Down Dirty Shake

Down Dirty Shake is a rock and roll band based out of San Francisco. The group seamlessly blends the sounds of Latin, psych, soul, pop, and garage rock.


Founded by AJ Ayez (vocals, keys), Kyle DeMartini (guitar, vocals), and Aaron Grimes (drums, vocals), while the three were high school classmates in Merced, CA, the years since they first began jamming together have seen the band's style and vision mature alongside its members. While staying true to the love of '60's blues and psychedelia that initially drew them together, they began incorporating influences from Motown, world music, Krautrock, and more.


From humble beginnings, the band firmly entrenched themselves in the Bay Area music scene--hosting a yearly residency in SF's iconic Haight-Ashbury district, and playing prestigious venues and festivals in both the City and throughout Sonoma County. With the recent addition of Tommy Anderson (bass), the band's lineup was complete, and they began work on their fist full-length release.


The resulting self-titled album could be described as Santana performing with The Doors in a Desert Rock fever dream. Dynamic percussion, ripping guitars, complex bass lines, dreamy pedal work, poetic lyrics, and the sultry vocals of AJ Ayez combine to give the listener a feeling of something nostalgic and familiar yet unique and original. The record also features guest performances by Sonny Pearce (percussion) and Celeste Obomsawin (vocals).