In 2021, Bowling Green resident Cassidy Pfefferkorn decided to form an indie-rock group known as The Shanks. Pfefferkorn is the lead vocalist and bassist for the group. She is accompanied by drummer Bobbi McQuillar, guitarist Greyson Circelli, and lead guitarist Noah Newhouse.
The Shanks invited the Talisman to join them on the road to perform at the Kinda Spoopy Music Festival in Adams, Tennessee, on Oct. 3, where they opened as headliners.
3:30 p.m.
With Cassidy and the band’s equipment in her car, McQuillar, Circelli, and Circelli’s girlfriend Mollie Thompson in Circelli’s car, and Newhouse with his sister Ciera in his car, the band set off for the Kinda Spoopy Music Festival.
Amid the clatter of snare drums in the trunk of the car, Pfefferkorn told stories of how she met some of the members of the band.
“I met Bobbi around five years ago, and they have kinda been with me since the beginning,” Pfefferkorn said. “Our first gig was at Mellow Matt’s, my dad’s record store, and Bobbi was there helping us set up.”
When the original bassist dropped out, Pfefferkorn said that McQuillar showed interest in playing the bass, but then decided to play drums.
“Bobbi had said that they had experience playing the drums in church, but I later figured out on a podcast we were on that the experience was a lie,” Pfefferkorn said. “So, our drummer had no drumming experience prior to being in the band.”
Pfefferkorn said she also met the newest member, rhythm guitarist Circelli through her father’s store, Mellow Matt’s.
“Greyson and I met through my dad’s store because he would shop there a lot,” Pfefferkorn said. “Then we just became good friends through Instagram.”
Pfefferkorn said Circelli became a part of the band when he answered a request Pfefferkorn had posted on Instagram for a new rhythm guitarist.
“Greyson joined us after I made a post asking if anyone could play and luckily Greyson answered,” Pfefferkorn said. “He has brought a lot of cool aspects into the band and given us a more metal music vibe than ever before and we hope he stays with us.”
Lead guitarist Newhouse met Pfefferkorn during her studies at the University of Louisville Pfefferkorn said.
“I wanted to follow people in the music scene up there and I encountered Noah who is in a band there,,” Pfefferkorn said. “So I think it is just temporary, but I would love for him to join us full-time.”
Pfefferkorn said that Newhouse has helped the band a few times and she is grateful for them.
“Our last lead guitarist dropped out last minute,” Pfefferkorn said. “I was telling Noah about it and he said ‘Send me what you want to play and I’ll have it learned so I can play with you.’”
5:00 p.m.
After an hour and a half drive and a few minutes of getting lost, everyone arrived at the Kinda Spoopy Music Festival venue safely.
Since the event was a Halloween-themed festival, bands were encouraged to dress up for their sets.
As they were dressing up for the show, the band greeted each other with hugs and unloaded their equipment.
Before soundcheck, Pefferkorn, Circelli’s girlfriend, Mollie Thompson, and Newhouse’s sister, Ciera, prepared McQuillar for their costume as Allan Red from Smiling Friends. This process required painting McQuillar’s entire body a solid shade of red and wearing a blue necktie.
5:30 p.m.
The band started their soundcheck while Thompson and Cierra Newhouse set up the fog machines. Each band member played separately so sound tech was able to find the perfect volume for the audience to hear and enjoy. The band played one of their original songs, “Stuff Your Mouth,” before scurrying off stage to continue their looks for that night’s performance.
6:00 p.m.
An hour before showtime, Pfefferkorn and Circelli began the process of putting on makeup and costumes.
Pfefferkorn applied white makeup and blue eyeshadow as she was dressing up for her costume as Chappell Roan. She referred to this process as the “Chappell Roanification of Cassidy.” Her entire costuming process took place in her car, including putting on the signature Chappell Roan hot pink cocktail dress.
Thompson helped Circelli with his hair and the mask he wore to portray the indie video game character Sally Face. During this time, Circelli and Thompson also had to help McQuillar with their tie for their Allan costume.
7:00 p.m.
The Shanks took the stage performing, “Stuff Your Mouth,” followed by a cover of Green Day’s song, “Brain Stew.” Pfefferkorn said this song was a special cover for the Halloween season. In the middle of the set, Circelli performed a cover of the Misfits’ 1997 Halloween song “Dig Up Her Bones.”
7:30 p.m.
The Shanks closed the set with their anthem which concerns the current political climate. The song was written by Pfefferkorn and titled “Theodore Cruz.” This song was the closer and was met with thunderous applause and whistles from the enthusiastic crowd.
7:45 p.m.
Following their performance, the band loaded their equipment back into their respective cars. Then, started settling in and enjoying the next act titled Miss Lonely and food from the Shogun food truck.
The Shanks signed posters for audience members who wanted concert memorabilia. Following this, most of the band members all loaded in their respective cars and made the trek back to Kentucky.
9:00 p.m.
Pfefferkorn loaded the equipment back into her car and made her way back home on the black night. The drive home was quiet and calm after a night filled with fun.
“I am glad and fortunate that I get to perform with these people,” Pfefferkorn said, “I get to be in a band with people I love and who are some of my closest friends, how cool is that?”