By Lucky (SugarBuzz Hollywood Reporter)

December 21, 2004

SugarBuzz Magazine

Page One

With that in mind I wearily headed out to Belgium to seek out 4 ruffians whom collectively call themselves Nervous Shakes. These bad boys have been causing quite a scene what with some kick ass European shows and a debut CD entitled “Separate Beds? I Don’t Think So”. The CD has gotten rave reviews and for good reason as it is chock full of glamaside, raunchy, derelict, irresponsible rock and roll goodies that need to be ear candy for the masses.

Upon encountering the boys I discovered they left the drummer at home, seems he needed a time out. So I sat down with Ivan Dreini – vocals, James Cain – guitar and Fill De Klerk or as he is referred to as Flup’K – bass to find out just what in the hell is behind this to be reckoned with force.

Flup'K (brother from Layla): I'm from nowhere & all 'round in the UNIVERSE is a galaxy round a star called SUN with many planets surrounding and on the bluest planet of that solar system is a continent called EUROPA somewhere in the middle of that continent lives a tribe in BELGICA where my forefathers where born in a little village surrounded by Roman Garrisons called St-Nicolas.

Ivan: Brussels, Belgium though a multi-racial band- we're very PC: 1 Irish guy, 1 Italian, 1 Flemish and a drummer-sounds like New York to me.

James: The land of saints & scholars & sordid dog collars.

2. When and how was the band started?

Flup’K: Correct me if my memory fails but somewhere 'round mid EIGHTIES I joined a band called 'HAWAI CITY FIVE' where Ivan was the lead singer and through many guitar & drum adventures we both never succeed to separate our ways....

Ivan: 3 years ago, on the ashes of our previous band, Shake Appeal (1 single + a couple of songs on various compilations, the best one being Jeff Dahl's Trash on Demand vol. 3, a great comp on the Californian Triple X label) and with a little help from some friends. Only James Cain, guitarist for world famous hard punk'n'roll combo Reagan Cain remained - God bless him & his wife'n'kid to come- and here we are!

James: These old goats were plugging away way before they got me roped into it, but I've been with 'em on & off since Christmas 2000.

Flup'K: I remember a festival in 'Bilzen' round '78 when THE CLASH came for the first time in BELGIUM before that I only have flashes of gigs of URIAH HEEP, TED NUGENT, STATUS QUO, but can you call that Rock 'n’ ROLL?

Ivan: Elvis doing 'Blue suede shoes' on an American music retrospective show MC'ed by Henri Salvador, followed by a leather clad Gene Vincent doing a slow version of 'Be bop a Lula', shown on the same show. In like Flynn, so to speak.

James: Be Bop A Lula & Da-Doo Ron Ron are my earliest memories. They must've been used in some shitty Shake'n'Vac commercial or something, but you could say the damage was done.

4. Who are your major influences?

Flup'K: Paul Simonon, Didier Malherbe, Stan Getz & my dog....

Ivan: Elvis, Gene, Eddie, Eric Burdon, Beatles, Rubettes, Slade, Ramones, Gun Club, Undertones, Cramps, Barracudas, Reigning Sound, Von Bondies, Wanda Jackson, etc...the list goes on forever.

James: Anyone who doesn't like the Ramones can pretty much fuck off as far as I'm concerned. As for the others, I'da thought 'twas obvious enough.

5. What equipment are you using on stage and in the studio?

Flup'K: Why do you think they call me Flup'K "PRECISION" *** (put in reverse on the bottom of the page this answer: I play exclusively on Fender Precision & Bassman gear)

Ivan: Shure microphones, but I'm not picky, anything that rocks and rolls and that will carry the message loud and clear.

James: My trusty old sunburst Les Paul for the sledgehammer bits & my battered old TV yellow Les Paul for the more subtle bits (subtle being a relative concept). Whatever amp I can con some good gullible soul into lending me, but on the record it's a JCM 900. Not what I woulda chosen, but you know what they say about beggars.

6. What is the worst gig you ever played? What was the best?

Flup'K: The next one & the next one.

Ivan: Worst: only one, let's forget about the past. Best: Marseille, France and Nijlen, Belgium, both in 2004.

James: Worst usually involve chemical interference and there's been a few, alas. I know, how boring. As for the best, uhh, Marseille with Nervous Shakes springs to mind. Also the last one we did in Brussels didn't leave a single ass unkicked. I know these things.

Flup'K: In bed (but not separate...)

Ivan: At Studio Molière in Brussels, Belgium on the corner of l'Avenue Albert and l'Avenue Molière, my childhood playground and the place where 'ça plane pour moi' and the Real Kids 3rd album were recorded.

James: An overpriced bunker called the Studio Moliere in Brussels. I think we were the first and only r'n'r band to ever use the place. They were pretty decent though, which is just as well 'cos it took us a long-ass time to cough it all up.