Shikshadle
Boise-based Shikshadle started as a punk rock band that morphed into a hardcore/metal crossover group. December of 1999 was when founding members Mary Solis (vocals) and Jason Rodger (guitar) recruited Bruce Devino (drummer) and Ben Peloquin (bassist). Additional players came and went over time, including Corey Hanson, Jeff Thayer, Dave Solis, and Creepy Thompson. Mary and Jason were the only constant members. They frequently moved between the Land of Potatoes (Idaho) and the Evergreen State (Washington), forcing them to “pick up” friends and additional members as needed. The band took a lengthy hiatus after the birth of Jason and Mary’s son Vincent in 2002. Jason, and Jeff, and Corey all moved on to become members of Potbelly, as well as other groups. Jason and Jeff remain members of Potbelly today. Ben would jam with many other musicians. He opened his home in Langley, Washington, for recording punk bands, including Potbelly.
Bruce went on to drum for Demoni. Oddly, it was was PIG Records’ first psychobilly band. However, Bruce’s history with the label doesn’t end there. Sadly, there was a dark chapter in his life in which he went to prison. During that time, he recruited other musicians in the penitentiary and formed the jailhouse band Killing For Peace. PIG Records released a 7-inch record by the group, titled Whorror of Incarceration.
Lyricist Mary continued to jam with other groups, but eventually decided it was time to get back to the successful band she started as a 15-year-old heartthrob. Shikshadle returned! Between 2014 and 2016, Mary enlisted James Hilkey to record an entirely new Shikshadle album, titled Mary *Shikshadle.
For those unaware, the band’s name is a reference to the Northwest version of the Betty Ford Center. Schick Shadel was an addiction treatment center that opened in 1935. Due to the clinic’s mistreatment of its patients and its use of the Satanic practice of aversion therapy, Schick Shadel closed its doors on June 30th, 2022.
Interestingly, Potbelly’s entire catalog of over 100 releases is on PIG Records! Jason Rodger of Potbelly (a/k/a Jason Potbelly) is the founder of PB Records. Former PIG Records A&R Director, Victor “the Mascara Snake” Hayden (of the Captain Beefheart band) recommended that PIG Records purchase PB Records’ catalog in order to preserve part of Northwest music history. After massive sums of money changed hands, the deal was cemented. Mary Solis appears on a number of the pieces in the catalog.
Less than two weeks prior to his death, Victor approached PIG Records owner David Ulysses Portnow and let him know that he wanted to retire. David asked him to help find a successor. Twenty-four hours later, Victor selected Jason Rodger, who is still the label's A&R Director.
The relationship between PIG Records and these musicians is amazing. The majority of the works in their catalogs are on PIG, showcasing the label's dedication to its musicians and the players’ desires to remain with the label. Their past is showcased on our Bandcamp page.
Wait (what?), there's more . . .
Did anyone think to inquire what happened to Mary and Jason's spawn, Vincent?
He followed in his parents’ footsteps, forming the sensational punk group known today as the Failed Abortions. This band has two full-length recordings on PIG Records, and has injected a bit of youthfulness into the label. The group is doing very well.
And there you have it, the history of Shikshadle and its everlasting legacy on the PIG Records label.
Miss Mary Quite Contrary keeps the history and music of Shikshadle alive! For inquiries on Shikshadle, you may reach out to her at marydawson.images@gmail.com.
