Shields Is There Anytime, Anywhere
Fighting out of Austin, Texas, Shields are a no-holds-barred power trio aiming to bring the party back to the rock scene. Christian Shields (guitar/vocals), brother Nathan Victor "N.V." Shields (drums/vocals) and "Shade"(bass/backing vocals) cite seminal showmen Kiss as a major influence. Listening to their new single “My Roommate Sucks” from their debut album Use Protection, you can definitely hear the echo of Gene Simmons et al. Catchy guitar hooks, irreverent, humorous lyrics, and a bombastic tidal wave of fun make Shield’s signature sound instantly accessible and enjoyable. That said, the band has resisted pressure from certain quarters to confine themselves to a narrow genre, and the evident variety on Use Protection is testament to a wise decision.
“I feel a lot of bands take themselves too seriously,” says Christian. “There’s always room for serious heartfelt songs,” adds N.V, “or deep, soul-touching music, but there is also plenty of room for a fun twist on how you drank too much and woke up with Sharpie drawn all over you.” This lack of pretension accounts for a lot of Shields appeal. Their connection with their fans is deeply important. They sing about life experiences that the majority of us can identify with. "Screw this, I really hate my job," Shields belt out over a monstrous riff on "Slave to the Grind." This is cathartic music that celebrates a common shared identity with irrepressible energy and heart.
Shields Use Protection
The Shields brothers grew up in Rhode Island and relocated to Texas with the sole aim of starting a new music adventure. “There’s no better area than the live music capital of the world, Austin," says Christian. “The music scene in Rhode Island was falling apart,” adds N.V, “I felt it was time for a drastic change. My brother told me he was moving and I decided I would go with him.”
It was a move that, together with a lot of hard work, has paid off. The boys did 91 shows in 2017 alone and their fan base is clearly growing. “We pack an arena-sized package into a club,” says Christian. “Anyone who finds themselves at a Shields performance can expect a high-energy rock show.” Like their inspiration, Kiss, Shields clearly give their all on stage. This is a hard-working band with a refreshing lack of ego. Their fans are their guests and everyone is invited to the party.
Perhaps the ridiculously infectious “We Are the Animals” sums it up best: “How do you tell your friend is a Shields dude? He’s at his job interview in his birthday suit.” This is a great slice of pure rock; a swirling start-stop guitar line, stone-solid bass, and rollicking drums. It’s the perfect Shield’s song: swaggeringly danceable, anarchic, and ballsy. Shields suck it up and wail it out.
“The music scene in Rhode Island was falling apart,” adds N.V, “I felt it was time for a drastic change. My brother told me he was moving and I decided I would go with him.”
Don’t ignore the craft that goes into Use Protection, though. Shields make it look easy, but what sets them apart from the chasing pack is their musicianship and wit. The brother’s guitar and drums blend extremely well. N.V.’s subtle adornments and accentuations beneath the thundering skins merit repeated listening. During our interview, he speaks with knowledge and passion about his craft, vocalizing an observation I had already noted: like the great John Bonham, N.V.’s backbeat manages to provide a solid base whilst also engaging with and complementing the guitar.
Speaking of which, Christian’s playing is certainly accomplished, driving the band forward much in the manner than John Lennon used to do so well. There is nary a misstep in his solos, which never outstay their welcome. For all the showmanship in their music, Christian’s playing never feels showy. It’s tight and controlled, powerful whilst sticking firmly to the "less is more" aesthetic. This is people’s music. Listening to the album you can imagine wandering along, picking up a guitar and joining right in.
Shade is the band’s secret weapon in more ways than one. Late to the interview, he responds to my rather direct question as to what he contributes to the band with the words: “I play bass.” Yes, he does, and Shade’s bass is the glue that binds the whole together, managing to be both solid and fluid as the occasion demands. “Shade has phenomenal powers of observation,” explains N.V. Not an original member of the band, Shade learned by watching the hands of the previous bassist. When he first offered to play, the brothers were a little skeptical. “Shade said, ‘Show me how to play one song, and I’ll nail it front to back’,” explained Christian. To their surprise, Shade did just that, and he has gone from strength to strength ever since.
Shields are determined to stay true to their roots. I asked if there is a danger, as their fame increases, that they might lose touch with their fans and the inspiration for their material. Christian is adamant that they won't. “I would never want that to happen,” he says, “We could be like any other band and churn out radio-friendly pop, but that’s not what we’re about, and I don’t see any longevity in that.” Indeed, Shields' down-to-earth sound married to their theatrical flair is what sets them apart. “We’re not trying to re-invent the wheel here,” says N.V, “but we are trying to bring something fresh.” Use Protection may display elements of the great show-rock bands of decades past (listen out for a sneaky reference to a classic Queen song in the fast-paced helter-skelter ride that is “Car Rules”), but Shields' debut album is accomplished enough to stand proudly on its own two feet.
“I feel I’m constantly evolving as a songwriter,” says Christian, “I feel there should always be growth in your music so nothing gets stale.” Like Ali in the ring, you get the feeling Shields are capable of going whatever direction they desire. Witness fan-favorite “Far Away” from Use Protection, a blues rock ballad that brings to mind Eric Clapton as much as Faith No More. “I'm a fan of trying new things,” says N.V, “I feel like we've found the vein of where we want our sound to be, but there is always room to grow and evolve.”
This is an exciting time for Shields. In two years they have achieved so much. Use Protection is an album to be proud of, and a solid base on which to build. “For now we’re concentrating on playing as many live shows as we can,” says Christian, “Playing Europe or the UK is even a possibility for this year, who knows?!” The band also hopes to put out at least three new videos this over the next twelve months, an ambition which seems perfect for their narrative-style songwriting. If the short films can capture the playfulness of Use Protection, they should be a blast.
Expect great things from Shields in the near future and, if you happen to catch them live, make sure to approach them after the gig. They are always more than willing to say "Hi.”
