Shakey's Brother up for Grammys

Shakey's Brother have only been together for a year

A little known East Lancashire band could be rubbing shoulders with rock royalty after being selected for nomination for two Grammy awards.

Shakey's Brother have only been together for a year and are yet to release their debut album.

However, the five piece indie band have been short-listed for a Grammy in two categories reportedly against the likes of Keane, Pink and Seal.

The nominations follow their recent signing to US promoters Big Noise.

Big Noise put their specially recorded five track EP forward for the best pop vocal album and the band have also been named as contenders for best pop performance by a duo or group with vocals.

Daunting

Although they are up against established acts they are hopeful of winning at least one of the awards.

This is about music; not album sales or money or how big your contract is with major record companies. Phil Parker from Shakey's Brother

Engineer Phil Parker who plays the guitar and sings in the band said: "Well, we're in it to win it!"

"This is about music; not album sales or money or how big your contract is with major record companies.

"It's about how songs make you feel and this is why artists are voted for by the academy so it is a level playing field."

Bass player Jimmy McNulty says the band are "shocked but very excited" by the news and admitted it was quite daunting.

Three members of the band come from Sabden; frontman Mark Capstick, Phil Parker and Mark Smith while bass player Jimmy McNulty hails from Bacup and drummer Sam Robinson is from Bolton.

Fingers crossed

Jimmy who is in the last year of a physical geography degree added: "We have a good following around Sabden but hopefully this will broaden our fan base out further."

Lead singer Mark Capside says even if they don't go on to win it has certainly got people talking about Shakey's Brother, even Sting!

"Sting was talking on Alan Titchmarsh's TV show and wished us good luck," said Mark. "It's completely unbelievable!"

The final sift of the initial stage of nominations at LA's Club Nokia in December when the band will find out if they will be going to the Grammy Awards on 31 January 2010.

Shakey's Brother have their fingers crossed they will get through so they can attend the awards ceremony in LA. "The closest I have been to LA is singing a few la las in songs!" joked Phil.