Shame

Shame formed in Brixton, south London in 2014, Charlie Steen, Sean Coyle-Smith, Eddie Green, Josh Finerty, and Charlie Forbes developing a sound rooted in post-punk and indie rock that was immediately raw and energetic. Steen's stage presence was commanding and physically intense, and the band's music combined post-punk energy with a melodic directness that gave them an immediate impact within the contemporary British indie scene.

'Songs of Praise' (2018) was one of the most important and exciting British debut albums of the late 2010s — a record of extraordinary energy and melodic power that earned universal critical acclaim and established them as one of the most vital new British acts. Songs like 'Concrete' and 'The Lick' showed a band of genuine gifts whose combination of post-punk ferocity and melodic intelligence set them apart.

'Drunk Tank Pink' (2021) was equally strong — more experimental but no less vital, earning a Mercury Prize nomination and confirming their status as one of the most important contemporary British acts. Shame continue to record and perform, remaining one of the most exciting live acts in British music. ⚠ Flag: most recent release — verify latest album and current status.