Having spent the last few years releasing a wave of fresh and energetic punk-inspired belters, California-based outfit Shape Pitaki recently returned to deliver their latest fast-paced stomper 'The Disease'.
With a wide range of influencers such as Foo Fighters, Weezer, The Beatles and even Elliott Smith, 'The Disease' sees them come back in ferocious form. While starting off as a fairly run-of-the-mill indie-rock track, it quickly explodes into a cacophonous riot of thunderous drums and soaring guitars that show us exactly why so many are beginning to talk about the exciting trio.
So with plenty of new music yet to come, we sat down with them to find out more about their respective backgrounds and what has led them to this point in their careers.
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What were the first instruments you fell in love with?
Shane Thompson (Vox, guitar): My dad played guitar and wanted me to learn at a young age, but it was too hard on my fingers. My mom wanted me to play piano but I said that was for nerds. Then at a family reunion, I asked to sit down and try out the drums and I was hooked. After finding that I can’t bang on the drums all night long, I started learning how to play guitar and write songs, but I played drums for numerous bands and projects before starting Shape Pitaki. Also started learning piano in high school and I thought “I’m a dumb nerd for not wanting to learn this earlier”
Greg Johnson (Bass, vocals): Electric bass who I left for the guitar. Bass is like my wife though. I’m in and out of love with guitars of all sorts but they hurt me, literally.
Mike Willson (drums): Drums and Drums
What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?
Shane: Happiness, passion and obsession. By that, I mean that I want to write songs that really move people like they have inspired me. I want to create something that people want to listen to over and over until their friends call them a freak. A song that gets them through the day. A song that they can’t wait to listen to when they get the chance. A song that they can listen to years later and can still get them excited or emotional. Finding something that can cause goosebumps.
Greg: My pseudo-psychosis. I just finished a two-day fit writing lyrics I will never use. I exhausted all other methods of managing some very harsh emotions, confusion and anger only to find myself back on my instrument with a pen and pad.
Mike: Making records. Having a complete piece of work is something we aren’t seeing too much of these days. Making a proper record is something to be celebrated.
What kind of music did you love as teenagers?
Shane: Greg and I were deep into the punk rock scene. Black Flag, the Circle Jerks, Minor Threat, Bad Religion, The Buzzcocks, etc…But my senior year I started getting way into Elliott Smith and indie music like Arcade Fire, Death Cab for Cutie, Broken Social Scene, the Flaming Lips, Modest Mouse…
Greg: Punk. All day, all night, all day.
Mike: I grew up on classic rock, but quickly got into grunge and then slowly developed a love for the Beatles.
Can you remember the first song that made you want to pursue a life in music?
Shane: Wow! What a question! It’s probably a toss up between ‘Everlong’ by the Foo Fighters or ‘Angeles’ by Elliott Smith. When I first heard ‘Everlong’ in Junior High, that was my first awakening to how much I love great songs and by my own discovery. No one had to tell me this is a great song. With ‘Angeles’ it’s such a simple arrangement of this beautiful guitar playing, haunting lyrics and sweet melody with the tiniest amount of organ in the back and that was really inspiring in the fact that you don’t have to create some over-the-top sonic production to have an amazing song. You can have a few perfectly-matched ingredients to make a wonderful song.
Greg: Maybe it was ‘Six Pack’ by Black Flag. I just got a bass. Someone handed me tabs. “What are tabs?” I knew the song and probably played it with Shape and the boys the following Friday.
Mike: ‘Back in Black’
When you wake up in the morning, what kind of music do you like to listen to?
Shane: You mean afternoon, right? Haha. I honestly, don’t listen to much in the morning unless maybe going for a surf. And it would mostly be rock or punk rock or some indie. You would think reggae, but nah man.
Greg: 91.5, Classical KUSC.
Mike: Usually something more Indie or Americana. I’ll let my phone put together a random “radio” playlist and hopefully discover something new.
How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?
Shane: Oh boy. 98% haha. Write what you know, right? Yeah, I’ve written a couple about my mother who passed away, my dog who passed away, my grandfather who passed away, some former girlfriends, a former friend, a song about my dad, I’ve got one for Chris Farley but I didn’t know him. I guess I need to write a song about Greg and Mike hahaha.
Greg: Maybe ¼ of my songs are about people. Shape may have a different number.
What have been the most memorable moments in your career so far?
Shane: Our first tour up the Pacific Northwest was exciting and our couple trips out to Austin, Texas for SXSW were so much fun! This past summer I toured a large majority of the country as a tour manager for another artist and that was wild!
Greg: Every record release show, whether ours or someone else’s is memorable. No industry night, showcase, festival or tour compares to inviting friends, family and music lovers to a night to celebrate a new record.
Mike: Opening my first studio when I was 19.
Outside of music, what are your biggest passions?
Shane: Mike and I are quite the avid surfers. Greg will charge it bodysurfing with us once in a while. Travelling with my lovely girlfriend is a huge passion! And getting tattoos is quite the painful passion. It hurts so good!
Greg: My family, my profession, my garden.
Mike: Surfing, hiking, camping, going to the river, spending time with my pups and my lady.
If you weren’t musicians, what other path do you think you might have taken?
Shane: I have to constantly ask myself this question haha. Marine biologist would be pretty freakin cool, but my ears are jacked so I can’t scuba (*insert sad face*). And I would need a Dramamine endorsement (*insert puke face*).
Greg: I would’ve stayed in restaurants, perhaps a chef. This is a trick question because I have a well-established career outside of music.
Mike: Probably would have ended up teaching music, but that’s still being a musician, right?
And what advice would you give to those looking to start a career in music?
Shane: Do it because you absolutely love it. Absorb yourself in it. Try to learn as many instruments as you can. Learn how to record. Manage your expectations! Don’t be a dick (or wanker), no matter how talented you are. Music is such an amazing experience when you engage in it with multiple people. A crowd or even a small group singing and dancing along to the same song can be truly magical. Be honest and be true to yourself.
Greg: Play til your body can’t take it anymore. If your music doesn’t hurt, you ain’t doing it enough. And when it hurts, keep playing. It’s music, not war, but you can bleed like it is.
Mike: Play every day if you can. Listen to everything if you can. Be as humble as you can.
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Shape Pitaki's latest single 'The Disease' is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it in the player below.