Sometimes all it takes is a clever name before—flash, the cartoon lightbulb fires—and a band is willed into existence, as if fully formed. Such is the case with Richmond’s the Shangri-Lords, our area’s preeminent tribute act to the golden era of American girl groups. Not unlike many a fit-of-inspiration before it, this germ of an idea that would go on to form the band all started at a bar. Bassist and backing vocalist Kyle Harris shares the point of origin with singer Michael Harl via text message:
Credit for the idea is 100% Chris Ramming. We would’ve been at Cous Cous [ed.], me drinking whiskey, I’m certain. He told me of the idea of all guys doing girl groups’ songs super rocked up. We talked about doing it as a three-piece … he was busy, maybe even he went on sabbatical to Puerto Rico (who knows, whiskey) so I said, “Is it cool if I take it and run with it?”
Lifted from the Shangri-Las, the early-’60s teenage-hitmakers comprised of two pairs of sisters who first charted with now-iconic songs of the genre you already know (even if you don’t know it) like “Remember (Walking in the Sand)” and “Leader of the Pack”. Their name is synonymous with a sound: close harmonies matched with sweeping orchestral production, and a certain feeling: the simultaneous and somehow not-at-odds evocation of romanticized nostalgia and wise-beyond-their-years rebellion. And yes, fashion too—a matching wardrobe and pop hairdos were requisite. The Shangri-Las had all the elements of an enduring band: love, family and a look.
What follows in our story is a decade of spirited performances from the Shangri-Lords, who abandoned the all-male three-piece conceit from the get-go in favor of a bigger, mixed-gender band complete with backing singers and Harl in the role of lead singer. Rather than play to a more modern punk-rock sendup, the band has always approached the material with reverence. Driven by the loose energy of a garage band, more than a well-mannered—slick, but bloodless—wedding band-for-hire, the act gels around Harl’s impressive vocal range that listeners might not expect from his other, more visceral, musical projects.
In short, Harl has pipes, and the Shangri-Lords’ rave-ups of beloved and lesser-known cuts from the annals of rock’n’roll and R&B history have showcased the talents of all involved in a way other material could risk falling flat. They clearly love this music, and breathe new life into it every time they take the stage. After all, this music belongs on a dance floor, not in a museum or casino.
Alas, the Shangri-Lords’ reign comes to an end on Saturday in Brookland Park. Prior to the band’s final performance, Harl was kind enough to field our questions about the local mainstay. We encourage interested parties to knock the dust off their dancing shoes and seize on this last opportunity to experience the wonderful retro clamor of a band that belts ‘em out like none other in our area code. Detroit has the Detroit Cobras, who we previously covered here, San Bruno, California has the Mummies, and for another week, Richmond will have the Shangri-Lords.
Style Weekly: What’s the Shangri-Lords creation story?
Michael Harl: Our bands, Diamond Center, Canary oh Canary and Hot Dolphin shared a practice space in the basement of the old Garber’s building in the Bottom. So originally it was Kyle Harris on bass and backing vocals, Tim Falen on drums, myself on vocals and Mark Golden (Red Hot Lava Men, The Green Hearts, Country Sunshine and so so many other bands) on guitar. Our first show was Friday, Oct. 25, 2013, at the Camel as part of the WRIR’s 6th annual Halloween Monster Mashquerade. By that first show, we had added keys (Matt Deans of Hot Lava) and a back-up singer (Lindsey Spurrier of Hot Dolphin). There was talk of wearing matching denim suits or something like that, but we decided to all dress in drag. Our intention was to just do the one show and that’s it. But here we are ten-plus years later.
So yeah, Chris Ramming’s idea but he never actually played in the band.
Early on, we all gathered around my dining room table one evening and snacked, listening to songs that Kyle thought would be cool to do. Deep cuts and such, inspired by a box set he had received from Brandi (his wife) years prior called “One Kiss Leads to Another” that Rhino had put out. We still do some of those early selections.
How was the initial response to the Shangri-Lords? What was your M.O. after that first show?
The initial response was great. People love these songs and love singing along and perhaps hearing a bit of a different take on them. After that first show we just kept doing what we do, ya know, kickin’ it out with a fevered energy. Trying to whip folks up and get them dancing and having a good time. We dropped the drag and gussied up a bit and somewhere along the line sparkly jackets and white go-go boats entered the picture.
What’s been the band’s criteria for mining material to perform? When and how did it start to expand beyond the original girl-groups inspo?
Songs must have been performed by girl groups or female solo artists of the ’50s and ’60s. We have stayed true to that idea throughout our time playing together. While that box set was the original inspiration that Kyle brought to the table, we have all brought in song ideas that we may be stoked on and think might be fun to do. We each have our individual flavor for picking tunes. I tend to lean more to the original idea of deeper cuts and less known girl groups with more of a garage flair. I like the darker, grittier songs. Others, on the other hand, tend more to the classics or hits of the early Motown or Phil Spector catalogue. It’s a balance of both.
