Meet Shane Chikeles | Drummer & Multi-instrumentalist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shane Chikeles and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shane, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
Being renaissance festival entertainers, there is often a misconception that we only work 2 days a week. There is a lot of administrative work that goes into booking the year as well as creating new music and content for the show. In many cases it can actually be a 7 days a week situation. When we first decided to bring Boom Boom Shake on the road full time I remember quite a few 14-16 hour days researching different festivals, sending emails, making phone calls, etc… That went on for most of 2021 and continues to be a big part of what we do. There is a certainly a joke in this industry that “we get paid to be booking agents and drive long distances, the shows are free”.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
For as long as I can remember I always loved playing the drums. According to my parents I had a toy drum kit when I was three and would always play along right on time with one particular song when it would come on the radio. I don’t have much of a memory of that, but years later when it came time in elementary school to enroll in the school band, I of course ended up in the percussion section. Shortly thereafter, I got my first drum kit and have been playing ever since. I started doing club shows at the age of fifteen and went on my first national tour when I was seventeen with one of my first bands “Drowning Room.” By the age of nineteen had toured the US, Japan, and Europe with the band “Joshua.” During that time I really got into learning other instruments, recording, and songwriting, which really came to flourish in more recent times with the creation of “Boom Boom Shake.” In 2005 I had the opportunity to join the internationally renowned rock band “The Ataris,” and I toured and recorded with them extensively until 2008. I even got to perform with “The Ataris” on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. During a short hiatus from full time touring, I met my wife Elizabeth Muise, who also happened to be starting her first year in the bellydance show at the New York Renaissance Faire. By that time I had been attending the faire as a patron for twelve years. My first girlfriend had to drag me there, the first time I ever went, and I ended up having a great time and always made sure to make it there at least once a season. I never thought of bringing the two things I love-music and the renaissance festival- together until Elizabeth and I were given the opportunity to work with the drum and bagpipe band Cu Dubh in 2012. Not only did this get me back into touring full time, but it was something Elizabeth and I could do together. We have been performing at renaissance festivals ever since. In 2021 we decided to take our own project “Boom Boom Shake” on the road as a renaissance festival act. We were previously a more modern band with drum kit and electric instruments. We started the project in 2011 and have released 8 world/rock fusion music albums in that time, and feel that now is the right time to make this project, that we have loved for so long, our full time career. So far it has been going great and we are having a blast!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
For food and drink we had a lot of fun at “The Brutal Poodle” a metal themed bar in Denver. The bar at The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park was also a fun and historic place to grab a drink.

Being a drummer/musician I would certainly send any of my fellow musician friends to Denver Percussion, Rupp’s Drum Shop, and Music Go Round Aurora.

Of course there are so many beautiful places to see in the surrounding areas. Garden of the Gods, Red Rocks amphitheater, and of course Pikes Peak if you’re willing to brave an elevation of 14,000 ft. If not you can see it from quite a distance!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my parents who were always incredibly supportive of all of my artistic endeavors. My father used to drive me all over the north east when I was playing shows in my first band before I was old enough to have a drivers license.

Of course my wife Elizabeth as well. Without her there wouldn’t be a Boom Boom Shake. Her continued love and support are a huge factor in keeping me focused on all of the important things.

And, her parents Greg and Carol. They continue to be huge supporters of what we do and will even take a road trip occasionally to visit us on the road.

And of course a very special dedication to Jack, Johanna, Claudia, Liz Azi, and all the other amazing musicians and dancers that are a part of our show throughout the year. We certainly couldn’t do it without you!

Website: boomboomshake.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boomboomshakemusic/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Boom-Boom-Shake/100063712740252/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/sranger80

Image Credits
Sean Hansen Cat Trzaskowski J. Ferrara Clark Scott hendriX Photo