BIOGRAPHY
THE SHAKE UPS are an indie rock and power-pop quartet based in Indianapolis. Formed in early 2005, the band's sound fuses co-ed vocals, catchy melodies, art school atmospherics, and bristling energy. They combine the eclecticism of the Beatles and XTC with the everyman vibe of the Pixies. THE SHAKE UPS are Patrick O'Connor (vocals, guitars), Bitsy Matatall (vocals, keyboards), Mike Homyk (bass) and Kathie O'Connor (drums).The band has split its five-year tenure between the Midwest and west coast, releasing several independent discs alongside projects from Blindspot Records and Not Lame Recordings. A new full-length, Warm Fuzzies, is out now from Gelatinous Productions. THE SHAKE UPS have performed at the legendary House of Blues in San Diego, and at such events as the International Pop Overthrow Festival and Temecula Summer Music Fest, among others.
THE SHAKE UPS continue to build on their reputation as a primary force in the independent music community.
PRESS QUOTES AND EXCERPTS
"Warm Fuzzies is a very appropriate title for this release because that’s just what you’ll get when you listen to it. This Indianapolis quartet delivers a lo-fi, power-pop masterpiece that just drips with classic influences such as The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Ramones, Apples in Stereo and Matthew Sweet, just to name a few. Crisp, clean strumming rhythm guitars, catchy leads that slice though the mix, smooth vocals that you can actually understand the words to, tasty drum parts, everything you need for a pitcher full of warm fuzzies. So, invite a few friends over and throw in this disc. You’ll love it and so will they... This really is a breath of fresh air." (Warm Fuzzies CD Review) - J.R. Oliver, Ear Candy Magazine, April, 2010
"The hands-down show-stealer of the evening was The Shake Ups. Everyone knew that - even the other bands commented on how great this band was... They're so good, they just might be my new favorite band. Fun, quirky, talented, and they have some of the most brilliant [expletive] songwriting chops that I've seen in quite some time... They put on an awesome live show, and their set sounds ridiculously good to boot. So, go see this band - today, if you can!" (Live Review, The Melody Inn) - Bud Stratford, The Solitary Life Of, May, 2010
"Initial perceptions can be misleading when listening to Warm Fuzzies, the new CD from Indianapolis pop-rock band The Shake Ups. On the surface, cuts such as “Pussycat,” “Cut Me Down” and “Sociopathic Butterfly” are joyful pop songs overflowing with bright melodies and candy-coated harmonies. However, the lyrics tell a different tale. Patrick O’Connor (vocals, guitar) has a penchant for bittersweet songs about dysfunction and confusion, punctuated by blasts of dirty electric guitar, which provide a nice tangy counterpoint to the sweetness." (Artist Feature) - Don Thrasher, Active Dayton, May, 2010
"Lots of catchy hooks and fresh sounds. Listening to Breathing the Flood, one is subjected to the full force of opaque influences. The Shake Ups take their inspirations and throw 'em all in a blender. The result is something new, something fresh and something all their own." (Breathing the Flood CD Review) - Kent Manthie, Reviewer Magazine, September 2009
"Once they’re ‘on’, this band has enough energy to light up a sizeable suburb. Lots of jumping all over the place. Hell, I get tired just watching them… They sounded great, they played great, the setlist choices were great. In other words, a typical Shake-Ups show. Warning: The Shake-Ups have a tradition of tossing snacks into the crowd at every show. Editor's advice: Come hungry, and wear a helmet and kneepads. If you missed it, then you're a loser. No worries, though; just catch the next show. And, don't forget your helmet." (Live Review, The Monkey's Tale) - Bud Stratford, The Solitary Life Of, May, 2010
"The Shake-Ups got their start in San Diego before moving to Indianapolis, and have released four CDs along the way. Their latest, Warm Fuzzies, is full of delicate, well crafted pop tunes written by vocalist-guitarist Patrick O’Connor. The band was more energetic live, with O’Connor sharing lead singing duties with keyboard player-vocalist Bitsy Matatall on new songs like "Prom Night Disaster," as well as older stuff like "Can’t Stop The Signal" and "Forget The Future." (Live Review, International Pop Overthrow) - Terry Flamm, Broken Hearted Toy, April, 2010
