Shaky Town

Northridge Quake Seismograph

Shaky Town as seen with "Pro Tools"

It was 1994 0n Jan 17th Early Morning A Big Quake Hit us Here in LA, Known as the Northridge Quake. Roger, Dennis, and I were getting together writing basic songs to pitch at the time. We put this tune together and recorded it at a small studio, Known as Public Recording. It was recorded on 2" tape, 24 track analog just a week after the quake. Dennis bass, lead, and backup vocals, Roger rhythm guitar and backup vocals, and me, Larry, lead guitar, counter point rhythm, and backup vocals, plus keyboard pad layer. Lyrics by Dennis and Roger mostly, and they nailed the story to perfection! The music arrangement was very accurate and simple with very nice structure and the performance overall was pleasant. The recording was done in about 3 hours studio time completely. Ok Dennis and Roger, finish this!


Larry Nelson

I think Larry made a mistake thinking I had anything to do with the lyrics of Shaky Town. After the quake, we got together at Larry's for our twice weekly writing session and Dennis walked in with all the lyrics. Completed! Dennis sang it. We realized right away that we needed to record it "now" while the quake damage and shock of the event was still fresh on everyone's mind. 

We had already been rehearsing the song with no lyrics. I had ripped off the bridge and the instrumental section from another song I called “I'll remember you” from the early seventies, and it all just came together. So, we went shopping for a studio to record in.

Shaky Town was a song everyone liked. For a quickie job, it came out pretty good. Our harmonies were decent and so was the musicianship. It just goes to show that the songs that just pop out are usually the best. Imagine how good it coulda been had we not been in such a hurry to record it and had time to rehearse. 

Now that I think some about it, did Larry write the music verses on Shaky Town? The intro was all his. Correct me if I'm wrong but I get the feeling he did and then Dennis came up with the Lyrics after the quake. Help me out here. 

As a side note, Dennis was good at pulling rabbits out of a hat. Larry always said Dennis was like a modern day Burl Ives and I agree. It must be because Jonny Horton passed something special on to Dennis when he was just born. (See picture of Dennis being held by Jonny Horton.) That explains a lot!


Roger Nelson


As I Recall, I’m pretty sure I did what you remember Roger. The lead section is in fact from “I'll Remember You” chord wise, but the lead notes are completely different and sound nothing like “I'll Remember You”. Anyone other than us would never connect those together if they listen to it ... Plus we had to compose the “outro” lick to return to the final verse, (which was kind of tricky and was very well crafted), as well as the very final phrase to end the Song.


Larry Nelson

What I remember most is what inspired the lyrics! It was 4 something in the morning. A rumbling sound woke me up. I looked at Gwen wondering what it was. Then our bed started moving up and down. I remember spinning out from beneath the covers and sitting on the edge of the bed with my feet dangling. It felt like I was riding a bucking bronco! After it was over, I remember watching all of the news reports on TV and was moved by how everyone in the city came together to help each other. “Just another day in Shaky Town”!


Dennis Hageman