Songwriter Steven Appleton on the themes of “Shake” and how it came about:
“It’s about the awkwardness of new love, and the charade of pretending to ignore the truth of what it’s really all about.. ‘shaking’. Starting with the bass line and inspired by the basics of music and the holy key of C, it’s very musically ‘highschool’ correct, there’s a bit of inspiration from Irish band Girls Names too. I felt I needed to create an anti-pop – pop song, that could align itself with the rest of the album”
Based in Ipswich (Australia), the band’s name pays tribute to the soviet-era method of smuggling in and distributing forbidden music cut into actual medical X-Ray film, to be covertly played via gramophone. Although their naming origins can be traced back to the 1950s, Soviet X-Ray Record Club draw on musical influences much closer to the present day, citing The Raveonettes, The Horrors, and A Place To Bury Strangers as artists they draw upon. Comparisons have been drawn to The Vaccines, Joy Division, and on previous single “Good Things [I Only Think Of]”, a gothic-flavoured INXS.
Just like “Shake”, the band’s forthcoming debut album was entirely self-recorded and produced, with mastering duties taken care of by Nashville’s Jim DeMain. “Shake” will be made available as a free download from the band’s website on March 30. Tour dates and album release details to be revealed very soon.
