This is how it starts. Guitars, anger and braces. Shame are covering themselves in glory one venue at a time. Following a baptism of fire and a UK tour with the Fat White Family, Shame have decided it’s time to meet the public and extend the message. ‘The Lick’ represents an ‘introduction’ single if ever there’s such a thing. It’s not a chorus on loop and you might not hear it on an indie dance floor anytime soon, but it’s absolutely your chance to say ‘I’m in’. The single walks two paths of purpose. The first, a tale of a sexually deprived male who visits a gynecologist far too regularly in an attempt to satisfy his desires. The second is a bare knuckle, square up to safe music and it’s tendency to be “relatable not debatable”. A prominent message within the track. And it’s this message where you make your decision. What is it you crave? Is it a chorus and a ‘hottest record’ or is it something with bite? Something with a message and aspiration? Here’s the track…
Now, this isn’t a move without risk for the South London five piece. It’s not often a band’s first track is so abrasive and inquisitive, but the band are happy to finally be available for judgement…
“Having nothing online was fun for a while but it’s nice to have something to finally show people and we’re glad what we’ve put out is an accurate representation of Shame. The ball is finally rolling and we hope to have more stuff out soon.”
It only takes a ‘follow’ or a ‘like’ on social media to see that this is a band that cares about it’s surroundings and cares about it’s politics. When you feel like this as an individual, we often don’t know where to put these feelings but with Shame, a shared desire provides a perfect musical outlet. A platform to provoke. This platform is something they’re prepared to use…
“We’re very clear and outspoken about our politics as they’re an integral part of Shame and what Shame is. We also enjoy the reactions our live show provokes and how opinion is divided, at the end of the day we don’t really mind whether you leave a Shame gig a fan or not, as long as you were entertained in the process of making your decision.”
In a time where political warfare is rife and rallies are more campaigns of hate, it’s time a band stepped up and backed someone openly. Shame stepped up. An open message to those aboard their boat south of the river, support Sadiq Khan for Mayor of London. Now we cannot apply the success solely to the band but it’s fair to say they’re pleased…
“Not only are we extremely pleased for Sadiq, who happens to be Steen and Sean’s constituency’s MP, we’re collectively extremely proud of London for not falling victim to Zac Goldsmith and the Tories’ vile attempts to paint Sadiq Khan as a terrorist sympathiser etc. It would be nice to see more bands being vocal about their politics, I feel a lot of bands tiptoe around it to avoid offending potential fans which isn’t really what being in a band is for us. Hopefully Sadiq can tackle the ridiculous housing situation young Londoners are facing and maybe save London’s nightlife while he’s at it. Also our Sean made him a cup of tea once so expect to see him down the next Shame show.”
Shame welcomed ‘The Lick’ with a raucous video launch at ‘Off The Cuff’ and it’s there that you’d have found frontman, Steen, seducing the Shame faithful in ‘Vote Khan’ laden Braces and a mobile microphone. ‘The Lick’ is a sign of exciting things to come from a potentially very important band. When talking of the future, we asked who was most likely to be penned to Steen’s braces next?…
“Bernie Sanders and Vin Diesel”
Shame play the So Young 3rd Birthday Party at The Old Blue Last on July 2nd. More info here.