The Milkstains members cover “Shake it Off” and it is gross and awesome

by | Apr 20, 2015 | MUSIC

Maybe it’s Gabe Lozpez’s belly, or John Sizemore’s beard – but this cover of Taylor Swift’s “Shake it Off” is what I’m going to start sending people when they ask what the music scene in RVA is like.

Maybe it’s Gabe Lozpez’s belly, or John Sizemore’s beard – but this cover of Taylor Swift’s “Shake it Off” is what I’m going to start sending people when they ask what the music scene in RVA is like.

Lopez and Sizemore are members of the hybrid surf/garage/grunge/punk band The Milkstains who have been wrecking house shows and venues around town for more than a decade.

Sure, the quality of the video below is someplace between potato and toilet, and Lopez (drums) doesn’t really seem to know the words after the first verse… or line, but man this video is a lot of fun.

“It’s a tight song!” said Lopez after we asked if we could share the video below. “[We] Just wanted to mess around with it, but didn’t feel like learning the words.”

Mission accomplished.

Check out The Milkstain’s covering “Shake if Off” live from their basement practice space below, and keep up with the me via Facebook:

Brad Kutner

Brad Kutner

Brad Kutner is the former editor of GayRVA and RVAMag from 2013 - 2017. He’s now the Richmond Bureau Chief for Radio IQ, a state-wide NPR outlet based in Roanoke. You can reach him at BradKutnerNPR@gmail.com




more in music

Stay Hungry pt. 1 | Band on the Road

Editor's Note: Writer's Block is a space for Virginia writers to share personal essays, fiction, memoir, and works that fall somewhere in between. In Stay Hungry, Richmond local Eric Kalata looks back on a cross-country tour and the restless optimism of...

RVA Live Music | WiFiGawd, Hot Mulligan, Heavy Friends & More

Starting the summer with some big shows. Kanawha Plaza is looking like the spot to be this season, but there is still plenty happening in the clubs around town this week. Lastly, Happy Pride! I'd love to feature as many LGBTQ+ artists as possible this month, so if...

‘Songs of Truth’ Brings Sojourner Truth to the Hippodrome

Editor's Note: For more on the life and legacy of Sojourner Truth, read Christian Detres' companion essay HERE. This has been an inspirational season for Richmond’s homegrown theatre. We are following up the sold-out run of Witchduck with the mid-project musical...

“The Game Is the Game” Reppa Ton Drops New Album

Editor’s Note: This piece was developed from an extended conversation between Reppa Ton and Chauncey “Chance Fischer” Jenkins. The new album drops tonight at midnight HERE. Sitting outside at Common House talking through Memento Vivere when the conversation drifts...

The BIG Richmond Summer Music Field Guide 2026

Trying to put together a list of shows in Richmond these days is becoming a pretty hard thing to do. The city has gotten really busy, but at least it’s not boring. There are more shows, festivals, DJ nights, and random Tuesday concerts happening in the River City than...