The Static Shift is an old school groovin’ funk to bone-crunching blues-rock stompers.

Calgary blues-rock trio the Static Shift are “old souls” in very young bodies. Just a couple of years ago they were too young to perform in licensed venues – even though their outsize talent had already been getting them gigs at lots of festivals and also a slot opening for the legendary Colin James.

So, who are these guys? Lead vocalist and guitarist Mitchell Brady commands the stage like a magical combination of Led Zep’s Robert Plant and Jimmy Page. He gets turbo-charged support from bandmates Keone Friesen on bass and harp, and Isaiah Stonehouse on drums and background vocals.

Initially inspired by the 2008 documentary It Might Get Loud, featuring Jimmy Page alongside fellow guitar gods U2’s the Edge and Jack White, the three teens were soon digging into the legacy of blues legends like Leadbelly, Lightning Hopkins, and Blind Lemon Jefferson. All that musical history took root in very fertile soil and the result was a fresh and very heavy take on rock ‘n’ roll’s bluesiest roots.

And not only are they amazing players, these guys are great songwriters too: three years in a row they’ve been finalists in the International Songwriters Competition, which attracts about 19,000 entries annually. With several fine albums out – their At Odds won the YYC rock recording of the year award – The Static Shift play everything from groovin’ funk to bone-crunching blues-rock stompers with scary skill and ballsy swagger.

These three young men are nothing short of remarkable. So much so, that after they played a Summer Kicks ’16 show and we saw the audience response, we knew we had to bring them back to the Civic Centre. PLUS they’re coming in on Friday for a youth workshop to talk and play and then late Saturday afternoon they’re going to play a “dress up as your favourite rocker” show for pre-teens in town – no parents allowed!

(text courtesy of KHC)

To learn more about The Static Shift and to listen to their music, visit their website at: http://thestaticshift.com/

Tickets: On Sale September 11. Purchase tickets:

• at the Box Office at the Art Gallery of Golden (516 9 Ave N)
• by phone to: 250 344-6186

Ticket Cost:

• the first 75 tickets for Members – $15 (+tax)
• after that, Member’s regular advance tickets – $20 (+tax)
• Members and Non-Members at the door – $25 (+tax)
• Students always $5 (+tax)