After the Jump Band Profile: The Shackeltons

Who: The Shackeltons
Location: Chambersburg, PA
Listen: The Shackeltons - "Tremble"
ATJ Slot: Main Stage, 5:30pm

PTST: I'm gonna go ahead and assume that Ernest Shackelton is the inspiration behind your name, but what made you choose him as your band's namesake? Who is more badass, Ernest Shackelton or The Shackeltons?
Shack: We did name ourselves after Ernest. Being stranded in the Arctic Ocean and leading all 27 men through (after over a year of being stranded) to safety- that is pretty badass. We got stranded in Fayetteville, NC with a broken transmission. That was tough, but Ernest wins the badass award. I will have to say that life in general takes courage, faith, hope, love, persistence, songs, and a good dose of humor- that is what we have in common with Ernest. We don't want to give up, and we know that this journey is definitely not all peaches and creme. But we will survive and we will have a story for our loved ones.

PTST: My knowledge of Pennsylvania is a bit limited, so where is Chambersburg? Is there any sort of a scene there?
Shack: Chambersburg is 25 miles west of Gettysburg, PA. Abe Lincoln made a speech there. Chambersburg was the most northern town to be burned to the ground by the Confederate army. I am now informed that it was burned twice. Currently it is one of the quaintest towns with absolutely no night life. Unless you love little league baseball. Who doesn't? The scene is DIY. The Shackeltons were the only scene here for a while- we used a local warehouse that was a homeless shelter/food pantry/clothing bank for our shows. We usually had Brooklyn's Skeletonbreath or Kiss Kiss and Ramona Cordova come play these shows with us and some young local bands, and it was always brilliant. Our next show here (Aug 1st) will be at the historical Capitol Theater, and the mayor of Chambersburg asked us to play. Skeletonbreath will be playing with us, and hopefully the West Philadelphia Orchestra.

PTST: What's the best thing about being in a band from Chambersburg? Aside from questions about it, what's the worst?
Shack: Best thing: Cost of living! I have my own apartment with a balcony, and a few feet away from a park with a waterfall- $300 for rent. Tall ceilings and huge old windows. There are 4 wonderful thrift stores, 2used book stores, 2 coffee shops, 3 Mexican eateries, 1 original pizza joint (Cajun chicken white pizza or Thai white pizza), 2 Italian restaurants, 3 nifty diners, and a historical library that rules- All in our little downtown (not to mention the other stores). And, my mom lives a block away- she is a sweetheart with humor and great food.
Worst things: There is a lack of a social and artistic scene. Feels quite lonely at times. But this makes for room to write aching songs about burning towns and searches for love in the ruins.

PTST: Your music has been described as raw, emotional, and epic, where does music like that come from? Does it start with lyrics or music?
Shack: Both. We make each song as a group. No one comes in the room with a completed song. One guy starts playing something, then each guy adds to that, and it grows and grows... until the song is a young man or woman. I write the lyrics on the spot most of the time, but sometimes,I take from something I wrote in my notebook. The burning of Chambersburg is a bit like my heart. I have seen lives of my loved ones buried. I have seen the minds of my loved ones lost. I have seen the tears of orphans and widows. Life is short, and I know it. Oh to love, to cry, and to actually see new life spring from the ruins.

PTST: As passionate as your music is your live show is way more intense and visceral, is there a conscious effort to perform at that high level or is it more a spur of the moment the music is driving me type of feeling? Is there such a thing as a too intense Shackeltons show?
Shack: There is a balance between madness and genius. I'm not sure where west and. That uncertainty makes for good art. Not knowing if you are trying too hard or not trying enough is a good place to be. You are thinking and caring- you are alive. This is the place we all are each day in our relationships at work/home/school/bed. Sometimes we can't sleep at night. I guess when the rage that comes from the deepest frustration in the middle of the night can play itself out on the stage. What is your frustration? What is your elation?

PTST: Is there a need to top yourself with each passing show?
Shack: Yes. This uncertainty makes us a problem and a potential. Like the kid who has an over-protective soccer mom. We have our shin guards on,but mom is concerned that the kick will hurt. We want to do better,but mom needs to let us do our thing and not worry about our tender shins.

PTST: How do you feel about the idea of performing on the outdoor stage at After the Jump with all of North 6th St. at your feet?Have you put any thought into what could come out of you there?
Shack: Jimi Hendrix played a live show in Harlem. It was at the height of his career. The neighborhood pretty much left as he played. He wasn't their music. He wasn't their black music. It was a terrible show. We are not NYC. Jimi was from Seattle. Jimi missed his mother. She died when he was young. He longed for a home in his heart. We are not a part of a frat scene or a hipster-super-fly-I'm-gonna-make-you-impressed vibe. I miss home in my heart.

PTST: Do you guys have any plans post After the Jump?
Shack: We play the XPN festival on July 12th (Philly- w/ Blind Boys of Alabama, O' Death, Beth Orton, etc), a homecoming show in Chambersburg, and shows in Philly and Brooklyn (Union Hall), and then head out for a full blown USA tour (Aug-Sept) that will include Bumbershoot in Seattle (w/ Beck, STP, Band of Horses, the Walkmen, TI, etc). We will also be recording a few songs while in Seattle.

PTST:Are there any other bands you're looking forward to seeing at After the Jump?
Shack: Pela, The Antlers, Ponytail, Pattern is Movement, and HEALTH. And meet the amazing folks who put this Festival together!!!