SHATNER is a band from Leeds, UK currently in space dock for repairs.
Shatner were formed in 2003 when Jim Bower plus brother Rick, keyboardist Chris Minz and drummer Dick Sharp re-emerged from stasis for one last shot at immortality, and to fully explore the whole midlife crisis thing with no plan, except to make great music which they liked, and not give a toss about having musical careers.
Their first album "Energise" was mainly recorded in a bedroom but gained enough critical acclaim for the band to start thinking they were actually being taken seriously.
This confidence led to ambitious plans for an expensive second album, and from - ooh around 2006 - ish - they were joined by Sarah Niven and Planet Claire on backing vocals, and with occasional interventions by Rob Chapman on Trombone and Tash Koczy on Sax, the epic second album "Thirteen O'Clock" took shape, with the luminary Will Jackson on board as producer.
As before, all the reviews were exceptional and CDs were touted, gigs were gigged, fun was had and from 2006-8 Shatner could be seen doing the band thing, mainly in the Leeds area.
Since February 2009 the band has been inactive, due to many pressures of one kind or another, but like ye Knights of Olde, Shatner are but sleeping. When they are needed again, they shall rise once more.
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REVIEWS OF THE NEW ALBUM "THIRTEEN O'CLOCK"
"Insanely catchy, densely packed, seamless pop perfection.and of the 13 songs not one misses by more than a whisker.
At every level and in every department it's a classic." - Whisperin and Hollerin
“A spirited, effervescent and truly
enticing piece of work.genius.” contactmusic.com
“Blackly humorous, witty, catchy, genuinely inventive, and cleverer than the kaiser chiefs.” Tasty fanzine
"Whether you’ve experienced Shatner before or not, I recommend you check out their finest hour. It will definitely strike a chord." thebeatsurrender.co.uk
"Hovers perilously over the unfashionable and dabbles with the pretentious but manages to maintain a toe-hold on healthy power pop." Sandman magazine
"Stonkingly good, should stride the Earth with utter confidence." subba-cultcha.com
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Reviews of the single 'Anticlockwise/ It's Time' Dec 06
"Encapsulating all the positives of Britpop, 'Anticlockwise' is a memorable tune.they can be the most indie band ever and still sound original; like a chef mixing up the same old ingredients to create a brand new disha solid eight, no mistakes. It'll be interesting to see what Shatner do next. Fun fun fun.
leedsmusicscene.net
"Shatner are ace. People are entitled to disagree, as long as they realise that they are wrong. This single proves conclusively that there is still plenty of mileage in the classic catchy pop hook when handled by a professional, both with the B-side (the funky-in-a-good-way It’s Time) and the single itself which aside from being an infectious, fun, intelligent and classy song in it’s own right, also has its own dance."
sandman magazine
"a very well written indie-pop song that recalls the Wedding Present’s cheerier moments, but with daft surf-rock riffs and a somewhat more deadpan lyrical delivery."
The Leeds Guide
".unadulterated pop fun with a an old school rock n roll guitar hook and bass line there is always room for a bit of Shatner in your life and I defy you not to be bopping around after two or three listens of this track.
Tasty Fanzine
"From its opening notes this is an infectious pop anthem. Shatner don’t want to be cool for the sake of being cool, they’re never going to care about the music press and the do’s and don’ts of how to be media darlings, they’re more interested in making music that people like - and people should like this."
The Music Guru
Reviews of the album "Energise"
Four thirtysomethings who really ought to know better have managed to craft a near-perfect pop gem. Energise stands out as one of the most uplifting, not to mention unexpected, musical achievements of 2005 leedsmusicscene.net
Energise isn't burdened with any deadwood to speak of. It's a likeable listen from front to back with precious little need of the skip button. If the idea of undersung thirtysomethings making relevant guitar pop sounds highly illogical, then hear Energise first. It's illogically good.
whisperinandhollerin.com
"There's a real human and honest feel to this whole album, something that gets under your skin, whether you want it there or not. It's one small step for wry tongue-in-cheekiness, a giant leap for out-and-out good tunes"themusicguru.co.uk
Enterprise-sized hooks, tunes as catchy as the best tractor beam but really, there isn't anything trekky about this album. The key is that Shatner really know their pop music. Most importantly, they don't care what's cool and what isn't - they probably don't even know. That level of detachment means they can make the songs they want. Sci-fi geekery never sounded so good."
Sandman magazine
"This is never going to be considered a cool and/or fashionable album but there are more important things such as melodies and lyrics that actually mean something. Whether you are a Trekker or not, Energise is a record worth checking out."
heathenangel.co.uk
A waft of fresh air
Vanity Project fanzine
Pop that covers a lot of ground - and they can really play
Vibrations fanzine
