shakinmartinis

Shakin' Martinis

Q & A

Band Info

The Shakin' Martinis are:

Rick Martinez: Bass, acoustic guitar, vocals
Ian Sanchez: Saxophone
Gayle Millage: Vocals
Shantel Keighley: Vocals
Ed "Porkchop" Meyer: Keyboard

Website: www.shakinmartinis.com

CD: Demo for promotional use

Genre: New Orleans R&B/Swing blues

Together: 1 year

Q: Where did the band's name originate?
     A: It was coined by the original drummer in the group, Steve Bailey, and it just stuck. The F&B crowd seems to like the name.

Q: What are your musical influences?
     S: Patsy Cline, Little Feat, Anne Murray, Bonnie Raitt
     I: Eddie Harris, Pocho Sanchez, Johnny Pacheco
     R: Latin jazz, bluegrass, fusion, rock, punk, ska, C&W, zydeco, swing, jump, blues...

Q: What is your favorite food & beverage?
     S: Sushi/water/and an occassional barley pop
     I: Flying fish sandwiches & Carib beer
     R: Hey, pizza and beer!

Q: Who is your favorite historical figure?
     S: Martin Luther King, Jr.
     I: Dr. Henry Woodward
     R: Thomas Jefferson--a philosopher, educator, naturalist, politician, scientist, inventor, architect, pioneer in scientific farming,musician, and he wrote the Declaration of Independence

Q: What is your favorite CD or record?
     S: Little Feat--"Down on the Farm"
     I: The Best of Eddie Harris
     R: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Q: What are your favorite things about the Charleston area?
     S: The ghosts and the history
     I:   History, ocean and estuaries, art, and the people
     R: Living on Folly Beach and knowing Charleston is so close! I like going to the Folly Marina, walking on the beach,and hanging out in downtown Charleston--Rooftop Bar, Waterfront Park, or the art walks.

Q: Who are your favorite local bands and musicians?
     S: John Custasis, Dunzip, Henry Live!, and Michael Brockington
     I: Dunzip, Flywater, Live Oak, aZwethinkweiZ, Pondering, Gradual Lean, Momma and the Misfits, Secrets, Triply Lindy, Southwind...
     R: Dunzip, Johnny Mac, Robert Page, my friends (Ed "Porkchop" Meyer, Jimmy Snyder, Ian Sanchez, Gayle Millage, Shantel Keighley, Chris Gant--Skeeter Brandon & Hwy 61, Scott Banevich--Edwin McCain Band, & Abe White

Q: What is your favorite song to perform?
     S: "Guilty" (Randy Newman, as performed by Bonnie Raitt)
     I: "Freaks in the Woods"
     R: "Moon Dance"

Q: What is your favorite venue to perform at?
     S: Hemingway's in Beaufort and The Hideaway at Folly
     I: The Music Farm
     R: Hemingway's in Beaufort

Q: What is your "guilty pleasure"?
     S: A girl's got to keep some sense of mystery so...no comment!
     I: Kama Sutra
     R: Chocolate--I'm a junkie when it comes to that stuff

Review

Unsure of where to head one night on the town, I followed the funky music and found the Shakin' Martinis. They are shakin and stirred, and will keep your "glass" rattling all night (get it?).

The Shakin' Martinis are really a hidden gem in the Charleston music scene. They are incredibly hard workers, playing often in Charleston and beyond (regular gigs on Sullivan's Island, Folly Beach, and in Beaufort), and they are an all-star cast. Rick Martinez multi-tasks on bass guitar, acoustic guitar, and vocals; Ian Sanchez (who plays around town, often with Flywater) shares his skills on the saxophone; Ed "Porkchop" Meyer, local star in his own right, breaks it down, Stevie-style, on the keyboard; and Gayle Millage and Shantel Keighley dazzle with sultry and powerful vocals.

The Shakin' Martinis play the kind of music that you'd expect with the name--hip, cool, lounge-cat funk. Don't get it? Think Dean Martin...swing dance...60's fun...jazzy jazz...bluesy blues...and funky funk. No matter how it is described, you can dance to it, and that's all you really need to know.

Sometimes they play whole, sometimes as a trio, and sometimes with guests. No matter how they come, the Shakin' Martinis are a tasty dish. Regardless of what members are playing when, and how many of them are there, their sound and quality is consistent. All musicians are very experienced on their instruments and provide a great backdrop for a night of dancing and easygoing fun. Both Gayle and Shantel have beautiful, rich voices,and can belt it out loud and deep, or smooth and soft, depending on the song. Even though they play regular gigs at places around town (including the Rooftop at Vendue Inn and the Blind Tiger), the Shakin' Martinis deserve a lot of notice for their gumption and talent.

Rick Martinez maintains a snazzy website for the group and maintains a lot of enthusiasm to boot. The Shakin Martinis play often (posted on the website) at many different venues. You might just do what I did--hear them, wonder who they are, and wander in. I'm glad that I did.