Patrick Shanks
@shocktheshanker
Earlybird. Bicycle rider. Guitar player. Ballpark chaser. California sober. Nonfiction.
I joined a local bike group and had my first ride as a gang member. There were 15-20 of us and at one point while cruising I heard a bystander say, “What is this? Bicycle City?” and I got to joyfully exclaim, “Yes! This is Bicycle City! That is EXACTLY what this is!”
This summer I’m happy to be healthy and really loving these long morning bike rides. I don’t often dress this pink but some little kid meow’d at me and I make all the Moms smile so that’s the whole thing right there. #ottbike #bicyclestyle #ridemycity
Happy National Hot Dog day! And it is very hot outside. 🥵 If you’re out with your dogs please keep everyone hydrated and practice safety. ⚠️
“I was a mod before you was a mod.” Scooter-boy Glen at the Record Centre yesterday. DJ Pierre (not shown) brought two hot stacks of Turkish jazz 45s from… well, from Turkey - for our enjoyment. Hot fun in the summertime. #Skatterbrains #palsofrock
TONIGHT - never mind the blues fest - it’s The Great Balancing Act at Irene’s. Fun story: our band opened for these very sweet New Brunswickers in 1996. THIRTY YEARS AGO. Doubt they’ll remember but at least two of us will be there tonight. Come hang with some old guitar players. Tix at the door.
Happy birthday to our best girl Casey. Miss you pal. We would laugh until it hurt. You were the loveliest dude.
My Buddha is cracked. It is slowly returning to the Astroturf from which it came.
Excellent bike ride weekend. They’ve cleared most of the fallen trees from the river paths. See you out there pals! #ridemycity #ottbike
No friends like old friends. A very hot night out at the rock show. I didn’t stay late but I got to visit with Flecton Big Sky. And I smoked with Goatboy so I’m taking the win. Also these old men were spectacular as always. #ReverbSyndicate #palsofrock
Found shelter in your driveway. Thanks neighbours. Canada Damp!🇨🇦
Anyway it was Bark at the Park again last night. I didn’t bring a dog but I wore my El Paso Chihuahuas cap. Booped some pups and high-fived some humans. Fun!
Nah. Pretty sure that won’t be any good. See, the way it works is you fuck your lover and you ride an electric bicycle. I think.
Passed a client/pal this morning, both of us on our bikes. I rang my bell and waved then got to work and sent them a note with a link. I may be a prick when it comes to this topic but at least I’m a prick who cares.
Yesterday was stacked. Was all over the damn place enjoying music. There’s a word for a day like that: Frabjous! Enjoy some photos. #palsofrock
This is tonight! Don’t miss THEREMIN MAN. Doors at 8pm. Seriously, this is going to be incredible. @thereminhamm.bsky.social
Big Saturday ahead. First it’s a live broadcast of Canadian Spaces in Chelsea QC featuring many songwriter friends. Later it’s an improv musical at Ottawa Fringe then an amazing night of mind expanding music with THEREMIN MAN at Targ. Wow. If anyone wants a ride to and from Motel Chelsea hit me up.
This Saturday. Don’t miss STEPHEN HAMM THEREMIN MAN as he makes a rare Ontario appearance. You know this west coast legend from bands Slow, Canned Hamm and Nardwuar’s Evaporators. Also! The Flaps, Wax Mannequin, Paraphonique and me, DJ Shanker spinning your favourite records from outer space.
Draves does Dwight. Lovely set of early Elton John music played by pals. Loads of friends were out enjoying the show and it even stopped raining for the bike ride home. Stellar evening. #palsofrock #EltonJohn
Good band. Jamieson Mackay and buds make the pretty down at Irene’s last night. I’ve watched this young fellow grow into an incredibly cool musician and performer. Proud of you, friend. #palsofrock
Last night’s post-game bike ride home. Gotta love a 9PM sunset on top of a Titans win.
Big music weekend in small rooms. Friday is our buddy Jamieson Mackay at Irene’s. His excellent guitar and band will make you happy. Saturday old friend Dave Draves plays early Elton John at Robo Lounge on their Bösendorger grand piano with a hot rhythm section. Let’s go pay attention! #palsofrock
Sticky and warm at the ballpark. Air as hazy as my head. The Brocktons trying to answer back after getting drubbed by our local lads yesterday. Bunk off work and pop by. I’m up in the shade. #matinee #playhooky #doubledrugs
Happy birthday to our buddy Lonesome Paul! Crack a Guinness Zero and throw on a reggae record in honour of one of Ottawa’s finest. #palsofrock
Orit Shimoni and Dan Bern here in Ottawa. Lovely show in a full house on a rainy night. Bet you didn’t realize it, but he’s the guy that wrote that song you really like.