Historics are ready to reveal the swirling and dreamlike “Taverns,” the first single and music video off their forthcoming debut album.

Watch “Taverns” video:

The hypnotic track stems from the combined forces of three veteran musicians and their diverse backgrounds: Don Devore (Ink & Dagger; Icarus Line), Mickey Madden (Maroon 5), and Josh Grubb (VietNam).

The song is a warm and bittersweet trip laced with Grubb’s narcotic, eastern-tinged guitar licks. Madden’s steady bass lines provide a subtle yet cathartic anchor, often maintaining the heart of the song while the other instruments erupt into moments of chaos. Devore speak-sings melancholy lyrics such as “breath that smoke, lose your hope” in a beautifully weathered voice – one that sounds like it belongs to a man who has seen and done it all.

The video, directed by Brendon Devore, features multiple planes of footage draped on top of one another, mirroring the production of the song and it’s layered sonic tapestry.

Golden hues outline the band members, giving them a spectral quality while cityscapes float across the screen. Adding to the surreal atmosphere is ominous interspered footage of a bat flying in slow motion as well as the spooky shots of an owl that bookend the video.

Keep a lookout for Historics’ full-length album in early 2009, with special guests including Kool Keith and other surprises.

Historics MySpace

The Shake has become the latest band to join the impressive roster of clients celebrating an endorsement deal with First Act Guitars. Shake guitarists Jon Merkin and Eliad Shapiro bond with the likes of Adam Levine (Maroon 5), Serj Tankian (System of a Down), and Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) to use First Act Guitars.

First Act, a pioneer in musical products, offers an innovative line of musical instruments for all ages and prides itself on enhancing children’s development, and encouraging a lifelong love of music.

Merkin explains “This is a very encouraging step forward for the band because it shows that people out there believe in our music and that they want to support us in making it. Many great guitarists use these guitars, and I’m honored to be part of this family.”

Shapiro echoes his sentiments: “First Act makes beautiful custom guitars used by great groups, such as the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Franz Ferdinand, Cheap Trick, the Cure, and so many others. It’s really great to know that we’ve been accepted into the same ranks.”

The Shake will play the initial concert with their new First Act guitars on August 29th 2007 in New York City. The band has been asked by Columbia University to headline their year-opening celebration. The concert, a groundbreaking event for the band, will find them playing for over 1,000 people in the Registry Room of historic landmark Ellis Island. “It’s a really meaningful place for us to play,” says Merkin “We’ve all got family that came to America, passing through the same Hall that we will be performing in. It’s a special opportunity.”

Shapiro concurs, “It’s almost like the Lower East Side circa the early 20th century takes over Ellis Island. Never in a million years could our grandparents have envisioned that their grandchildren would be in a rock band playing in front of thousands of people in that hall. Funny how things can come full circle like that.”

Fans can also find The Shake in record stores and on iTunes, as their track “Let Me Take You Far Away” is included on the Bulletproof Records soundtrack License to Wed from the recent film of the same name starring Robin Williams and Mandy Moore. The CD also features music from The Beach Boys, The Righteous Brothers and Al Green.

The Shake was recently featured on Breakthru Online Radio where they performed a full set live in the Breakthru studio. The performance is available for streaming in www.breakthruradio.com’s archive under DJ Jeff K.

The Shake Official Website
The Shake on Myspace