Shortly after seeing all my favorite Earache bands get snapped up by Columbia/Sony in the mid-’90s…the almost improbable news of Shift’s signing had me genuinely boggled.
I got into Shift via their early ‘Pathos‘ ep on the evr label; which was an appropriately humble effort from a very young band which clearly understood that Quicksand and Into Another were the reigning legends of that era. Shift’s followup indie full length ‘Spacesuit’ was a genre classic in my opinion – it had memorable riffs, the unique timbre of Joshua Loucka‘s voice, and an overall tone that could easily be used as a reference point for everything that had been pioneered with post-hardcore up to that point.
When the supporting tour made its rounds to The Shelter in Detroit, I’d already thoroughly listened to this EP and an advance of their major label debut ‘Get In’. I have to confess that I was that cross-armed guy in the audience who called out “I’ve got it already!” when Joshua announced the upcoming “big” release…
“How do you like it?” he asked.
“It’s alright,” I said with a shrug.
I really, honestly would have loved to have heard more from them following that tour. Samantha Maloney went on to play drums in Mötley Crüe for a spell. And.. years later, Joshua Loucka turned up in Big Collapse, providing more of his signature greatness for another generation of listeners.
I may just happen to be one of Shift’s most dedicated and critical fans: I’m also the proud owner of this 10″ white vinyl pressing of these non-album tracks from the later illustrious career of these NYC giants.
Get In and Listen!
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Hmmm…i don’t seem to recall my personal music advisor ever mentioning this band. . .or producing the much-ballyhooed (tri-?)color catalog that was promised some 15 years ago. It’ a good thing nobody else could possibly fill his shoes, otherwise i’d have fired him ages ago.
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