The Shang Hi Los dial up a lively power-pop connection with ‘Op-Operator’
The Boston rock and roll band hit the record store for a new single out March 8 via Rum Bar Records, with the music video debuting March 20
The Shang Hi Los play Faces in Malden with Diablogato and Hammered Saint on April 5
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Photo Credit: Joan Hathaway
BOSTON, Mass. [March 20, 2024] -- It’s a tale as old as time: Boy meets girl, boy gets girl’s number, and boy calls girl – but things ultimately don’t go as planned. That’s at the connective core of The Shang Hi Los’ infectious new single “Op-Operator,” hitting the streams on Friday, March 8 via Rum Bar Records before the Joan Hathaway-directed music video takes the Boston rock and roll and power-pop band deep into one of the city’s most beloved record stores on March 20.
Marking The Shang Hi Los first dedicated dose of new music since last year’s debut album Aces Eights & Heartbreaks, the glossy and hook-laden “Op-Operator” showcases what the supergroup does best – linking up the retro-pop melodic cool of yesterday with a super polished and modernized sound narrated by our vulnerable human impulses. And here, it’s all about looking for love amongst stacks of vinyl – and finding something else entirely after that first connection is made.
“A chance meeting in a record store turns into a telephonic love affair – or so it seems,” says co-vocalist, co-guitarist Dan Kopko. “Unfortunately for our protagonist, he soon finds it is a one-way connection and he is but one of many gentlemen callers!”
Listeners around New England have been phoning up The Shang Hi Los since their inception a few years ago. “Op-Operator” is the first in a series of forthcoming new singles and videos, all released by Rum Bar Records, further showcasing the band’s solidified 2024 lineup of Kopko (Watts, The Peppermint Kicks); co-vocalist and co-guitarist Jen D'Angora (Jenny Dee & The Deelinquents, The Dents); bassist Lee Harrington (The Neighborhoods); drummer Chuck Ferreira (Eddie Japan); and guitarist Chad Raleigh (The Rationales).
“This is the sound and feeling that is fundamental to the band – upbeat, hooky, rich with layers of harmonies and guitars, and solid backbeat,” says D’Angora, who describes “Op-Operator” as “an instant mood booster” with its March release “timed perfectly for escaping the doldrums of winter.” Adds Kopko: “It's been almost a year since our last release, so yeah, we are so ready to push some fresh music out there, like lilies from the frozen ground.”
That frozen ground led Hathaway and The Shang Hi Los to a pair of trusted filming locations for the “Op-Operator” video: Chris Anzalone’s renowned Stereo Jack's Records in Somerville (“The band were all like little kids in a giant candy store; very inspiring to be among all those classic LPs while shooting,” says Kopko) and the familiar basement dwellings of local music scene champion and photographer Nicole Tammaro (“without a doubt the biggest supporter of Boston rock and roll there ever was or will be,” he adds).
The quirky storyline that comes to life in “Op-Operator” across its nearly three minutes of chewy, crunchy power-pop goodness plays out in kaleidoscopic color in the music video, where the band act out the scenes – and throw down a live performance. D’Angora praised Hathaway for being “so much fun to work with, and she’s got great ideas – luckily, we’re all a bunch of hams, so it was easy and a wicked good time.”
Kopko echoed the feel-good sentiment, and equated the video shoot to “like being in The Monkees for a day!” The energy leaps off the screen as easily as The Shang Hi Los’ melodies leap from the speakers, and the visual is filled with Easter eggs to Boston music spanning decades.
But the central theme behind the video is fairly relatable – especially for those who once found love standing behind a counter surrounded by music.
“Jen is working in a record store,” D’Angora relays, “and Dan notices her in a ‘Hey baby, how YOU doin’ kinda way.’ He buys a record (Al Green!), and to his delightful surprise, Jen gives him her phone number. Little does he know, she gives her number out to ALL the guys. What a hussy! When he gets home he tries to call her, but she doesn’t take his calls. Jen sucks!”
