Reckless in Vegas photo courtesy of Jerry Metellus

Reckless in Vegas: Dangerous Riffs Meet Vintage Swagger

BY SAM NOVAK

The first few notes sound vaguely familiar. A single guitar plinking out a melody that you can’t quite place. The baseline kicks in, chords striking an unexpected key. Frontman Michael Shapiro lets loose with the lyrics, and you finally recognize the Frank Sinatra standard. This rendition is edgy, dangerous, and totally entrancing. “Luck Be A Lady” never sounded quite like this…and you know you’re in for one Hell of a show. Welcome to “Reckless In Vegas.”

Numerous cities have produced their own distinctive sounds, from Seattle grunge to Minneapolis funk. Bands from Las Vegas have yielded a broader range, including radio-friendly Imagine Dragons, dance-pop Panic! At The Disco, post-punk The Killers, and heavy metal Five Finger Death Punch. Each is distinctive and totally original. Reckless In Vegas may be the first group from Sin City to meld its golden era with powerhouse beats. It’s the Rat Pack gang on steroids, pushing sexy sophistication to a level-eleven dream.

Michael Shapiro’s genre-bending concept was the result of a trance. Deep in meditation, he received a perfect image of the band’s future. Showgirls, guitars, drums, and the glorious stylings of yesteryear, all integrated into what would become Reckless In Vegas. The year was 2013, and the world has changed a great deal since then. Perhaps it’s finally catching up to Shapiro and his surreal, artistic vision.

Some artists like Prince and Elvis were known to live inside their music. Shapiro follows a similar path. His Las Vegas home was constructed during the same era he idolizes, located in a neighborhood where iconic celebrities once resided. His eye-catching driveway leads to a tall gate, serene courtyard, and two massive doors. Think “Wayne Newton meets Mike Brady.”

Inside, the multi-level home is adorned with vintage photographs, artwork, and memorabilia from decades past. Step down to the sunken living room, and you’ll be tempted to head directly to the bar. Behind it, you’ll see a restored portion of “REEL 21,” a game his grandfather invented in 1961.

The 1968 structure is part of a quiet community southeast of the Strip. It was reportedly owned by an MGM hotel executive for a while. Elvis Presley is rumored to have dined at the home, and why not? Showgirls, mobsters, Robert Goulet, and Engelbert Humperdinck had all resided here in Las Vegas at one time. It was clearly the place to be during the seventies.

As you might expect, the Shapiro family played a significant part in the city’s history. Not only did his grandfather Barney Shapiro create numerous gambling machines, but he also founded United Coin (later United Gaming). During the mid-50s, Barney was a partial owner of the Royal Nevada. The retro-cool hotel-casino stood on a spot later occupied by the Stardust and now Resorts World. Artifacts and awards from his contributions can be spotted throughout Michael’s spectacular home.

Across from an indoor waterfall is a corridor that leads to the home’s most magical space – “Shapitol Studios.” It was here that I got to witness a rehearsal for an upcoming performance. When I arrived, Shapiro was bantering with bandmates Jack E. Roth (drums), Chris Nichols (bass, vocals), and his wife Roni Meron (vocals).

As they prepped their equipment, it was obvious that the four entertainers had spent many years together. Their conversation ricocheted through religion, war, gas prices, gay rights, and even vegan food. Ever the wise guy, Shapiro added, “Yeah, it goes great with a crack pipe.” The resulting laughter signaled that the band had entered “rockstar mode,” and the world’s problems were about to fade away.

Ripping through “Luck Be A Lady,” the crew pushed forward with modern-rock interpretations of classics by Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Tom Jones, and even Sonny and Cher. Mob-centric films like “The Godfather” and “Goodfellas” get the “Reckless” treatment, as does Elvis himself. The soundscape is unlike anything you’ve ever heard. Who would have the audacity to blend Sammy Davis Jr’s “Mr. Bojangles” with influences from Led Zepplin and Jimi Hendrix?

“The songs and artists from that era were so incredibly special that it was of the utmost importance to pay homage to original versions, yet make them our own,” says Shapiro. “I guess one might say we’re a tribute to an era, but somehow, someway, we’ve managed to bring it current and make it our own,” he adds. In other words, reinvigorated, reinvented, and totally reckless.

When they were eleven years old and growing up in Las Vegas, Shapiro and his drummer pal Jack Roth weren’t worried about the consequences of being reckless. Their only concern was how to get inside the auditorium of what is now known as Westgate Resort. Back then, it was the Las Vegas Hilton and home to Elvis Presley’s record-breaking fifty-eight consecutive sold-out shows.

The two boys headed toward the massive hotel and parked their bicycles at the valet. Sneaking into the venue, they looked across the empty theater from that same iconic stage where The King had once played. Filled with awe, their young minds envisioned musical stardom. Had the buddies been apprehended, chances are that their parents would have cut them some slack. After all, future rockers are rebellious by nature.

Reckless in Vegas photo courtesy of Jerry Metellus

Michael credits his father, Lenny, for fostering an interest in show business. The elder Shapiro was also involved in the gaming industry and operated two popular Las Vegas bars during the nineties. “I really owe him for my love of music. He was my idol and took me to many concerts in the ’70s and ’80s. Santana was my first in 1976. I believe that actually was the beginning of my dream.”

Ohio native Chris Nichols was an early participant in that vision, too. Shapiro created the band “TRIP” during the nineties and recruited Nichols to be a member. Together, they released a number of albums and joined the “VH1 Rocks Across America Tour”, where they opened for major names like Cheap Trick, The Romantics, and Duncan Sheik.

Now, the longtime friends have regrouped and added Nichols’ wife Roni to the roster. Shapiro’s wife JoLae Brandt-Shapiro choreographs their appearances and performs with dancers who add spice and class to the proceedings. A little older, a lot wiser, and eager to make Vegas classy-cool again, Reckless In Vegas blankets the Valley’s music hotspots with eye-opening arrangements created by producer Dan Shea (Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Santana).

Initially a part of the band’s early efforts, Shea returned to develop the “Reckless” sound and style aligned with Michael’s vision. “He’s my partner, and without him, we would not be where we are today.”

Reckless in Vegas photo courtesy of Bobby Black

Since its launch, the band has partnered with a variety of charities, sharing a significant portion of sales to benefit foundations like St. Jude’s Ranch. Sponsors have come aboard, donating money for each ticket sold. Most recently, Shapiro has offered his time and talent to NOTORIETY GIVES, a foundation that immerses at-risk children in the magic and benefits of artistic expression.

Now that the crippling effects of the pandemic have begun to wane, Reckless In Vegas is adding dates in venues as varied as The Space and Italian American Club on the east side. They’ve also been securing a residency inside a historic Strip hotel. Smart money would be on Sahara for a summer debut.

Ultimately, Shapiro and his team are just excited for the opportunity to bring joy and live music once again to a suffering world. “It’s easy to slip into a news cycle and get depressed about life. But if we look inward, we’ll find the things we’re grateful for and how blessed we are. Rock on!”