The Shimmies

Over the last two years, brothers Sean, Jimmy, and Steven Galloway, alongside good friend Jack Gingerich - otherwise known as The Shimmies - have established themselves as one of the most popular and dynamic musical acts in their homebase of Chico, CA. While many bands find a particular niche where they fit in the music scene, The Shimmies appeal to the fans of varying musical genres.  As of late, the band maintains a schedule of persistent live performances in support of their debut record, The Frogtown LP, and in preparation for a series of short tours early this summer. 

Fans of the band can thank local college Chico State’s annual Ethos Music Camp (of which Sean and Jimmy remain actively involved) for the band’s birth.  It was at this camp that they met drummer Jack Gingerich and first began to flesh out the songs that would become their debut record, The Frogtown LP.

As you read this article, The Shimmies have already began their musical travels.  “It’s just going to be kind of like two little short tours,” explained Sean Galloway. “We’re going up through Portland, Olympia, and Seattle towards the end of May. Then we’ll come home for a week, play Chico the 29th, take off and go south to Oakland and Monterey.” Upon returning from tour the guys plan to focus on writing more material in the interests of keeping things fresh for their hopefully growing audiences, and to keep up with the bands in and around Chico.

"The music scene in Chico is incredible right now," mused Sean. "It has the potential to become the next Seattle. Every genre has at least a couple great bands. Bands I would go see even if they weren’t my friends.”

“I’m continually impressed [with Chico bands],” added Jimmy.  “I don’t pretend to be an expert on everything [in the music scene] but definitely playing in a band these last two years has totally opened my eyes.  I go to way more shows now than I ever did before.”   

“And it’s across the board too,” Sean said. “Like, you could go see a folk show and it’s incredible.”

Although The Shimmies were introduced to the music scene by performing alongside local experimental acts such as Bear Hunter and The Americas, the band has recently progressed to winning over the hearts of the thriving local folk music community as well.  It’s not uncommon to find the brothers fine tuning their vocal harmonies around camp fires (well, probably a lot more uncommon during this season) or at friendly backyard gatherings around town.

“Those two scenes are pretty separate, it’s weird,” said Jimmy.  “And I’m down with both, you know, and they’re both amazing.  That whole music scene… they all know each other just like we all know each other and it’s very educational for me to be playing with both.  I’m always learning when I watch Bear Hunter or other great bands and then when I go to Karisha’s [local folk singer and cousin to the Galloway brothers] shows it’s like the clarity is a little bit more raw with acoustic guitars without effects.  It’s just voices harmonizing.  I want to play more acoustic shows because I miss doing that.”



The diligence of the musicians within both music scenes has paid off in new friendships, a substantial fan base, and, in the case of The Shimmies, a tasty reader’s choice award for best indie/experimental band at this year’s CAMMIES, the Chico version of the Grammys. Its a pretty good start, and who knows, maybe a Grammy's next?

 

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