The Dirty Shirts “In The Get Up From The Get Go”

Today we are talking about the debut album from the band The Dirty Shirts entitled “In The Get Up From The Get Go”

The band is self described as Dance Floor Rock and Roll and their debut album is designed to get your spirits up and make you move. It is a classic example of don’t bore us, get to the chorus rock and roll. So much so that it feels as though the band set out to make ten separate monster singles and realized at the end that they had accidentally made a full album with a cohesive theme.

This album reminds us of a time, not so long ago, when problems seemed fewer and somewhat easier to solve. I mean, the problems were always there but, we were much better at ignoring them. Regardless of the issue, you could typically solve it with a few simple tools. Good drinks and/or drugs, good music, good friends and maybe someone to love, whether it be for an evening or a lifetime.  

It’s basically following the same problem solving flowchart that the movie Footloose used in which all problems can always be solved using music and dance. 

This theme becomes more clear once you read the band’s bio and learn that it was birthed during the frustration and boredom of the pandemic. With a true half glass full mentality, founder of the band Nick Santa Maria suddenly had the creative time he needed to explore his personal songwriting after years of performing in other bands as a gigging guitarist. 

Right out of the gate, the opening track “Please Me” lays down this foundation with pop beats, fuzzed out bass, and a guitar tone that shimmers and sparkles as much as lead singer Nick Santa Maria’s glam rock fashion. Through catchy anthem-esque analogies, the song recounts the frustrations that come with stagnation, boredom and confusion, and the longing to rise above all of these feelings. 

For me, the second track Tokyo is a take it or leave it track. I can see how this song would be extremely fun live and one could argue that it is the “fall” in the necessary rise and fall of an album but, I don’t think this album needs this dramatic of a slow down this soon, or a fall at all for that matter. 

I could see Tokyo being removed completely or put on a different album without affecting the overall theme from “In The Get Up From The Get Go”. 

Maybe even just a stand alone single? Oooo, or a limited edition 7” vinyl! This is the digital age, so maybe it’s only available to the band’s top tier exclusive subscription only members. Like a pay to play thing for the devoted fans. 

Wait, if they’re devoted then they should be rewarded with free music. Why are they paying extra if they already love the band? I always thought I was cool. Am I actually just the same as the money hungry capitalist that I despise? Fuck, I’m rambling, nm. 

Yikes, what a jerk. The tone of this review just plunged as low as the neckline on Nick’s unbuttoned sequins shirt. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good song, and it is far from being a filler throw away track. It just feels a little out of place with the rest of the album for my personal taste. 

Now I’m considered raw and real because I “tell it like it is” sometimes. 

Am I wrong? Roast me in the comments. 

Nick, feel free to give me an earful next time we cross paths but, be warned. I’ll only be enchanted by your style and charisma while you’re berating me. The truth is, I feel emasculated and insecure because your amazing mane of shampoo commercial worthy hair is so much better than mine so I’m lashing out. Childish? Yes. A point that made a meaningful contribution to this review? Debatable. 

Instead, I would argue that the songs “Detonator” and “Gin and Tonic” provide all of the necessary slowdown for this album. Both songs have mellow disco dance grooves that slightly bring down the tempo without bringing down the energy. 

They will no doubt inspire listeners to unconsciously walk to the center of a dance floor, their living room or maybe just their office cubicle to sort out their issues through the form of solo (possibly interpretive) dance. Perhaps under the influence of a gin and tonic? …I know, I’m sorry. I hate me to. 

At this point in the album, lead singer Nick Santa Maria has started to showcase his vocal range in the form of subtle, intimate and sultry verses that lead us to mesmerizing falsetto chorus’ that had me singing as loud as possible with full confidence while driving alone in my car. 

At least until I pulled up to a stoplight and calmly rolled my windows up and started humming more than singing because let’s face it, the folks at the bus stop shouldn’t have to listen to my singing just because they suffer through public transportation. 

Ok, so now we’ve been vibing and dancing long enough that we’ve sorted out our issues (or at least forgot about them) enough to acknowledge that hey, maybe shit isn’t as bad as we thought it was. Maybe the Footloose problem solving flowchart really is the only way to get through life. 

Cue the next track “I want it all” and prepare yourself for the joy that is a screaming lead synth and a funky guitar track. A personal favorite part of this song is the choppy bass line in the pre-chorus. 

When I hear it, I look around to make sure no one is watching and I mimic the high strung air bass guitar playing made famous by Paul Rudd in the movie “I Love You, Man”.

So what’s next? Now, my wife gets to ask me why I’m bobbing my head with a weird scowl on my face. “Are you ok? Are you having tummy troubles?” She asks. 

No babe, I’ve got a four on the floor rock and roll drum beat courtesy of the song “Shake” and it’s triggering a visceral and unflattering response. I’m now biting my lip in the least seductive way possible. 

If you’ve made it this far in the album then there are only a few different versions of what’s happening to you as a listener. 

If you’re young, hip and cool (you wouldn’t use the phrase young, hip and cool) then you are confident, care free and enjoying life to the fullest. You have succumbed to the fantastic music on this album and life is great. 

You don’t know what Footloose is because you were born in the 2000’s but, you still managed to use this music to distract you from the fact that you’ll never be able to afford a home. 

The last three tracks “Take It”, “Ready or Not” and “Bombs on the Bridge” carry your amazing night to the next party which is no doubt about to be an epic story that you tell to your future children when you try to prove to them that you were once in fact, really fucking cool. 

The other more likely outcome is that you’re like me and you’re closing your tab at the bar because your feet hurt and you want to be able to leave as soon as the last song is finished. You wore those converse that you used to wear all the time and remembered that you stopped wearing them because they cause your planter fasciitis to act up. 

You don’t want to leave the concert early (yes, we went from listening to the album to watching the album be performed live at a show. Try and keep up.) because you got a baby sitter and you’re not going to let a little pain ruin your one night out this month. 

No, you’re going to awkwardly, and insecurely, dance through the pain so that you can tell your co-workers on Monday that you still do cool things on the weekend. 

Because of that one song, you ordered Gin and Tonics all night even though you’ve never really liked Gin and you’re still pretty hungover because hangovers now last for roughly a week.

Then, while you’re heating up your lunch in the break room, that annoying guy Greg asks you why you’re limping. You unbutton your shirt down to your belt but leave it tucked in. You put on the yellow gas station aviators that you bought on your last road trip because they help knock down the glare from the oncoming cars headlights when you drive at night. 

You look Greg right in his face and say “because I’m In The Get Up From The Get Go, motherfucker”. 

Greg reports you to HR for the language and the inappropriate work attire and you lose your job but, you’re not worried. You break out the Footloose flowchart once again and continue living your new best life. 

All of this was only possible because The Dirty Shirts made a fantastic debut album. 

-Travis Wright

Host of the “I’m a fan of…” Podcast