Description
Flamin’ Groovies – Shake Some Action – Green Vinyl Record
Shake Some Action, released in 1976, is the defining statement of the Flamin’ Groovies’ second act—a sharp stylistic pivot from their early raw rock ‘n’ roll roots into crisp, retro-influenced power pop. After years of lineup changes and commercial obscurity, this album marked both a rebirth and a refinement. With Cyril Jordan now firmly at the helm following the departure of original frontman Roy Loney, the band traded the garage-rock swagger of records like Teenage Head (1971) for something more melodic, chiming, and distinctly Anglophile in flavor. Think Rubber Soul filtered through the jangle of mid-’70s London.
The title track, “Shake Some Action,” is the album’s centerpiece and most enduring contribution—an undeniable classic that encapsulates the band’s shift in identity. Opening with a ringing guitar line reminiscent of The Byrds, it’s a song that blends melancholy with momentum, sounding both timeless and urgently present. Produced by Dave Edmunds, the track (and much of the album) captures a kind of sonic clarity and polish that was missing from their earlier, rougher efforts. But rather than softening the band’s spirit, this approach enhances it. The result is a sound that’s clean but never sterile—passionate, tuneful, and laced with longing.
Much of Shake Some Action feels like a love letter to British Invasion pop, especially The Beatles, The Hollies, and The Kinks. Tracks like “You Tore Me Down” and “I Can’t Hide” are drenched in harmony, melodic counterpoint, and chiming Rickenbacker guitar tones. But there’s nothing derivative or nostalgic about it—the Groovies weren’t just rehashing the past; they were revitalizing it. Their sound was a stark contrast to the bloated rock scene of the mid-’70s, and in many ways, Shake Some Action served as a precursor to the power pop revival and even the punk ethos that would emerge just a year or two later.
While the album didn’t find massive commercial success, its influence has been enormous. Bands like Big Star, R.E.M., Teenage Fanclub, and even The Replacements would carry forward the emotional urgency and melodic punch that Shake Some Action embodies. It has become a cult classic, not just for its standout single but for its consistency across the record. From the aching vocal delivery on “Misery” to the driving beat of “Let the Boy Rock and Roll,” there’s a sense of craftsmanship and sincerity that elevates the album far beyond mere retro pastiche.
Shake Some Action is one of those records that seems to exist slightly outside its own time—rooted in the ’60s, released in the ’70s, and rediscovered with reverence in the decades since. It’s an album that captures the aching romanticism of youth, the beauty of melodic simplicity, and the enduring thrill of a great guitar hook. For anyone drawn to the intersection of pop elegance and rock energy, this is essential listening.
Mastered by Kevin Gray from original 1976 master tapes.
Includes inner sleeve with tape box scans.
Pressed at RTI on limited color vinyl.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Shake Some Action
Sometimes
Yes It’s True
St. Louis Blues
You Tore Me Down
Please Please Girl
Let The Boy Rock N’ Roll
Don’t You Lie To Me
She Said Yeah
I’ll Cry Alone
Misery
I Saw Her
Teenage Confidential
I Can’t Hide
