BAND BIOGRAPHY


Table of Contents

The Flatfoot Shakers originally formed around April '97 but soon shuffled the lineup before recording their self titled debut album in September 1999 on Preston records in Melbourne. The album was released on both CD and 10” vinyl format (titled Chicka Boom).
The Flatfoot Shakers have played and toured extensively across Australia at festivals in Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and the big one "Wintersun" in Queensland. In July/August 2000 the Shakers toured across Europe playing festivals in Sweden, Belguim, Germany, Switzerland and the Cruise Inn in Holland.
Other highlights include the Rockabilly Rave in England (March 2001) and "Viva Las Vegas” in Las Vegas Nevada (April 2001 and again in 2005).
Their influences stretch across a wide variety of roots music including Country, Western Swing, 50’s Rock’n’Roll and most of all that classic 50’s Rockabilly sound.



KIERON McDONALD

Vocals & Rhythm Guitar


Kieron lived abroad in Europe from '91 to '95 where he was able to soak up influences (and some fine German beer) from the European Rockabilly scene. Upon returning to his homeland in Australia in '96 he started laying down the foundations for the Flatfoot Shakers by building up an initial set of obscure and classic '50s Rockabilly/Rock'n'Roll. Kieron spent many a night as a young nipper listening to his Dads old Country records which led to other discoveries such as Rockabilly and Rhythm and Blues. Artists of influence include Johnny Horton, early Elvis and that great Sun Rockabilly sound.
Kieron is the singer/song writer for the band and loves sitting back with a glass of bourbon on the weekend listening to his old records...

Kieron recently played the High Rockabilly festival in Spain (Sep '05) supported by Spains fantastic trio "The Nu Niles" during a recent visit to Europe. At that time he was invited to record a solo album for Rhythm Bomb Records in Germany with local house band "The Capers".



JAMIE VANCAM

Drums


Jamie (Speedy) Vancam joined the Flatfoot Shakers in January '98 and immediately fitted in, his experience in swing and rock’n’roll combo’s blended in perfectly with the Flatfoot Shakers style of Rockabilly. Although not originally into the Rockabilly scene (still has problems with his hair) he quickly adapted to this new sound. He has played with various Melbourne bands such as the “Turnarounds” and “Dr. Swings Big Band” and when Jamie’s not performing with the Shakers he can be seen sitting in with various pit orchestras around town playin' the skins and throwing paper airoplanes.




PETE BAYLOR

Lead Guitar & Vocals


Pete has been on the scene since time began and has plucked with the best of them both here and overseas. He has been a mainstay of the Australian Roots music scene for over twenty years and is well in demand for his electric guitar style.
He has been in numerous combo’s including Starliners, Stringbusters, Dancehall Racketeers and the Baylor Brothers to name a few. He has also backed up the likes of Ronnie Dawson and Dale Watson and has appeared in musicals such as “The Buddy Holly Show” and as Scotty Moore in the Sydney production of “Elvis The Musical”. Pete joined the band around June 2000 adding his influence to the sound of the Flatfoot Shakers. His technique of playing covers a diverse range of obscure '50s styles from Rockabilly/Country to Western Swing and Jazz.




ANDY SCOTT

Doghouse Bass & Backing Vocals


Andy joined us soon after the seconds album was laid down and has been playin’ and touring with us ever since. His background is in the country and bluegrass side of roots music but has slotted in nicely with the sounds of the Flatfoot Shakers. He has played with a variety of Melbourne roots bands including the Stringbusters, Cajun Aces, Headbelly Buzzards and the Snakeoil Bluegrass band to name a few.





HIGHLIGHTS:
VIVA LAS VEGAS Rockabilly Weekend, April 2005 and 2001, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A
ROCKABILLY RAVE, March 2001, Camber Sands, England
EUROPEAN TOUR JULY 2000, 5 week tour of Germany, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Norway and Sweden.
TAIL STUDIOS July 2000, 3 day Recording Session at the famed Tail studios, Jonkoping, Sweden
Wintersun Rock’n’Roll Festival, June 1998, 2000 & 2001, Coolangatta Queensland
Central N.S.W tour, Red Hot & Hep Rockabilly Jamboree Sep '99
Queensland/North N.S.W tour, March '99
Bunyip Country Music Festival, Closing act, Bunyip, February '99
Big Beat '98, Rockabilly Music Festival, Corner Hotel, Richmond, October '98
Rockabilly Riot, Continental Hotel, Prahan, September '98, with 'The Redliners' and 'The Detonators'
Channel 31 TV program "50's into the 90's" ( 2 songs ), performance from the March '98 Rockabilly dance in Caulfield