Like a tiny circus, Shanghai 5 fuses jazz, rock, and vaudeville to create a unique show. They are quickly becoming known for their sometimes dark, whimsical, and beautiful songs. They often match the performance with wild and fantastic variety shows, including one-man bands, feats of strength, theatrical drama and film. The band plays 20+ original songs, as well as reinvents songs from Billie Holliday, Velvet Underground, Chet Baker, SunRa, The Cars and Kraftwerk.
Shangai 5 has played events ranging from big rock clubs and music festivals to college radio and museums. The band has shared the stage with Cloud Cult, Four Tet and Ralph Nader.
Apple invited them to play Apple Stores nationall, as a result of the band being featured on the iTunes splash page "Alt" section. PBS' Roadtrip Nation selected Shanghai 5 to be a team on the documentary travelogue.
Information from the band's site
-
»Amy Curnow: lead vocals, vocals
-
»Bill Longhorse: guitar
-
»Gregg Prickett: bass
-
»Girard Bendiks: percussion
-
»Earl Darling: percussion
-
»Reid Robinson: computer, keyboards
Velvet Underground, Billie Holiday, Brian Eno, Astrud Gilberto, Martin Denny, Tom Waits, Ennio Morricone, Glen Campbell, Feminine Complex, Redd Kross, Dusty Springfield, Sun Ra, X, Sonic Youth, The Immaculates, The Intelligence Community, Barry Adamson, Monks of Saturnalia, The The, 66, Portishead, Sugarcubes, Tammy Wynette, Edith Piaf, Air, Burt Bacharach, Stanley Kubrick, JFJO, Sarah Vaughn, Buck Owens, Roxy Music, Chet Baker, Tina Turner, Medeski Martin Wood, Nino Rota, Monty Norman, Erykah Badu, Ute Lemper, Danny Elfman, Jill Tracy, Dolly Parton, Frank Zappa, Bee Gees, Cockteau Twins, Shiley Bassey, Django Reinhardt, Stereolab, My Bloody Valentine, Prince, The Stooges, Loretta Lynn, Siouxsie, PJ Harvey, The Doors, Julie London, Nick Cave, The Pretenders, Massive Attack, Pixies, Blondie, Kraftwerk, The Cars, Phil Spector, Trevor Horn, John Peel
DuRand, Matt Tolentino, Rawlins Gilliland, Reid Robinson, Rollini505, Stephanie Lopez, Suza Kanon, courtneyb, divaofthedead, frank, halo101, heeremama, intheflesh2126, izzydroolin, krys, ohare, robstave
SteveAustin, says:
They are frickin dope! I dig em!
Anonymous
3 years, 6 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Rawlins Gilliland, says:
Saw them again a few Saturdays ago and they always deliver. In fact they deliver more than any band I see around.
There is something totally unpredictable about their repertoire. One minute it's an old James Bond anthem. The next minute completely original material that sounds like no one else, delivered like a rare moment in time.
Amy manages to exude both a guileless female ingénue charm while at the same time being effortlessly sexual. She also manages to deliver each song as a star-turn on her own terms, with actress-like chameleon vocals. While the lead guitarist, who also writes much of their material, astonishes with seamless star licks.
Whatever you do, make an appointment to see this rare and accessible buffet of unexpected thrills and chills. Great memories guaranteed. GREAT CD.
Verified
1 year, 8 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Mike Orren, says:
I may be way behind the times, but just found out last night that they've disbanded.
Staff
1 year, 2 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal