional theatre of the absurd, dramatic suspense, the chilling danger of raw firepower and fine quality cakes served in ethnic community halls are always major ingredients in putting on a powerful and emotional rock show. "Alice Cooper eat your heart out, Ian Starkey has found an interesting way to take leave of the everyday... a musical wizard who brings an epic quality to each tune" In The Hills "If you like the Dead Boys, you'll like the SHANKS... Chart-blasting two-piece rocknroll grenades for animal husbandry enthusiasts... do you really know where meat and potatoes come from?" New Music Canada / CBC3 "Deep, hard-driving rock that carries the listener along with a dark but captivating style" The Gauntlet "The SHANKS? It's like.... rock and roll high school!" Dave Bookman THE EDGE 102.1 We want to come and shake your town... no matter where you live. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loF_Gyix7WQ