The Shirkers finally take the spotlight

After five years as a band, The Shirkers is finally headlining its first local show tonight.

What’s taken so long?

“Just shirkin’,” said guitarist and co-vocalist Bill Conklin.

Over the past year, the group has been getting more recognition, landing better gigs and building a bit of a following.

And it’s not because the members are super gung-ho about the band.

“(Shirkers bassist and lead singer Tim Lannigan) always says ‘What’s the name of the band? We can’t take ourselves too seriously,’ ” Conklin said.

The Shirkers began with childhood friends Conklin on drums and Lannigan on guitar, and has been through a slew of lineup changes since. The original bass player and later drummer moved to Seattle for better jobs and formed The Authorities, which plays frequently in town.

Conklin moved to guitar, Lannigan moved to bass, and Dan Johnson, who also hit the skins with the Longnecks, completed the trio two years ago.

So far, the lo-fi garage punk rock band has been true to its name.

The band doesn’t yet have a studio album recorded; a recording of a live show at The Shop exists, but pretty much every band that has played there has one of those. The Shirkers has yet to play an all-ages show, and the guys haven’t gotten over to Seattle to play with their buddies The Authorities.

The Shirkers had logos designed for T-shirts, magnets and more schwag, but chances are the band won’t have anything to sell at tonight’s show at The B-Side, 230 W. Riverside.

And that’s all fine with them, Conklin said.

“We don’t necessarily want to be big rock stars. We just like to play music together,” Conklin said.

Tonight’s 9:30 p.m. show includes openers Death Kills Time. There is a $5 cover.

Often sharing the bill with locals such as Dee Farmin Army, Burns Like Hellfire, The Dearly Departed and Mang, The Shirkers is all about having a good time.

The live show is accented with Lannigan hopping all over the stage, his jumps doubling as visual cues for song changes. The guys also have a penchant for going on stage in costume, whether in diapers or dressed as priests.