Shane tells us that watching his brother Shad play guitar for a few years proved to be too much for him. "I look back and realize that I really couldn't have cared less what instrument I played, I just wanted to rock like my brother Shad, and since he was already playing guitar, it was like okay, I'll play drums." "I asked my parents, Shane recalls, if I could get a drumset and I think they were okay with the idea, after all, how could they tell me no? Shad gets a guitar, and I get nothing, Homie don't play that!"
Shane was twelve years old when he received his first drum set. It was a "Man Power Series" kit. They were shiny black and it had a big chrome snare drum. "I loved it, Shane says, I also remember that those cymbals shined for days, I was I heaven. Only one small problem, one tiny detail overlooked. I don't know how to play. OH NO - NOT LESSONS." Yep, you guessed it, Shane's parents enrolled him in drum lessons. "It was dreadful, he says, all I wanted to do was hit the drums and hit them as hard as I could, and that I did."
Lessons, Shane now tells us is something that proved to be invaluable. "You never stop learning, there is always something to be learned by other people, without that belief, you just won't progress", Hills Says.
Shane and Shad were in so many bands together throughout their childhood and teenage years. "It was a bonus, Shane remembers, Shad and I always formed the bands and we rehearsed right in our house for years and years. I never had to move my drums ever. Those days are gone now."
After several demo tapes were recorded, Shad and Shane decided to take a try at the big time - LOS ANGELES. They packed up a van, some belongings, their equipment and never looked back. "We told the border patrol, "We're just going for gas, be back in an hour - see ya."
It was the summer of 1992, Shane was not even 21 yet, and Shad was just barely 21. They had no idea where they were going to live, how to earn money, nothing. "We had about $600 each. I don't know what we were thinking. We landed an apartment in North Hollywood, two days after arriving. I'm sure the landlady felt sorry for us, it was plain to see how naïve the two of us were. It didn't hurt that her daughters were there and begged her to let us live there! (he he) The next few months proved to be excruciating on us. Our van fell apart, we ran out of money, and realized that we were little fish in a very, very big pond."
After forming several bands, finally in 1995, one of those bands drew attention from the music industry and several labels began courting the band and we eventually signed with Warner Bros., Records. Shad's time with the group after signing, unfortunately was short-lived, even though he spent a lot of time and worked very hard for the group. The decision to part ways with Shad, left me feeling unsettled for the next couple years, and although I am forever grateful for the opportunities I was given, and the chance to travel and play for people all over the world. I could not help feel that something from my life was missing - Shad! Shane explained that he and Shad fell out of touch with each other during the time he was on the road touring. He had the fortune of performing on the same bill as Matchbox 20, Foo Fighters, Wallflowers, Creed, Our Lady Peace, Barenaked Ladies, Cheap Trick and many others. "It is still surreal to me that I was able to play with so many bands I respect and to play with Cheap Trick, one of mine and my parents favorite bands was just too cool!"
When Shane finally came home for the road he explained that it took about a month to adjust, and for the rocking motion of the bus to stop. "I found myself with way too much time on my hands, and way too much time to think, and in my thoughts were once again my brother". Shane explained.
"I had no idea what he was up to. All I knew was that he spent some time in London, England and that he was still involved in music, and that he was keeping a low profile. I was not expecting what I was about to find out." Shane says. "I discovered that he was back in Los Angeles recording a record that he not only wrote songs on, but was singing on as well. After Shad and I spoke a few times on the phone, it was clear that our relationship was repairing itself."
"I was babbling trying to ask him if I could be involved". Shane remembers.
Shane was at a crossroads in his life, the band he was previously in had run it's course and he found himself a bit lost. One morning Shane woke up to the phone ringing. When he picked it up, it was Shad extending him an invitation to fly to Los Angeles to participate in The Shad Hills Band. "I guess you could say that the phone was still in the air when I landed at LAX." Shane recalls.
The next few weeks were spent meeting the producers, Kevin Anderson and Brian Reeves, who are producing the record, getting familiar with Shad's music and playing drums on the record. "I am very happy at where I am in my life. I am in the right place, with the right people doing the right things. It all feels right! I am looking forward to the completion of the record and am excited to play these song for as many people as possible. It is a very special record and I feel fortunate to be a part of it." Shane says. "Best of all, Shad and I are together again!"
"The fan support has been nothing less than spectacular, and the anticipation for this record has been overwhelming. You can't get any better than Shad Hills Band Fans, they are the cream. Shad and I look forward to meeting each and everyone, that's the cake!"
"My musical influences come from a long line of bands that I listened to when I was a youngster listening to thier songs that they played when they had thier friends over for new years eve party's. I love Pink Floyd because the dynamics that are represented on THE WALL are some of the most beautiful dynamics that have been performed on a record by any artist in the last couple decades.
I was influenced also by bands like Blondie, SuziQ, and Rocky Burnette Beatles. These were the bands that my ears first heard. The first rock n roll I was to
ever hear. I had a phase where I like bands like Motley Crue, Iron Maiden, Kiss and bands like that. It was a feel good thing that they had going on. It was all about partying and gettin laid and there was something that really attracted me to that style of living...During those years is when i really wanted to be a rock star bad. I loved everything i saw in magazines, and i was determined to do what ever it took to live my life like all those bands i looked up to at the time. These days I admire bands with staying power...such as Dylan, Frank Zappa(bless his
soul) Bee Gees, and Fleetwood Mac. I also love all the new artists. Bands from this decade such as, Pearl Jam, Oasis, Radiohead, Pulp, and bands like that...I am inspired everyday with new bands and music that i hear. I guess it is really impossible to nail down one specific artist or band as to whom i am
influenced by,and rightfully so...Theres just too much great shit on the streets to listen to."
How old were you when you started playing?
"It all started when I was around 11 years old. Yeah, I used to bang on shit all day long like pots and pans and counter tops and my moms head and just about everything else I could bang on. I totally dug "animal" from the muppets. Even though I banged on stuff, it didnt mean I wanted to be a drummer. The only reason I became a drummer is because my brother Shad had a guitar and I felt kinda left out and I wasn't happy with that so i asked my dad if I could play the drums and he said yes...I used to cry when I had a drum lesson or when my dad made me practice..All i wanted to do was rock n' roll with my brother Shad."
