Bournemouth based rockers The Electric Shakes have been back in Ed Deegan’s Gizzard Studios recently crafting the followup to their second album Electrohypnosis and it’s emerged in the form of double A-side single Rye And Dry/Trash.

If you’re familiar with The Shakes past output you’ll know, generally, what to expect; a heady mix of the kind of garage rock typified by the likes of the MC5 combined with a strong dose of The Damned-like punk, a dash of blues and a hint of something heavier rumbling away underneath.

A-side number 1, Rye And Dry, doesn’t mess around getting to its point and finds the trio (guitarist Steve, bass player Eric and drummer Basha, with all sharing vocals) in thoughtful form, at least lyrically, as they explore the deleterious effect of addiction.

Of course being who they are they do this with a power groove driven tune emphasising the dirty but poignant outlook and capturing something of the band’s live energy which drives it all home very nicely.

Trash, meanwhile, takes a little longer to fully establish its subject but through it all you can feel it’s fingers gradually creeping into your mind. In some ways this makes its point about the plight of the homeless under the current government all the more forceful when it does hit home.

Once again despite the more serious outlook they still manage to deliver it with a forceful blast of rock ‘n’ roll, this time with a bit of something a little psychedelic mixed in too, making the two tracks perfect companion pieces to each other and again capturing something of the band’s live energy.

Rye And Dry/Trash is another strong entry in The Electric Shake’s discography and, while it shows a hint of why you should catch this band live, it also shows why you shouldn’t discount them on record either, as it marries retro grit with a real rocking power and groove that is irresistible.

Live photos by Grant David Read