Shameless are a trio from Soweto, South Africa, where they are one of a small but growing number of rock/alternative bands. Their music is influenced by the music they grew up with, they have dubbed their sound Nkabi Rock / I Rock Yase Kasi (Assassin Rock / Rock from The Township, in isiZulu).
They describe their sound as “an extension of rock” which fuses metal, blues, kwaito, mbaqanga, isigxaxa and a smattering of jazz. On the 27th of September they will release the second single from their upcoming album “Nkabi Rock” (to be officially announced soon).
Their new single “Nakhu Ses’Fika” begins with a marching pattern on the snare & kick, broken by a short fill and the entrance of the thundering bass & distorted guitar – it sits somewhere between doom & punk. The driving riffs are broken from time to time by clever little melodic pieces that the whole band play together and which give the listener a second to catch their breath before diving in again.
The opening lines “Nakhu Ses’Fika Kau, Siyajika Lento Kau” (which mean “we’ve arrived and are going to change things/turn them on their head”). In some ways this sentiment is an introduction to Shameless, a warning to anyone not paying attention, they’re coming in hot.
Stream / Buy “Nakhu Ses’Fika” HERE
As with most other Shameless songs, the band focussed on the music first, jamming through various versions of the song to find the sweet spot, letting the lyrics flow naturally. This laid back approach to writing demonstrates how comfortable and confident the band is with their creative voice and message.
According to his to lead singer and guitarist, Musa “We didn’t form the band, the band formed itself and we just keep following the sound of Nkabi & Kasi Rock”. Fiercely proud of being South African Rock adds “We’re keeping it at home and making everyone in South Africa feel proud to be South African.“
“We didn’t form the band, the band formed itself and we just keep following the sound of Nkabi & Kasi Rock”
“Nakhu Ses’Fika” was recorded with & produced by long-term collaborator Hugh Davison with the sessions filmed by Discovr TV. The session was quick and easy, according to Thabang “The Recording was flawless because it was a properly planned session which is rare for us, we were finally recording our album and it felt like a dream because during COVID we all thought we would die in the Kasi”
The band have a strong desire to be heard, not just their sound but their message too. They want to show the world that Africa can and does make fresh ‘western-styled’ music in an original & unique way. Musa adds “We are at a point where we want to distribute our music to the world, tell people our stories and let them understand where we actually come from.”
Follow Shameless Band online:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShamelessBandSA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shamelessbandsa/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@shamelessbandsouthafrica6609