It’s just another tale from the lonely aisles of the local record shop. And knowing how this rock and roll courtship ends simply comes down to whom you ask. “The video is the PG-13 version of the story the lyrics convey!” Kopko adds with a laugh. “She takes his calls. We’ll leave it at that.”
Of course, that doesn’t mean Kopko won’t take his shot again – either in the record store, or anywhere else. But the band may have other ideas. “Based on the lyrics,” quips D’Angora, “I’m not so sure he should be left alone with a phone!”
Media Contact: Please direct press inquiries to Michael Marotta at michael@knyvet.com,
radio inquiries to Lou Mansdorf at malibuloupr@gmail.com, and reach The Shang Hi Los at theshanghilos@gmail.com.
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The Shang Hi Los are:
Dan Kopko: Vocals, guitars
Jen D’Angora: Vocals, guitars
Lee Harrington: Bass, vocals
Chuck Ferreira: Drums
Chad Raleigh: Guitars
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‘Op-Operator’ single artwork:
Photo and design credit: Danny The K (with an AI-assist)
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‘Op-Operator’ production credits:
Written by Dan Kopko and Jen D’Angora
Produced, mixed, and mastered by Danny The K
Drums recorded at Mad Oak Studios by Benny Grotto
Everything else recorded by Danny The K and The Magic Suitcase
Video directed and shot by Joan Hathaway
Special thanks to Nicole Tammaro and Chris Anzalone (Stereo Jack’s Records) for use of the venues!
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The Shang Hi Los short bio:
The Shang Hi Los are your favorite band out of Boston, featuring Jen D'Angora (Jenny Dee & The Deelinquents, The Dents), Dan Kopko (Watts, The Peppermint Kicks), Lee Harrington (The Neighborhoods), Chuck Ferreira (Eddie Japan) and Chad Raleigh (the Rationales). The Shangs signed to Rum Bar Records in 2020 and released their debut single and video, “Sway Little Player,” in October 2020, which was quickly deemed the “Coolest Song in the World” by Little Steven's Underground Garage on SiriusXM. They've since released the Kick It Like A Wicked Bad Habit EP in 2021, followed by 2023 debut album Aces Eights & Heartbreaks, which spawned the singles “Plymouth Rock” and “Billy,” the latter of which was also dubbed the “Coolest Song in the World.” The Shang Hi Los answer the call with new single “Op-Operator,” out March 2024 on Rum Bar Records.
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Media praise for The Shang Hi Los:
“[‘Plymouth Rock’] is still an electrifying jolt of rock 'n' roll, a blissfully affectionate reminiscence of teenage rebellion and disaffection… It's a catchy and invigorating song that just makes you want to keep throwing quarters in the jukebox, the way a rock song should.” _Worcester Magazine
“There’s a lot to love about the Shang Hi Los.” _Boston Herald
“[‘Sway Little Player’] is the catchiest ditty ever. It’s a three chord ‘50s or early ‘60s throwback style. The video is shot in black and white and has American Bandstand in the background ... That’s the spirit the song evokes and they pull it off perfectly. We’ll keep that song on replay for sure when we get hold of it.” _Boston Groupie News
“While the influences for [Aces Eights & Heartbreaks] vary from garage rock to new wave to punk rock to power pop to spaghetti Westerns, what comes through here is that The Shang Hi Los are above all else a great rock and roll band. And the world can always use more great rock and roll bands. This record has got it all: killer riffs, magnificent vocals, radio-worthy choruses, awesome guitar solos, epic drumming, massive production, and melodies that will stick with you. The Shangs are the rare all-star group that's even more than the sum of its parts.” _Faster And Louder
“The first groovy sonic cocktail offered up by the quartet is ‘Sway Little Player’, a boy/girl call-back retro-pop jam recorded over our just-completed quarantine summer. …and we know this will sound twice as nice spinning atop your trusty record player at home.” _Vanyaland
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Press Contact: Michael Marotta at michael@knyvet.com
Radio Contact: Lou Mansdorf at malibuloupr@gmail.com
Band Contact: Dan Kopko at theshanghilos@gmail.com
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