Interviews: Shade

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Rock band, Shade, from Tunisia. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name? Did you plan it or came out like that?

Back in the day, when we started, the Tunisian scene consisted mostly of either prog, death, or black metal. Rock, in all its forms, was only played by cover bands. So as soon as we started writing, we thought about a name that held the idea that we wanted to bring nuance to a scene that was extremely polarized. 

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

We were the kids who had epiphanies when we were witnessing Gen X doing its thing. Rock was inescapable back then, and when we started the band (as teens do), we discovered stoner, and it hit us like a truck. It sounded massive and felt primal, as if it were something we were missing our whole lives.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Some of us were friends, and for some it was more of a “we have mutual acquaintances” situation.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Aziz: Colour Haze

Walter: Monster Magnet

Mehdi H: Rage Against the Machine

Ahmed: Metallica

Mehdi B: All Them Witches

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Art in general. It can be other bands we like or other genres of music, but really any form of art that we resonate with. Also, we try to self-reflect, see where we are, and try to be as honest as possible about it.

6. Where was your last gig?

It was during the MENA ROCK FESTIVAL in Tunis.

7. Where would you like to act?

No brainer, Duna Jam.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

If it’s for a song, you want someone who has a unique sound. People like Justin Chancellor, Steve Vai, Buzz Osbourne, Scott Reeder, Brant Bjork... If it’s for a show, we would love to play with bands like Die Spitz or Hippie Death Cult. If it’s for anything art-related, John Dyer Baizley.

9. Whom not?

Anyone who doesn’t seem fun to work with or takes himself too seriously.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Not really. Stress is obviously sometimes a factor, but we figured out that it can be alleviated with work. The only thing you can do is be as ready as you can. 

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Bands like Sungrazer, Colour Haze, Karma to Burn, Atomic Bitchwax...

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

One guy pretended he was friends with one of the band members and wanted the keys to our hotel room. Something has yet to top that.

13. What do you think of your fans?

We evolve in a very small circle in Tunisia; everyone knows everyone, so our “fans” are mostly our friends and people we know. But it’s crazy for us to think that we have people who engage with our music all around the world. We’ve been on heavy rotation all year on an Australian rock radio show, which is insane for us. 

14. What do you think of our site?

As an up-and-coming band, especially if you’re independent, media coverage is an uphill battle. It’s easy to get lost and not know what to do. Breathing the Core is welcoming and gives you space to talk about your music in depth.

15. Something to add?

Our upcoming EP, The Exploitation Tapes, comes out on January 23. It’s very close to how we see Shade right now. It’s raw, unapologetic, and very honest about what excites us musically. If people connect with it, then we did our job.