Shame

Ritz, Manchester on 22/11/2018.

The good, the bad and the ugly. Shame; amazing. Warm-up acts; woeful.

The good: Shame could get my grandma lobbing tinnies into a crowd. These blokes have mad and infectious stage presence, and whilst running around stage they kept the playing really tight. Charlie Steen (lead) crowd surfing was a nice touch. The mixing was spot on, crisp, loud enough to consume you without being overbearing or distorting. The lighting worked well too. Played their bangers off SOPs and a few new tracks, one they apparently debuted which sounded decent. Before playing One Rizla they dropped that it was their first ever track, which is either bollocks, or a serious sign of things to come given how young they are. I'll go again for sure. Anyone unsure, go.

The Bad: Warm-up act one. Garage rock band. Drowned out, distorted guitar, their mixing was just off, couldn't hear the female lead's vocals at all. They were unpolished too, taking waaay too long between songs. Not ready between one song, the guitarist literally played one note (not even a chord!) for 45 grating seconds which was so fucking annoying. You gotta get up, get on and get off faster. Go with a bang. From what I barely remember they sounded like they were going for a grungey Weezer sound. Yeah, not great. Songwriting sounded a'ite to be fair, but then again I couldn't really hear anything, played one too many songs. But hey, the drummer was tight and kept it together.

The Ugly: Warm-up act two. What a load of shite. I get that warming up a post-punk band is about being a bit shit and different. But these lot were woeful. They went for shock factor and people fucking lapped it up. Some even cheered and clapped - don't egg 'em on you melons! The lead singer literally cannot sing and tried to hit every note imaginable. Strutting around the stage erratically tearing off his (ze, et, it, or whatever pro-noun) clothes to reveal nothing but leather chaps and a chastity belt. Nah mate, doesn't do it for me. The spandex dome head on keys danced like one of those inflatable waving tubes you see at car dealerships. It wasn't comical, it was cringey.

To me, music is all about expression, and since they were obviously non-binary, pansexual, gender fluid they clearly expressing that they can't be put in a box. Problem is, neither could their music. I mean, what genre is it? Definitely not genre setting. Whatever your art is cool, there aren't enough different people with weird and zaney taste around, but unfortunately, there are just enough to delude this band into thinking they've got something because they've got an audience. They're tripe.

Please check my review:
https://ourtimeisnow.wordpress.com/2018/12/01/shame-nov-30-2018-london-02-forum/

----

our time is now
SHAME | Nov 30 2018 | London – 02 Forum
December 1, 2018 — Leave a comment

Though 5 young men make up Shame – one’s eyes rarely stray from its frenetic frontman, Charlie Steen, at this pulsing London smashfest Charlie rocks a honking shoulder shrug that jerks the beat, a movement that is singular and timeless. Through this constant aerobics Charlie is starting to get the abs of a rock star as he and the lads of “Shame” lose their baby fat.

Even when you could see him flagging, Charlie was laughing. The bewilderment, happiness and sheer joy combined at disbelief at the adoration of the sweaty slamming beast of a crowd. Deep in the pit, a happiness rages – throbbing fore and fro – the fans swaying, and if you go down, a helping hand picks you back up.

I’m reading my notes from the tube home: where my sweat soaked shirt was draped over my shoulders and my knees creaking from the 80 minutes of solid jumping, pushing, hugging, smiles and singing. The only time you could really hear the vocals from stage, were on the new songs; because the crowd didn’t know the words!

The music is where Shame shine. With inspiring refrains enticing you to take … “just one step closer to me!” having the effect you’d expect – as the crowd compresses to the stage

If you listen hard there are hints of Duran Duran and Franz Ferdinand – in the repetitive hits and rollicking choruses. Or, you could reference The Lick’s ~ Ian /Baxter Drury cadences. Though, why bother with references? Simply enjoy the angst determined to “shake me up” (Gil’s Hole) or the moonlight meandering of the album’s psychedelic closer “Angie”.

For all their youth, Shame put forth a sophistication that may not be intentional but can’t be denied. As they stay true to their souls as they figure it out, this group of kids has everything needed to propel itself onto the world stage. Keep an ear out and catch a show if you are lucky – this is a true moment in Rock & Roll.

https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/3A1kutvBmC6czSsSv7aR5E

Blog at WordPress.com.
:)

Last night something special happened in Seattle. Shame brought true British rock performance and a rush of youthful energy on a Tuesday night and made shy, passive Seattlites get down and dirty. The lead vocalist would coax the audience closer, in his deep British accent, telling us not to be afraid. The two guitarist knew how to play together coherently adding mini rifts and solos and play off each other. The whole feeling was reminiscent of Foals, but more energetic and with societal commentary to rival Father John Misty. Can't wait to see where this band goes, and hope they're back in the PNW soon.

Wow! Energy like that could only come from a band where half are not even legal to drink in this country. Big Xs on the hands of some of them are in complete contradiction to their skills. To be in the presence of these excited young men who are in the states for the first time only added to the energy level. “Thank you for coming. We won’t be back for a long time.” said lead singer Charlie Steen. With age and wisdom on my side I beg to differ. They are a rising star in the music world and I think their trajectory will be quick and bring them back stateside before they know it.

What a fantastic evening! Three bands with one thing in common, energy. The lead up to Shame used the diversity of the two supports. Fontaines DC a mix of post punk icons Joy Division and The Fall with HMLTD's electronica Rock and Roll camped up and ably fronted by a Tom Verlaine style voice. Then on came Shame ramping up the energy once again with their anthemic punk. A beautifully crafted set leading to a momentous finale.

Quel show fantastique. Très messianique. Une présence sur scène très forte. Tout les morceaux s'enchaînent et ont un potentiel énorme. L'Aéronef bénéficie également d'une bonne qualité sonore et certainement d'une bonne équipe technique.

Huge energy! Entertaining from start to finish. New songs sounded great, can't wait to hear the recordings. Band is professional and they all seem sensible. Best of luck on the rest of the tour. ......................5/5

Outstanding, sweaty, its definitely not grim up True North. A truly spectacular set (basically a solid hour long mosh pit) from an excellent band. Support band Rascalton out of this world.

he spat in my eye he spat in my eye he spat in my eye he spat in my eye he spat in my eye he spat in my eye he spat in my eye he spat in my eye he spat in my eye he spat in my eye

Hot, sweaty, loud, brilliant! This proud band of south Londoners dominated this north London student enclave. Not so sure about their claim to be a Christian rock band though ;)