Shiftless Layabout "funks up" the Horseshoe Saloon

The Shiftless sound is a blend of rock and funk, grit and polish. They bring a fresh perspective to the old-school: combining wah-wah funk and ass-tingling brass with a crunchy dose of southern rock. Their influences include: Average White Band, Tower Of Power, Chicago, Blood Sweat and Tears, Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, The Allman Brothers, Frank Sinatra, Mofro, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Lynard Skynard and a fistful of 70's kung-fu. 

Shiftless Layabout was founded in Seattle in the summer of 2002. It began with TK (one-time Revolutionary Hydra) writing songs with his buddy Mike in a one-room University District apartment under the working title of SOULIO. Dreams of a full band soon grew to include The 'New England Rhythm' of Matty Good-Times super-solid bass (Emi Meyer, The Red Note, RB Reed) and Tommy's blues-soaked guitar (BlacVelvett, Sly Lothario). Further fueling the fire is the 'lunchbox' flavor - brassy saxophone and angelic back-up vocals - and the phat trombone sounds and soulful vocals of Heidi 'chico' Wiischler (Jonny Sonic, Red Note). Finishing the job, keepin' it real, keepin' it steady, the punishing percussion of Steve Baz pushes the band in all the right directions (Bakelite 88, Golden Robot Army, Purty Mouth).
Instrumentation

Steve 'Baz' Baz - Drums, rehearsal space 
Matty 'Good-Times' Wexler - Bass, Attitude 
'Wicked' Tommy Miller - Guitar 
Heidi 'Chico' Wischler - Vocals, Trombone 
Brandon 'Lunchbox' Keller - Tenor Sax, b/u vocals 
Tim 'TK' Kelly - Vocals, Trumpet
Discography

"Layin' It Down Eight Days A Week" (June 2009) - A dynamic new soul experience from self-made Seattle funk band, Shiftless Layabout. On this release, the band deftly combines elements of vintage 1970's funk (brassy, close miked horns and driving rhythms) with the crunch and swagger of southern rock and the lo-fi grit of an old-school Hong Kong action film soundtrack. The self-produced album was recorded over a few weekends in a junior high band room just outside of Seattle. It was mixed by lead singer, TK (and his four year-old son), over the course of almost two years. The album was mastered by the uber-awesome Barry Corliss at Masterworks, Seattle (Modest Mouse, Carrie Akre, Blue Scholars, Common Market). 

Their eponymous EP (2006) was recorded at Mirrorsound Studios in Shoreline, WA, and was mastered by Barry Corliss at Master Works, Seattle. It is currently available on-line through CDbaby.com and iTunes. 

Shiftless Layabout was also featured on "Drink To Bones That Turn To Dust: A Toast To Oingo Boingo," (Oct 2006 - Dep't Of Records) along with Brett Dennen, Scott Fischer, Intervision, the Cheats and more. 

LAYIN' IT DOWN 8 DAYS A WEEK - June 9th, 2009! Get it!