When the Flamin’ Groovies released Shake Some Action in the summer of 1976, the musical landscape was changing rapidly. Punk was beginning to explode in New York and London, progressive rock was reaching its peak, and disco was dominating the charts. Against that backdrop, this San Francisco band’s fourth album seemed almost defiantly out of step with the times. Inspired by the melodic brilliance of the British Invasion rather than contemporary trends, Shake Some Action looked backward to move rock music forward. Fifty years later, it stands as one of the defining albums of the power-pop genre and a record whose charm, energy, and songwriting remain remarkably fresh.
The Flamin’ Groovies had formed in San Francisco in 1965, originally led by guitarist Cyril Jordan and vocalist Roy Loney. While the city’s music scene became synonymous with psychedelia, the Groovies preferred lean rock and roll rooted in the sounds of the 1950s and the British bands that followed. After three acclaimed but commercially unsuccessful albums, Loney departed in 1971. Chris Wilson joined as singer and guitarist, and the band gradually shifted toward a more melodic, Beatles- and Byrds-inspired sound. The transformation reached its peak on Shake Some Action, produced by the ever-reliable Dave Edmunds and recorded largely at Rockfield Studios in Wales.
The album’s centrepiece is undoubtedly the title track, “Shake Some Action,” one of the greatest singles never to become a major hit. Built around shimmering guitars, soaring harmonies, and a glorious sense of yearning, the song captures everything that makes power pop so irresistible. Critics and fans alike have long regarded it as a genre-defining recording, and it’s easy to hear why. Every element is perfectly balanced: the chiming guitars, the emotional vocals, and a chorus that seems destined to stay in your head for days.
The quality hardly drops from there. “You Tore Me Down” is another standout, marrying heartbreak lyrics with bright melodies in a way that would later become a hallmark of countless power-pop bands. “I Can’t Hide” showcases the band’s gift for combining jangling guitars with irresistible hooks, while “Yes, It’s True” delivers pure pop craftsmanship in under three minutes. These songs demonstrate Jordan and Wilson’s extraordinary understanding of classic songwriting, drawing inspiration from the 1960s without ever sounding like mere imitation.
Even the covers are inspired choices. The band’s versions of Chuck Berry’s “Don’t You Lie to Me,” the Beatles’ “Misery,” and “She Said Yeah” fit seamlessly alongside the originals. Rather than serving as nostalgic exercises, they reinforce the album’s celebration of rock and roll’s enduring fundamentals: melody, rhythm, and excitement. The Flamin’ Groovies understood that great songs never go out of style, and their performances radiate genuine affection for the music that inspired them.
Shake Some Action shared punk’s rejection of excess and its love of concise, energetic songs. At the same time, it embraced the melodic sophistication that many punk bands deliberately avoided. As a result, the album became a crucial link between 1960s guitar pop, 1970s punk, and the emerging power-pop movement.
The influence of Shake Some Action has been enormous, even if its commercial success was modest. The album helped establish the blueprint for power pop, inspiring generations of artists who valued strong melodies and ringing guitars. Its DNA can be heard in bands such as Big Star, The Replacements, Teenage Fanclub, and countless others who followed.
Many records from 1976 are unmistakably tied to their era, but Shake Some Action feels almost immune to changing fashions. The production remains crisp and uncluttered, the performances are vibrant, and the songwriting is as strong as ever. The album’s reliance on timeless musical principles rather than contemporary trends has allowed it to transcend its original moment.
hake Some Action deserves recognition not merely as a cult favourite but as one of rock’s great lost classics. It captures a band at the height of its creative powers, delivering a collection of songs filled with passion, melody, and undeniable joy.
Donnie’s Rating: 8/10
