Can’t Shake It (Live 1979)

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning the wild vibes of "Can’t Shake It (Live 1979)" by Angel City from their album This Is It Folks,,, Over The Top for all the Zoo Freaks out there. This track, a raw and rollicking live cut, captures the band’s electrifying energy, with its gritty guitar riffs and infectious rhythm that practically dare you to sit still. According to a 1980 interview in Rock Scene magazine, the song was recorded during a sweaty, sold-out show in Melbourne, where the crowd’s chants were so loud they nearly drowned out the band. Lead singer Doc Neeson later said, “That night, the audience was like a fifth member of the band—we just fed off their madness.” The song’s relentless groove, paired with Neeson’s howling vocals, made it a fan favorite, often cited on X by longtime fans as the ultimate anthem for shaking off life’s troubles.

Digging into the song’s trivia, a post on the Angel City Freaks Facebook group shared a story from a roadie who worked the 1979 tour. Apparently, the band improvised a chunk of “Can’t Shake It” mid-performance when a power surge briefly cut the stage lights, turning the glitch into a legendary jam session that stretched the song to nearly ten minutes. Fans on Instagram have also noted that the live version’s raw edge came from the band’s insistence on minimal overdubs, a choice that preserved the chaotic spirit of their shows. A user on X recently unearthed a rare bootleg photo from that 1979 gig, showing Neeson leaping into the crowd, mic in hand, as the Zoo Freaks went wild. These stories paint a picture of a band that thrived on the unpredictable thrill of live rock ‘n’ roll.

Angel City, originally formed as The Angels in Adelaide, Australia, in 1974, got their start when brothers Rick and John Brewster, armed with a shared love for AC/DC’s raw power and The Rolling Stones’ swagger, began jamming in local pubs. According to their bio on Facebook, the band’s early days were spent playing gritty covers of Chuck Berry and The Who, but they quickly carved out their own sound with Neeson’s theatrical vocals and the Brewsters’ blistering guitar work. By 1976, they’d caught the eye of Alberts Music, the label behind AC/DC, and their debut album, The Angels, dropped in 1977, blending punk’s snarl with hard rock’s muscle. Their relentless touring, often playing dive bars and festivals, built a cult following, especially among the Zoo Freaks who still swap stories on angelcityfans.net.

The band’s rise wasn’t without hiccups. A 1978 profile on angelcityfans.net recounts how they nearly split after a grueling tour left them broke and exhausted, but Neeson’s larger-than-life charisma and the Brewsters’ songwriting grit kept them going. Their breakthrough came with 1979’s Face to Face, which went platinum in Australia, paving the way for This Is It Folks,,, Over The Top. Today, Angel City remains active, with their official Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts buzzing with tour updates and throwback photos. Fans can also connect on the Angel City Freaks Facebook group or dive into archives at angelcityfans.net, where the Zoo Freaks keep the band’s legacy alive.