“Why (Baby Why!)” / “Make You Mine” (Rogue Records RR-027) January 2025

The Knight Shades | Why (Baby Why!) | (Rogue) 2023 | The Knight Shades are a new young garage combo from New York who kick up a mess with their two self-penned numbers on French label Rogue Records. There’s nothing here no one would not have heard before, no surprises, simply a generic fuzz and Farfisa approach to their punk brew.

Both their sound and fashion sense can be described as garage revival, circa mid-eighties. Groups like the Sound Explosion and the primitive essence of the Outta Place spring to mind.

“Why (Baby Why!)” is an eager, fast-paced raver while on the other side, “Make You Mine” is a teenbeat R&B work-out which would have benefitted from some tambourine or maracas.

The disc is certainly one of merit and much more appealing than listening to old has-beens churning out boring old records without an ounce of shame.

Line-up:

Aleister Zanetti (vocals / guitar)
Mario Lemus (bass)
Emily Jane-Shaker (Farfisa, tambourine)
Michael Hutson (drums)