Shannon Shaw is likely too humble to accept the title of Queen, but she\u2019s earned it anyway. Between her seemingly endless roster of bands, tours and creative projects, one wonders when the Oakland garage-rock powerhouse actually sleeps. Thankfully for the East Bay, her superpowers don\u2019t appear to require much rest.<\/p>\n
Shaw\u2019s long-established status in the local music scene includes deep ties with Marc Ribak and Amy Carver\u2014co-owners of Thee Stork Club and organizers behind Mosswood Meltdown.<\/p>\n
\u201cI go way back with Marc,\u201d Shaw says. \u201cI used to play with his old band [Rock N Roll Adventure Kids] and even did a tour with them and Hunx and His Punx. I also played shows with Amy\u2019s old band, Larry & the Angriest Generation. I was stoked when they became a couple! They are the ultimate power weirdo couple.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ribak describes Shaw as \u201chands down one of the best, most creative and thoughtful artists to work with.\u201d He adds, \u201cNo one today can sing like her. She\u2019s the voice of rock \u2019n\u2019 roll.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shaw has received further praise from the likes of Bikini Kill\u2019s Kathleen Hanna and Saturday Night Live\u2019s Sarah \u201cSquirm\u201d Sherman. John Waters describes her as his \u201cpersonal angel\u201d and let the Mosswood crowd know a couple of years back that he realized he\u2019d introduced her more times than the mighty Divine.<\/p>\n
Shaw actually recalled her first experience meeting Waters\u2014a.k.a. the Duke of Debris\u2014at a Mosswood Meltdown some years back.<\/p>\n
\u201cI got really anxious,\u201d she says. \u201cI wasn\u2019t emotionally ready or dressed, so I thought I could duck-walk through the crowd and he wouldn\u2019t notice me. I was wrong! John yelled out, \u2018I see you! And I know who you are!\u2019 It was both a flattering and threatening statement.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shortly after, the two had an official meeting. \u201cHe was so sweet; he just treated me like we were old pals,\u201d Shaw says. \u201cI remember he smelled really good and he was just so warm and friendly. It\u2019s incredible to be able to meet your idols and they are wonderful, if not even better than you hoped they\u2019d be.\u201d<\/p>\n
So far this year Shaw has performed with an ensemble of amazing artists to celebrate the late George Harrison\u2019s birthday as well as a couple of back-to-back solo shows, and is now touring with Hunx and His Punx. Why are fans so lucky? Shaw says she has \u201cdeep love and respect\u201d for the East Bay, having moved to Oakland from the North Bay 17 years ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s honestly hard for me to express how instrumental Oakland has been in my creative musical existence, growth and longevity,\u201d Shaw says. \u201cI am forever grateful. It\u2019s where I did so much growing and discovering who I am. It is and will always be part of my idea of home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shaw recently had her biggest audience to date, performing with Shannon and the Clams at Uptown\u2019s Fox Theater in October 2024.<\/p>\n
In whatever capacity she performs, Shaw commands her bass guitar\u2014a silver sparkle Danelectro DC \u201959 bass guitar\u2014the way Thor handles his legendary hammer. Her signature instrument was not something she sought. It was bestowed on her.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a gift when I was 15 from my boyfriend in high school,\u201d Shaw says. \u201cI didn\u2019t even try to play it until I was 25 and needed an escape. It really was a means to an end, and it saved me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seemingly able to play and sing just about anything without compromising her style, Shaw is primarily self-taught\u2014which is surprising considering her versatility and her many musical ventures. Her inspirations are vast. She says she draws her power from everything from \u201cnature, space and art\u201d to her mom listening to the song \u201cThe End of the World\u201d by Skeeter Davis while she cleans the house. Shaw also cites a list of greats, including Roy Orbison, the Beatles, the Kinks, Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams and the Grateful Dead, among others.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy parents had no tolerance for anything modern, which kinda rubbed off on me,\u201d Shaw says. \u201cMy brother Jason turned me on to Nirvana and my brother Dan got me into They Might Be Giants and Butthole Surfers, plus more punky stuff.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat inspires me to make music is coping with life and processing things,\u201d she adds. \u201cI write music when I\u2019m grieving, obviously, and when I feel really good. I hope to make landing pads for people who need an escape, that need hope and need to scream along about whatever needs to be screamed about.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shaw is currently working on a solo album and \u201ca new secret cover band!\u201d Apparently there\u2019s no rest for John Waters\u2019 personal angel. Next up, she returns to Oakland with Hunx and His Punx alongside core bandmates Erin Emslie and Seth Bogart.<\/p>\n