Shame is a five-piece post-punk band based in London with an aggressive and loud sound that is closer in tone to a band like IDLES, as opposed to the more detached or pop-oriented branches off of the post-punk tree. A manic as they may sound, they are typically well-restrained and do not go full throttle in every song. In fact, there are some calmer, more wistful moments in their albums every now and then. Singer Charlie Steen, who can normally pack a lot of passionate screams into a song, also has a lower gear. The guitars sometimes tap into Gang of Four type jangle, though often with considerably more distortion. The rhythm section is plenty reliable and they play more like an indie rock band, with an oomph but also with some subtlety (respecting the ghost notes). The songs are usually on the energetic side, but there are a few that work a cool swagger.