SHAMELESS - Oi! from Lyon, France

SHAMLESS are a classic style Oi! band from the southern city of Lyon in France. Answers provided by Dorian.

1. Where and how did SHAMELESS form?

We formed the band with the original bassist Nico on 2011, in Lyon, After he splitted his band called Rude Gones. After some line up changes, we are now Gilbert at drums, Gilles at guitar , Romain with the bass and I Dorian at sing and rhythm guitar.

2. What is the Oi! scene like in Lyon, and France as a whole? I know Paris has alot of active new bands, do you get up to play in northern France very often? Who are yer favourite new(ish) French bands?

The Oi ! Scene is dying in Lyon and in France with the Parisians we are the youngests bands and all the newish band have 30 years members, it doesn’t speak to younger people. But the scene in France is very splitted between north and south. My favourite french newish bands are shoot the dogs, the headliners, and to be honest i don't have time to listen new bands but i will..

3. With France having such a long running rich Oi! scene with bands singing in French, how come you choose to sing in English instead? Has this got you more gigs abroad, or any scrutiny at home?

The first goal for the band was to play in others countries, and it's easier to be listened when you sing in English. Second reason it's for me a language adapted for rock'n roll music, with more rhythm than french language.

4. Your sound is not typically French with broody minor melodies, saxe etc. What bands influence you would you say as a whole and individually?

I love british music, for punk music i listen a lot blitz, slaughter and the dogs, skrewdriver and all the classic stuff, but i like brit pop too like pulp or the smiths. Romain the bassist is a big hardcore fan so when we compose a song together all this mess is mixed.

5. What is your take on the current wave of bands today round the world? Do you think they stand up to the classics of the 80s or 90s? Why or why not?

I think there is a lot of shit, like booze and glory or other boys bands , i think thzt we have to try to do something different than in the 80’s but we have not to do skatepunk shit. But don't listen to me i'm grumpy..but there is some good bands too 😁

6. What have bin yer favourite bands you've shared the stage with so far aswell as favourite gigs? On the flipside, what's bin yer worst gig experience to date?

I can't just tell just one band , i played with the bands i listened when i was a kid like major accident, condemned 84 and many more and it was always a blast, the last time in Czech Republic was one of my favourite gig with pressure 28 (top lads !), Great people, great city (Brno) great beers. The worst was in a tattoo convention with nobody in front it was a two days gig the weekend was great but the gig was fucking long..

7. Can you give us a discography to date, and disclose any future plans for releases, tours etc?

We have now a Lp relased in 2011, two eps , the last one Weekend wicked boys released in 2017. We are working on a new release maybe a maxi ep with 4or 5 songs cause i'm just lazy to compose 😁

8. Are you aware of any bands from the scene over here in Canada ?

i'm not really aware on canada's bands. Bishops green are famous in Europe like lancaster and alternate action.

9. Any final comments?

Thank you for your interest and support and sorry for the loooong time to answer…soy for my bad english but as a proper snails and frog eater i suck in english. Fuck crybabies, keep the faith and don't take it too serious !