Shoveljerk Back On Home Turf At Mother’s Pub

After a two-month national tour opening for Stabbing Westward - the band that just scored a mega hit with “What Do I Have to Do?” - Shoveljerk has returned to the area and will play Mother’s Pub tonight.

Together, the two bands played clubs that held capacities between 400 to 1,200 people. Most shows were sold out.

“They’re the coolest band we’ve ever met as far as guys go,” says vocalist-guitaris Paul Hemenway. “Their singer ended up being our light guy.”

While on the road, Shoveljerk’s first single “Unwind” was being spun at 90 commercial radio stations across the country. It even charted in the Top 70 on the album rock charts, according to Hemenway.

But things weren’t all that peachy for the band. Drummer Zia Uddin, who replaced Jim Bruce nine months ago, bailed out of the Coeur d’Alene guitar unit after the band returned from tour last week. Former Citizen Swing drummer Mike Tsirgi, who tried out for the band after Bruce’s departure, is filling in.

Recently, Polygram bought Shoveljerk’s label, Capricorn. What this means is Capricorn, formerly owned by Sony, has more money for promoting bands and additional help in getting songs on the radio.

“At this point it’s good because Mercury’s (Polygram) head radio guy likes us,” says Hemenway of the acquisition. “But you never know. In a year we might get dropped.”

Shoveljerk’s second single, “Summer,” will be released sometime in the early summer.

Cover is $5. Music starts at 9:30.

, DataTimes