The Shots are like a 100-proof snort of Scottish and/or Australian instrumentation, with a classic-rock chaser.
The band has been playing since the '90s, but had a critical reinvention in 2001. After a dramatic turnover of band members, multi-instrumentalist Lenny Reinhardt decided to keep the band alive by channeling disparate and exotic sounds from the corners of the globe.
"By adding instruments like the bagpipes and didgeridoo we started playing covers and originals with our own unique sound, primal funk," Reinhardt said.
Today, the lineup will include Lenny Reinhardt on vocals, sax, flute, harmonica, bagpipes, didgeridoo, tin whistle and vest frottoir (washboard); Mike Nowicki heard on vocals, guitar, slide guitar and mandolin; Mark Cornwell handles vocals and guitar; Russ Van Ness plays on drums and percussion and Dave Bryant performs vocals and bass.
When asked about influences, Reinhardt said, "everything from James Brown to Led Zeppelin. We even do a segue from 'Sex Machine' into 'Ocean.' We also love the music of New Orleans and celebrate Mardi Gras at all of our shows, including the beads. And for something completely different, how about the Ramones on the bagpipes?"
The Shots are featured on the Bergen County Firefighters Pipe Band CD, Dirty Hose. In addition to the traditional bagpipe music, the collaboration of the two bands fuses traditional songs with rocking, funky grooves. Reinhardt also stands out in his original reggae bagpipe tune, "The Rasta Piper" which placed second in World Music in the 2006 Billboard Song contest and is also featured on Dirty Hose. The CD can be purchased at all of shows played by the Shots or at the Bergen County Firefighter's Pipe Band's website.
"We shared the stage with the Bergen County Firefighters Pipe Band on River Street in Savannah, GA for the 2008 St. Patrick's Day Celebration," Reinhardt said. "We've also performed at the Prudential Center in Newark, Bethel Woods on the Intrepid."
The Shots take the stage at McLynn's tonight at 9:30 p.m.
You can check out their MySpace page or email them at TheShotsBand@aol.com.
