1 minute read
Music: Shannon's Walk
SHANNON'S WALK
New Evansville band channels the "Seattle sound" on debut EP, preps for upcoming live shows
Advertisement
Local musician Tom Wilder has served as the guitarist for the highlyrespected metal outfit Blood Tribe going on nearly 20 years now. And while he's completely loyal to the band, he still appreciates jamming with other players around town on occasion. So back in mid-2019 when longtime friend - and fellow guitarist - Jake Reisinger brought up the possibility of getting together with a few other guys to run through some less challenging, or more palatable, music (after all, Blood Tribe is relentlessly heavy), Wilder was intrigued. Especially after he heard the vocal chops of Jeff Jones. The former Tampa-based singer moved back to the Midwest a few years ago and became friendly with co-worker Sam Whitaker, a kickass drummer with ties to Wilder and Reisinger (the three played in 1369 preBlood Tribe). Not surprisingly, perhaps, it all clicked right from the start. "We wrote two songs the first night we jammed together," Wilder notes.
Those initial songs pointed towards a 90's rock direction that clearly referenced the "Seattle sound," as Wilder describes it, but with a Scott Stapp vocal vibe. Over time the band would compile a solid catalog of accomplished originals, three of which - "Do You Really?," "I Never" and "Stalker" - were targeted for an EP. In April of last year, Shannon's Walk (christened such as a tribute to Jones' ex-girlfriend who passed away from adrenal cancer) convened with area producer Matt McGuyer to record the trio of songs. However, the double whammy of COVID and "procrastination," Wilder freely admits, set the release back a bit. But it's finally seeing the light of day and you can score a copy online or pick one up at either of the band's upcoming shows featuring new bass player Nick Halbig: 9/4 at The Venue & 10/2 at Backstage Bar & Grill.
