The Viper Room: The Mulhollands/The Shakers with Paul Chesne Band and Pacific Radio

Sometimes a magical moment happens. That happened this past Friday night when The Mulhollands and The Shakers joined forces at The Viper Room. The Mulhollands broke up sometime in 2011/2012, but still ranks as one of my two favorite Los Angeles based bands of all time. I first saw them -- I believe -- in 2006 at El Cid during Sunset Junction. It was an early afternoon. Hot (August). Maybe just 5 people watching their set. Sarah Jeanette, the lead singer, ended the set by turning to face the drummer and leaping into his arms. I was like, "So awesome." That sold me and I followed the band consistently until the end.

As mentioned, the band broke up sometime in 2011/2012. I don't believe they ever put on a farewell show. They just sort of ended things. Part of the band moved on to a short-lived project called Birds of a Black Feather. Well, flash forward to 2020, and we finally had an reunion show that I'd say helped many of their fans celebrate a final hurrah. The Viper Room was packed with familiar faces. Two of the original members of the band Sarah Jeanette and Jeff Mizushima were on stage. Long time members Matt Fuller and Rich Berardi were there, as well. And an original member was there in spirit, Jeremy James, who passed away in 2018.

I was a little worried about how the long lay-off would impact the performance. I had nothing to fear. The set started off with laughter as Sarah Jeanette busting her tambourine on first use. And from there, my long history with the band just flooded back. As the set was heading towards an end, I started to get misty eyed as I listened to the crowd singing back the lyrics. Eight years or so and everyone still remembered the beautiful pop-rock sounds that this band brought to the music scene.

The Mulhollands

As for The Shakers, that band largely ended in 2015 when Jodie left lead singer duties as she and her new family moved out of the state. The band continued on briefly after she left, but I think everyone can involved can honestly say it wasn't the same. Jodie was actually in my other favorite band of all time, Automatic Music Explosion. The Mulhollands and Automatic Music Explosion were close friends and would often play sets together. When AME broke up, Jodie started up with The Shakers.

When the curtains of The Viper Room opened up, Jodie had the largest smile with hands pressed together. There was this sense of anticipated from the audience as The Shakers were one of those bands like Barb Wired Dolls that ruled the scene for a number of years. They didn't disappointed, putting together a twelve song set that rocked the asphalt of Sunset Blvd. When the band hit their final song, "Villains," out of the park, the crowd clapped along with the beats as if they just didn't want the walk down memory lane to end.

The Shakers

Paul Chesne Band and Pacific Radio opened and closed the night. Paul Chesne brought some folk-country tunes. Pacific Radio closed the night with some caustic rock that brought the ladies to the front.

Paul Chesne Band

Pacific Radio