There is an unbelievable futility to the phrase “punk’s not dead.” When you see Shame live, it’s hard to imagine anyone insinuating punk’s potential mortality. One needs only witness frontman Charlie Steen’s quirked-up stage presence – rife with Curtis-ian girations, gradual clothing removals, 

Currently touring off their third full-length album Food For Worms, which came out earlier this year via Dead Oceans, Shame swung by Cambridge’s Sinclair two weeks back with help from New Yorkers Been Stellar. The opener delivered a solid set,, their mid-90s shoegaze and Britpop influence offering some nice diversity when compared with the headliner’s distinctly UK indie punk sleaze. They’ll definitely be a band that’s interesting to watch grow over the years and develop their sound. 

When Shame took over, the room had filled up to a comfortable level. We were cozy, burt hardly packed in like sardines. The age range of Shame fans is hard to pin down: they seem just as appealing to college ages as they do to Dad rockers who find a link between Shame and the early-to-mid 2000s UK rock (The Cribs, early Arctic Monkeys, etc.) that they listened to when they themselves were college aged. Whatever their ages, the crowd that showed up was ready to open up the friggin’ pit. 

Normally, I’m right there in the middle of the pit, thrashing around. But since I’ve hopped on the photography tip, I’ve got gear to worry about. So after a couple songs right up at the stage, I opted to move back to the Sinclair’s balcony, which was undisputedly the right call. Steen very nonchalantly beckoned for the crowd to get ready before the frontman dove headfirst (proper etiquette FWIW) into the crowd, got carried around for a few seconds, and then was lifted back to the stage. It was glorious, glorious Shame. 

Check out our photos from the show below, and stream Shame’s Food For Worms wherever you listen to your tunes.