My Sunday Song – “Shag Shack” by Teenage Head

For My Sunday Song #372, we are on to Deke’s 2nd choice and this time it is from the punk band Teenage Head and their song “Shag Shack”. This was never a single, but was off their third album ‘Some Kind of Fun’ which was released in 1982. This Ontario band scored a gold album reaching #18 on the Canadian charts and are considered by some to be Canada’s answer to the Ramones. The band consists of Gordon Lewis, Steve Mahon, Nick Stipanitz, Frankie “Venom” Kerr and they all had a hand in writing this song (or they agreed to split things four ways and they each got credit).

There is no great mystery to what the song is about. It is about a place around 200 miles up the tracks from where ever they are that is meant for all sorts of fun. Based on the title, I think you know what kind of fun that pertains. The person is completely wasted as he says in the song and he might be laying a “deuce” which is way too much information to share. Really, Not Necessary!! LOL!!

The music is pretty much party rock with a punk edge to it. A drum barrage of snare hits kicks things off with simple riffs and a groove. It isn’t as fast as I would’ve expected, but is upbeat enough to party to. If you are looking for some mindless fun, then this is right up your alley. Nothing thought provoking, just punk…plain and simple. This isn’t punk railing against the establishment, not at all. It is simply sex, drugs and rock & roll and maybe taking a deuce to top things off.

Give the song a listen and let me know what you think. It won’t be one of my favorites from Deke’s list, but it wasn’t bad. Like I said, sometimes putting something mindless on is all you need. Thanks Deke for another great choice. Go check out The Distortion Den on Youtube or go to Superdekes.com and support Deke. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a wonderful and Happy Sunday!

“Shag Shake”

Maybe tomorrow when I get lost

I’m goin’ to a place where it’s not too far

Two hundred miles, just follow the tracks

Well, I’ll do the drivin’, it’s easy to find

(We’re headed to the Shag Shack)

(Ooh, baby, gotta get back)

(You know I’m movin’ to the Shag Shack)

(Ooh, c’mon let’s head back)

Well, I got you beside me, we’re on our way

Well, don’t leave a message, we’re gone to stay

Follow the way I live, I live day to day

It’s up on a hilltop, parties everyday

(Well, Shag Shack)

(Ooh, baby, gotta get back)

(You know I’m headed to the Shag Shack)

(Ooh, baby, gotta get back)

You have no secrets when you are there

Nothing to lie to, nothing to pay

And you must be with me, please let me go

You’re spinning around it, not letting me know

Well, I like to visit on a day like this

I promise you good times for you not to miss

(Shag Shack)

(Ooh, baby, gotta get back)

(You know I’m goin’ to the Shag Shack)

(You know I gotta get back, hey)

Well, I’ll do that drivin’ to give you a break

Move on faster, you know I can’t wait

Well, you must believe it, I can’t wait to go

That feeling upon me, let all it go

Well, I might be wasted or layin’ a deuce

Well, I’ve got every reason to leave to that roost

21 thoughts on “My Sunday Song – “Shag Shack” by Teenage Head

  1. Great writeup John. Doing up this list for you to review was not to make it the obvious picks. Some Kinda Fun and the album before it Frantic City went Gold here but they never could make it in the States. They had an opportunity but it got derailed by Gord Lewis getting into a car accident which derailed their momentum.
    Last year Lewis was murdered by his own son and Venom died years ago from cancer. Yet the music lives on….
    Some Kinda Mindless Fun is needed at times….

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Yeah I heard about that with Lewis. I saw that Doc on Teenage Head which was very good and then shortly after the murder happened, Very weird. A lot stuff got in their way of success as you say, a great band.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. That was a great documentary. I was lucky to catch ‘em back in 2019 and Dave Rave did a great job fronting the band as back in the mid 80s he was the rhythm guitar player in Teenage Head

        Liked by 2 people

          1. They blasted through I think like 22 tunes that night
            Disgusteen is such a killer track as I could have picked easily another 21 songs from there catalog

            Liked by 2 people

  2. I’ll check out the track after the rest of my lazy bones family wakes up.

    I remember hearing the band come up on MuchMusic once in a while.

    What is it with good Canadian bands and the name Gord?

    Gord is seemingly everywhere!

    Liked by 2 people

  3. Deke introduced this band to me a few years ago…good band. I knew the name because I knew the Flamin’ Groovies album where they got it from. This has a Ramone-type sound to it.

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Yeah Sorry Deke.

    This song didn’t convert me like the Saints and Sinners song last week.

    I dig how it’s got this Anarchy In The UK vibe in the riffs.

    But now I’ve gone down a rabbit hole reading about the murder, etc.

    Liked by 2 people

  5. A different sound for sure Pete. A band that has had many tragedies yet it still carries on… Glad I caught em live back in ’19 with Lewis on guitar. RIP

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Nice to see a little love for Teenage Head. This is a good deep cut of sorts from the band. Not in my top 10 list for TH songs but a decent tune. I saw them play twice and they really could rock out, Lewis was an amazing guitar player. The second time he was still off due to the accident as mentioned. Honestly Frankie Venom was the epitome of the Punk Lead singer, a great showman. Top Down baby!!

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