Shanda Cisneros isn’t interested in singing pretty. The vocal powerhouse surrendered that idea long ago, after she left her cover band to create Shanda & The Howlers, a ’60s-inspired rhythm and blues outfit that has churned out hip-swinging originals since the release of 2017 debut Trouble.
“I wanted to sound like a Disney movie, but I had to let that go,” Cisneros says of her formative years. “When you try to sound perfect like that, it takes away the emotion.”
On the band’s new LP, It Ain’t Easy (rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/it-aint-easy), Cisneros embraces a sound that’s as raw and authentic as the era to which she and the Howlers so affectionately pay tribute. Cisneros’ signature husky growl recalls Etta James, and the Howlers’ soulful arrangements hearken back to Otis Redding, Phil and Ronnie Spector and Motown.
“We wanted to branch out a bit, show what we can do and then also not pigeonhole ourselves into only rockabilly, or only garage rock,” Cisneros says. “We wanted a retro sound, and we all appreciate the sound of the ’60s. We really love those musicians, and they influence all of us.”
It would be easy for such a band to wade into cover territory, but Shanda & The Howlers remain set on making original music that’s unmistakably … Shanda & The Howlers. “The art form has to survive,” says bassist Luke Metz, who teams with guitarist Trevor Johnson and drummer Joshua Miller as the Howlers. “We’ve all played in cover bands, which is cool, but if it’s all covers and no one’s doing new music, who’s going to cover stuff 20 years from now?”
In a modern world dominated by pop and hip-hop, Shanda & The Howlers’ sound stands the test of time. The band has packed gigs at the Golden Tiki, Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend and even in Europe. So what keeps people coming back?
“The word that comes to mind is always energy,” Miller says. “When that’s there, I don’t think it matters what era we’re in. When that energy is conveyed from the soul, I feel no matter who’s listening, even if they don’t like that music, they’ll still feel it and be like, ‘That’s a powerful song.’”
Miller should know. When he joined UNLV’s jazz program, he learned about an unfamiliar form of music from drummer Bernie Dresel, formerly of The Brian Setzer Orchestra. “He was a rockabilly guy. When I met him, he had the pop top, the chain wallet, the bowling shirt, and I was like, ‘Who is this guy?’ They were like, ‘Yeah, this is your professor,’” Miller fondly recalls. “But what I learned is there’s this beautiful blend of attitude meeting mechanics.”
Metz and Cisneros bring that attitude to the writing table, spending hours talking, trading stories and making memorable, relatable music.
“We got this thing that you call romance/But you don’t hear a word I say/And you make nothin’ but excuses/But I want you anyway,’’ Cisneros rebelliously sings on “Want You Anyway,” a track about desiring someone who’s bad for you.
“The fun part is writing from a woman’s point of view, but predominantly with what you would call masculine lyrics,” the singer says. “I get to say, ‘Yeah, I feel this stuff, too.’”
With It Ain’t Easy out—and already receiving play on Steven Van Zandt Underground Garage SiriusXM satellite station—the band has upcoming dates booked at the Golden Tiki (February 18), SoulBelly BBQ (March 12), Backstage Bar & Billiards (April 9, opening for Shannon & The Clams) and the Sand Dollar Lounge (April 13). “We feed off the energy of the crowd,” Cisneros says, “so come on down and let’s party.”
Shanda & The Howlers February 18, 10 p.m., free. The Golden Tiki, 702-222-3196.
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