SHIM hasnt released fresh material in almost two years now (according to their MySpace page, theyre currently in the process of recording a new album), but this is a band thats always been about the live performances anyway. Fans have come to expect and soak up the billowing smoke machines and arena-style lighting that accentuate SHIMs stage, along with the bands frizzed-out hairdos, which go perfectly with their saucy music. While theyve previously listed classic rock acts like Boston and the Doors as their influences, SHIM is actually pretty reminiscent of the Black Crowes, what with the squealing electric guitars, heavy bass lines and particularly with lead singer Ragan Crowes (Crowes? Crowe? Anyone?) bluesy, howling melodies. Its high-octane stuff either way (one song finds the band shouting Let me feel that thunderbolt!), and in a city that loves going out for rock-and-roll shows, SHIMs devil-may-care energy is always a real crowd-pleaser. With Virgin Islands. E. THOMPSON
Sat., Jan. 9, 9 p.m., 2010
