Shaker and the Egg

Shaker and the Egg Band Review IQ's Food, Music, and Art in Green Bay, WI

By TJ
July 8, 2010
I'm never really sure what to expect when I go out to check out a new band. I first start analyzing the band name to see if that leads to any hints of sound possibilities. For the most part it never does and that would be the same case for the new band on the scene "Shaker and the Egg." Now I'm familiar with a few members of this band and some of their musical ventures. To start off the all star list of talent that this band contains I will start with a well known local legend Tony Warpinski, a guitarist with endless and enviable skill, who was once the guitarist for the late local progressive rock band The Sandwich Factory. Then you have Pat Schorr, a household name at the IQs open mic and a singer/songwriter that continues to do an occasional acoustic show with Augie from the Muddy Udders. Pat had just recently moved on from the band Snook, a very promising roots rock reggae band from the Fox Valley, to place all his chips in the Shaker and the Egg. Then there is Corey Vande Velden a drummer that also plays in the band "Remember the Day," a hardcore metal band.

So I had absolutely no idea what to expect from this band and Pat's description of Shaker and the Egg when he first let me in the know was even more confusing. But nevertheless he invited me to come check them out and I couldn't refuse my curiosity. Right out of the box when Shaker and the Egg hit the stage they let me know what they were all about with just a few bars in swing-time. Shocked is not the word, this group of diverse musicians are putting down some good swinging tunes and blending it with some roots. The second Seth Jorgensen took solo on the sax the sound was completed. Shaker and the Egg is a five piece Swing reggae gypsy roots band with a ton of energy and danceable jives. Tony Warpiski has got to be one of the best guitarists in the Midwest, playing on a hollow body electric guitar armed with a bigsby tremolo that has a sweet warm overdriven tone. Tony is an expert on thinking on his feet. His guitar solos and rhythm progression seem as if they are unrehearsed and flow naturally, well enough to make even the more accomplished guitarists inspired. He wanders freely on the fret board and wrangles the wammy bar with such sensitivity. Pat's vocals and rhythm guitar are crystal clear and authentic, but break it down to some roots rock reggae and that into a spell of Rastafarian dub. Cory's drums are extremely accurate to whatever genre the band is playing at any moment. Cory makes time signatures that are not so common these days look effortless while the songs twist through swing, gypsy, and reggae. He shows good restraint and great communication with the other players. Pat Norman on bass does an excellent job of minding the rhythms, neither going overboard or under, just a great mix. So now when I go to see Shaker and the Egg I know what to expect and Shaker and the Egg did not disappoint.

The night went on with Shaker and the Egg playing mostly original tunes and a few renditions from bands like Squirrel Nut Zippers and Andrew Bird. It might be a little while for people to catch on as they wind their way through the sound that would be best suited for the Bermuda triangle. I am definitely on the lookout for the next Shaker and the Egg material. You can see their facebook web page here.

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