"The Shake Ups thrilled the attentive crowd, shaking the place up with a great set, and exhibiting a professional stage presence. They rocked the house with an extended-play version of their "Monster of the Week"/"Seismic Waves" finale, which garnered a standing ovation from everyone present, including the bar help... A fun band with a fresh indie-pop sound everyone is shouting about." (Live Review, The Soda Bar) - PT Rothschild, Full Value Review, January 2009
"When The Shake Ups took the stage... the music sounded full and powerful. The keyboards emphasized the songs' melodies, adding even more pop appeal to what already sounded like a popish cross between Weezer and the Pixies." (Live Review, The Secret Location) - Peter Surowski, The Valley News, August 2008
"You may not get into Breathing the Flood at first listen, but chances are that in the hours and days that follow, the memory of it will stick in your mind, until you realize that you just cannot get this or that tune out of your head... The Shake Ups have a keen sense of melody and they know how to stick barbed hooks into their music that stay in you long after the disc is over... A shimmering escapist set of melodies." (Breathing the Flood CD Review) - Kent's Music and Opinions Blog, December 2009
"I really dig The Shake Ups' sound. A nice mix of poppy-sounding tunes, like the Cars and B-52s. And they even covered a Nick Lowe song, that was cool." (Live Review, The House of Blues) - Josh Board, The San Diego Reader, January 2009
"Last Everlasting is the most diverse thing The Shake Ups have ever recorded. The songs' styles vary more than on previous recordings, and new elements are emerging in the music... One track, "Forget the Future," will appear on the International Pop Overthrow compilation album being released by Not Lame Records." (Last Everlasting CD Review) - The Village News, June 2009
TRIVIA
Kathie and Patrick started playing in bands together in the summer of 1995. Their other projects together have included
In Stitches (1995-1999), Special Guest (1996), Film At Eleven (2002-2003), and Mr. Muggles (2008-2009).
Patrick is a cousin of legendary Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley.
In her free time, Bitsy enjoys making balloon animals and painting on walls.
Mike met Patrick in early 2005 when The Shake Ups were first forming. At the time, Mike wanted to play guitar and The Shake Ups needed a bass player. Sometime later, the two met again and Mike joined the band as bassist.
When she isn't drumming for The Shake Ups, Kathie is a practitioner of the ancient art of Reiki, a Japanese technique
that taps into life force energy to promote stress reduction and healing.
Aside from his numerous band projects such as The Madeira and Destination: Earth!, Patrick also finds time to record and perform as punk rock ukulelist P.J. Otaku. He has released three albums under the name as well as a best-of compilation, and had an internet hit in 2007 for his uke-riffic song "Joss Whedon (Is My Master Now)."
Prior to joining The Shake Ups, Bitsy sang for alternative rock group Bristis, and has more recently been working on an acoustic mix of covers and originals she plans to debut later this year.
Kathie and Patrick have worked extensively in the Indianapolis all-ages music scene, owning and managing the Music Box Cafe, the Volcano Room, and Bubba's Bowling Club.
Mike once sat next to a drunken Kim Deal (The Breeders) and Robert Pollard (Guided By Voices) at a show in Dayton.
Patrick met "Can't Stop the Signal" video director Steve Meyer in 1999 when Meyer asked him for permission to use one of his songs in an independent film satirizing the Blair Witch Project, entitled the Bunk Witch Project.
DISCOGRAPHY
Title: Ringing Endorsement
Format: CD (EP)
Released: May, 2005 (Gelatinous Productions/QuasiDad Recording Company)
Title: A Twist Of Lemon
Format: CD (full-length)
Released: April, 2006 (Gelatinous Productions/QuasiDad Recording Company)
Title: Live! At A Shake Ups Party!
Format: CD (free promo EP)
Released: October, 2007 (Gelatinous Productions)
Title: Breathing The Flood
Format: CD (full-length)
Released: September, 2008 (Gelatinous Productions)
Title: Staring At The Sun Volume 7
Format: CD (various artists compilation)
Released: January, 2009 (Blindspot Records)
Title: Last Everlasting
Format: CD (EP)
Released: July, 2009 (Gelatinous Productions)
Title: International Pop Overthrow Volume 12
Format: CD (various artists compilation)
Released: August, 2009 (Not Lame Records)
Title: Warm Fuzzies
Format: CD (full-length)
Release Date: May, 2010 (Gelatinous Productions)