Valley-based Carol Pacey and the Honey Shakers are known for playing upbeat music and lyrics that energize audiences and make them want to dance.
They’ll do it again at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix on Friday, February 11.
A week later, Saturday, February 19, Carol Pacey and the Honey Shakers will hit the stage at AIDS Walk Arizona and 5K Run.
Singer/acoustic guitarist Pacey founded the group in 2011 with electric guitarist Andy Borunda. The lineup now also includes drummer Ben DeLuca and bass player Will Gantry.
In 11 years, the band has released three full-length albums, the most recent of which is 2019’s “Bliss.”
The group released the singles “If Romance is Dead Then I Want to Be Dead Too” and “Love Does” in 2020. The following year, they sent to stores a cover of Freddy Fender’s “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights.” Videos are available for “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights” and “Love Does.”
Pacey says she feels “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights” has an angst-riddled tone.
“Andy is from Yuma,” Pacey says.
“They would get together at family parties and cookouts and play a lot of the Tex-Mex music and some of that old-school country. That song was one of the ones that he would hear a lot. I grew up listening to country music as well. I really dug into the lyrics. I liked that song from a female perspective.”
Recently, the band has been working on new songs, like “Sit There and Look Pretty,” “In Your Face” and “Arizona Monsoon Breakup Song.”
Pacey says the tone of the band’s music has gone from playful to dark due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I like to be more positive-minded when I write. The times are not so positive, so my songs have been leaning not so positive. … It did affect some of the songs that I’ve been writing since this all started,” Pacey says.
Meeting of the minds
Pacey says the band has strong chemistry onstage because its members work together well.
“I think everybody in the band loves doing what we do,” she says.
“We each love playing our own particular instruments, and I would say everybody enjoys playing this music, being together and performing.”
Pacey says that although the group’s sound has evolved, especially as they have been doing more ballads, it has tried to stay true to its original sound.
“We’re still in your face, rocking, upbeat and good-timing,” Pacey says.
Pacey grew up listening to a variety of styles, but her family’s love of country music inspired her.
“I’m from Maryland, and my family is from Pennsylvania and Texas,” she says.
“Back then, it was whatever was on the radio dial. My family at the time wasn’t big record purchasers. We had a few eight-tracks. It was more country. I know my mom got into Motown, but it was mostly country. I just leaned toward really good singing and not necessarily any particular genre growing up. If somebody’s voice catches my attention, then I’m going to find out what they are and listen to them.”
In Maryland and Arizona, Pacey sang in cover bands. Eventually, she wanted to helm a band. At 35, she picked up a guitar and five years later she started the Honey Shakers.
“I never got past just picking it up and putting it back down,” she says about her experience with the guitar.
“I never had any lessons growing up. I didn’t do it in school either,” Pacey says. “A college catalog from South Mountain Community College came in the mail one day, and I was like, ‘They teach guitar?’ I borrowed a guitar from a friend, and I walked into guitar class.”
These days, she prefers performing as a duo, trio or band because of richer sound.
“It just brings a certain magic. That full band just fills out the sound, and it brings it more to what I have in my head,” she says.
Pacey says starting her own band later in life gave her more freedom as an artist, but it posed challenges.
“You get to the point where you don’t care what other people think. I’d like them to like it, but if they don’t, that’s alright,” she says.
“That was easier, but then it’s harder because I’m starting out later in life. Not everyone is going for that. They want young, hip bands. In my age demographic, there’s some who go out, but a lot of people don’t. They don’t necessarily buy new music. They are still listening to the music they grew up on. So, it’s challenging to get them to try us out. Younger folks are like, ‘What is this?’ I’m like, ‘Give me a chance. You might be surprised.’”
The 53-year-old Pacey continues to bring a lot of energy to the stage.
“I will rock a lot of younger people under the table,” Pacey says.
“Not with the rock ’n’ roll lifestyle, I can’t do that. But I can perform and have a good time. I’m proud of starting off later.”
Carol Pacey and the Honey Shakers
WHEN: 9 p.m. Friday, February 11
WHERE: The Rhythm Room, 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix
COST: $5 cover
INFO: 602.612.4981, rhythmroom.com
