As The Shackeltons await their first national, self-titled album release on Jan. 29, the band has been in the national music media spotlight.
The Shackeltons, of Chambersburg, was featured as SPIN Magazine's Artist of the Day on Dec. 4. Nearly a week later, the band was reviewed by Rolling Stone magazine.
Formed in 2004, the band consists of five local guys -- four from Chambersburg and one from Shippensburg. Combining five musical tastes are Mark Redding, vocals; Eric Fisak, guitar; Dan Schuchman, guitar; Justin McDaniel, bass; and Sean Hallock on drums. In August 2006, McDaniel replaced his older brother, Joshua, the original bassist of The Shackeltons, and Hallock replaced former drummer Jonathan Slick.
"We started practicing in my apartment and we probably had about eight songs recorded in a couple months," Redding said.
The local group was officially signed by Loveless Records, Seattle, in March after numerous performances in New York City, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Hanover and other cities.
Classified by Loveless and various Web sites as indie rock -- a form of alternative rock on the underground music scene -- the band members themselves aren't as quick to put a definition on their sound.
"We never asked to be signed and knew the chances were pretty slim," Redding said. "We never reached out to anyone because we didn't think it was time."
Show after show, the ball started rolling as word spilled out to people in the music industry. Even before the band was signed, Seattle radio station KEXP championed The Shackeltons' music, Redding said.
"Things happen when you work hard for a long time," he said.
Redding credits the success of The Shackeltons mostly to word-of-mouth and by playing live shows within a two-mile radius of Houston and Ludlow streets in New York City -- which according to Redding, "is the place to be if you want to see live music."
In 2004, they played their first New York City show at Knitting Factory. Since then, the band has played at venues such as Pianos, Mercury Lounge, The Annex, Cake Shop and Arlene's Grocery.
"Not a feel-good band," The Shackeltons' artistic performances are not meant to "gently entertain" an audience, Redding said.
The band plays all original songs, as opposed to covers, so listeners won't hear all their favorite hits throughout a Shackeltons concert.
"Every show is a work of art," Redding said. "It's not just us getting up there, playing songs."
The artistic flair of a Shackeltons performance is themed by each musician sporting a military jacket and a stage adorned with fresh flowers and strings of lights. Redding said they think outside of the box, incorporating romantic and realistic feelings and ideas into their musical displays.
Each member plays a part in writing the music and lyrics to their songs, which creates a sound of its own -- one that cannot be labeled with any specific genre.
"I would just call it music," Redding said. "We're just lucky to have five guys step in a room and the music becomes its own being. We're blessed to have the chemistry, tension, desire and love of music."
The Shackeltons' 11-song album to be released in late January was recorded in March in Echo Park, in Los Angeles. Redding said the person who recorded their music at Echo Park has worked with musicians such as Fiona Apple and Kanye West. Also, the band, Yeah Yeah Yeahs was recording there the night before for a "Spider-man" soundtrack.
The Shackeltons' album release party will begin at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 29, when doors open at Record City, 263 Southgate Shopping Center