Alabama Shakes

Alabama Shakes is an American rock band formed in Athens, Alabama, in 2009. The band consists of lead singer and guitarist Brittany Howard, guitarist Heath Fogg, bassist Zac Cockrell, and drummer Steve Johnson.

The band began its career touring and performing at bars and clubs around the Southeast for two years while honing its sound and writing music. They recorded their debut album, Boys & Girls, with producer Andrija Tokic in Nashville while still unsigned. Online acclaim led ATO Records to sign the band, which released Boys & Girls in 2012 to critical success. The album's hit single "Hold On" was nominated for three Grammy Awards. After a long touring cycle, the band recorded its second record, Sound & Color, which was released in 2015, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, and won them three Grammy Awards, including Best Rock Song for "Don't Wanna Fight." In 2018, the band won the Grammy Award for Best American Roots Performance for their rendition of "Killer Diller Blue" in the film The American Epic Sessions, bringing their Grammy total to 4.

Latest Articles

Reviews / Album

Album Review: Alabama Shakes - Sound & Color

"Some underlying old-style rhythm & blues and soul elements probably always present are allowed more rein."

Reviews / Live

Live Review: Alabama Shakes, Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires

"...devoted fans were left hanging as they waited for their Alabama Shakes favourites, Hold On and Hang Loose, arguably two of their best tracks, which regrettably never came"

Features / Music

Why It Was Time To Add To Their Repertoire

Guitarist Heath Fogg chats album number two ahead of Bluesfest.

News / Music

Alabama Shakes Announce Sydney Headline Show

Their only Bluesfest sideshow

Reviews / Live

Live Review: Alabama Shakes & Bob Log II

All agree the house was rocked and, regardless of who Alabama Shakes remind you of, that’s what they came to do.

Features / Music

Shakin’ All Over The World

"Honestly we just didn’t want Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings to hear that we were trying to steal their thunder or something like that."

Reviews / Live

Live Review: Alabama Shakes

If this sounds like a love story perhaps it was, and if you love your rock music without pretence but with a whole lot of Southern-inspired hospitality then get on down to an Alabama Shakes show while they are still playing smaller venues.

Reviews / Album

Album Review: Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls

Aside from reverb and percussive overdrive, minimal effects are used on their debut longplayer, ensuring Howard’s passionate vocals stand out.

Reviews / Album

Album Review: Alabama Shakes - Boys And Girls

A ferocious and inspired debut album, steeped in an array of influences to blend the emotion of soul and country.