Luca has been playing guitar from a young age and left the UK in 2006 for his native home in Sydney, Australia to study performance and production at the Australian international conservatorium of music. Since completing his degree he has worked in several bands and worked as a session player for various projects both local and international. Luca also writes his own material as part of a songwriting duo ‘O Frontier’ with debut material soon to be released later in 2024.

Luca started 5 Dollar Shake with James so they could adapt arrangements of their favourite tunes and play them live. Luca is constantly listening to blues, jazz and country and 5DS is the perfect outlet to express his musicality.

James first picked up a guitar at around 6 years old, encouraged by his dad, Paul, who also played and was a big influence on on James’ interest in finger picking, which was amazing to behold at such a young age. After many years of school guitar lessons, James eventually got his first electric guitar and practice amp. Many of his teenage years where spent trying to emulate his guitar heroes, in bands like Extreme, Metallica, Guns ’n’ Roses, literally spending hours learning a the solos and intricacies much to his parents, and neighbours despair.

James’s first band was mostly like minded mates playing songs they all loved from metal, rock and grunge, just enjoying the experience and joy of playing with others.

James eventually joined an established gigging band called “Five Go Mad” (later renamed to “Prankster”) playing clubs, pubs, bars and some big corporate events thanks to the contacts of their lead singer. The group briefly delved into writing originals but disbanded shortly afterwards. Five Dollar Shake was born out of a long hiatus and desire to get back playing live music with like minded folk.

Jackie has been singing locally with a variety of bands for around 13 years. She's covered mostly Jazz, Blues and Soul, but after joining Five Dollar Shake has branched out into some other genres, which includes a new found love for Country music.

Jackie has an affliction called "vocalisation enabled percussion inhibition", which is loosely defined as an inability to sing and hit things to a rhythm at the same time. She is undergoing reluctant, yet rigorous training by the eternally patient Luca.

Starting his studies with one to one tuition, drumming quickly became a part of Russell’s everyday life. Studying from the Guildhall school of music and drama graded books, he took his drumming exams through the Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music gaining Distinction.

Whilst at school this led Russell to play with several bands and perform drums and percussion for schools plays and musicals including Bugsy Malone. With Influences from Stewart Copeland, The Police and Dave Grohl, Nirvana, Russells drumming vocabulary expanded leading him to become a competent rock drummer.

After finishing school Russell Studied at the Academy of Contemporary Music, Guildford where he completed a Higher diploma in popular music practice, specialising in drums.

He subsequently went on to play with a professional band, recording and releasing two separate albums and EP. During his time with the band he performed at large music festivals, arenas, clubs and pubs, including Phoenix Arts Centre, Hastings, The Dublin Castle, Camden.The Star, Guildford, Guilfest, Guildford and The Hope And Anchor, Islington,
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Russell has recently finished studying at the Academy of Contemporary music for his BA (Hons) degree in Music Industry Practice (Drums). Completeing with a 2:1 BA(Hons)