We’ve had a few ideas come forth that were a bit beyond the scope of the OG idea that we didn’t pursue because they didn’t fall with the rules or criteria. We have only made one exception. That is the Mariah Carey Christmas song that we have done. But that is it! I am pretty adamant to follow the rules. As much as I may dig a song, if it doesn’t meet the specifications … can’t do it. There are enough little gems out there that are less familiar. I love the idea of turning someone who comes to our shows onto something else from that era that maybe didn’t spend as much, or any, time saturating the radio waves for years and years.
What ranks among your personal highlights from the band’s decade-long run?
We have played some great shows with some fun bands. Opening for the Detroit Cobras was pretty cool. Seeing folks young and old throw a leg out, bust a move and dance their hearts out is great. Looking out and seeing a couple of folks making out during our Valentine show at Fuzzy Cactus was pretty special. I was so touched they made a connection during our performance. But honestly, the highlight for me in this whole experience is getting to play with such great musicians [and] friends. Getting together on a semi-weekly basis in Doyle’s basement to learn these songs together has been truly rewarding. I think I may miss that the most. The weekly hang time hashing it out. Our time at Garbers with the original lineup was pretty special, too. Sometimes I wonder how I got so fortunate to be able to do this with all these amazing folks.
An aside… Doyle Hull (Red Hot Lava Men, The Green Hearts and so so many more bands) joined the group in 2017, after Kyle moved away. He brought along his long time musical friend Brian Collins on drums. John Gotzchalk replaced Matt on keys shortly after our first show and Janet Lundy came on as an additional back-up singer mid 2014. Doyle, Mark, John and Brian are long time musical partners (25-plus years) so things move pretty fast with them. They can pick up a song or two in one session. It’s astonishing.
How long has the current lineup been playing together?
The current lineup has been playing together since early 2017. I texted Doyle on this to confirm and this is what he sent:
Our first gig with y’all was July 28, 2017, at Hardywood. We’ve done 23 more since then.If I recall correctly, the idea for bringing me (Doyle) and Brian into the fold developed after the Lava Men did a couple of gigs (in March and April 2017) with Michael and then Lindsey guesting on vocals. Since being a Shangri-Lord had been my lifelong dream, I was quite happy ’bout that.
So yeah, there you go. Kyle had moved away, Tim left the band after Hot Dolphin broke up in 2015 and Garbers shut down, so we took a couple of years off and Lindsey suggested bringing Doyle in to get things going again. Doyle suggested bringing Brian aboard and here we are.
Was Garbers practice space significant to the band’s development?
Maybe in that, because three of the four of us shared the space we were familiar with each other’s abilities, comfortable in the space and with each other we could relax and have some fun. Full disclosure: I was not all that familiar with the genre besides what I had heard on the oldies stations again and again over the years prior. It was a total learning experience for me. Kyle, Tim and Mark were the perfect ones to show me what’s up. No egos, just total excitement for the music and a willingness to share.
Would you touch on the role that bygone [practice] space played and what it meant to you?
Garbers itself was a pretty remarkable place to practice. Our space alone housed Diamond Center, Hot Dolphin, Peace Beast, Canary oh Canary, Splork!!! and any other side projects of the respective bands … and then also the Shangri-Lords. So much music came out of that building. We could hear through the walls what other bands were working on. We would run into other bands out in the parking lot while taking breaks and had a chance to make connections and form friendships in the scene and pass on info about shows, gear, venues, who’s recording where … nerd out, really. ‘Twas a sad day when we got the news that Mr. Garber had sold the building and we all had to get out. Condos now.
What are the circumstances surrounding your final show?
Getting seven busy people together on a weekly basis can be challenging especially when most of those people are in other bands, have elderly parents to take care of, work evening shifts, do radio shows, all on top of just trying to maintain relationships and spend time with family. It became difficult to schedule regular practices for one reason or another. That lack of momentum wears thin after a while and waning enthusiasm creeps in. It became apparent that perhaps this project had run its course. This show was on the books so we decided to make it our last. We are all still friends.
After the Shangri-Lords dance floor clears, what other projects from band members (be they music or other creative pursuits) can Richmond look forward to?
Well, let’s see … Mark, John, Doyle and Brian aka the Red Hot Lava Men have a couple of shows coming up later this year. Highly recommend checking them out if you’re into pure surf played with precision and ferocity. Mark, Doyle and Brian also have the Green Hearts who play from time to time. Mark and John have a new project called Fuzzy Prophet that just recently had its debut show. Keep an eye out for them. Brian is in a couple of other cover bands one of which does all Neil Diamond tunes called Diamond Heist. Great name! Mark is also in the Poison Ivy League that plays out regularly. Janet has a weekly radio show on WRIR every Thursday morning, “Thursday Morning Breakfast Blend with DJ Galaxy Girl.” Lindsey sits in with Prabir from time to time lending her vocal prowess to a few tunes. And I have two other bands, Future Mantis and Ett Eko. Future Mantis has been working on an EP that will hopefully drop in the next few weeks. I also have a weekly radio show on WRIR every Wednesday 5 to 7 p.m. called “The Lotus Land Show.”
The Shangri-Lords hold court one last time this Saturday, Aug. 24 at Fuzzy Cactus. They’ll be joined by the local instrumental surf act, Rumble Trio. Doors are at 8:30 p.m. Tickets cost $12 and admission is 21 and up.
