"Hold On" - Live from the Shoals 8-21-2011
The band originated when lead singer/guitarist Brittany Howard and bassist Zac Cockrell, both attending East Limestone High School in Athens, began meeting after school to write songs. The two played prog rock and other genres but soon found a calling playing roots rock. They approached drummer Steve Johnson, who was working at the local music store, to join the band and the trio soon went to a studio in Decatur, Alabama, to record some of the songs they were writing. Guitarist Heath Fogg joined the band after hearing the demo.[2] Though they had been working on original material, they worked up cover songs by Led Zeppelin, James Brown, Otis Redding, AC/DC and others to fill a "one show only" 45 minute set, under the name The Shakes. The band later added Alabama to their name to differentiate themselves from other bands called the Shakes
Rise To The Sun- livefrom Austin City Limits Music Festival
Alabama Shakes released the four-song EP Alabama Shakes in September 2011, gained media attention (including by NPR)[5], and earned them an invitation to play at CMJ.[6] The successful show CMJ in October 2011 caught the attention of Jon Pareles of The New York Times, who praised Howard's singing (comparing her to Janis Joplin) and the band's energy and musicianship.[7] In late 2011 the band's song "You Ain't Alone" was used in a Zales jewelry ad and Alabama Shakes made MTV's list of 11 Artists To Watch In 2012.[8][9] In the span of less than a year the band went from virtual obscurity to playing venues such as the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. and the Troubadour and Music Box Theater in Los Angeles.[10]
The band made their U.S. national television debut on February 7, 2012 on Conan [14] where they performed their first single, "Hold On" and a web-exclusive performance of "I Ain't the Same".[15] On April 12, 2012 the band performed on the Late Show with David Letterman for his birthday episode. They made their UK television debut on April 24, 2012, where they appeared on Later... with Jools Holland and performed "Hold On", "Be Mine" and "Hang Loose." On August 14th, 2012 they appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
In September 2012, the band performed at Bestival on the Isle of Wight, alongside The XX and Stevie Wonder.
In September 2012, the band performed at Bestival on the Isle of Wight, alongside The XX and Stevie Wonder.
