Shame's Sean Coyle-Smith condemns UK's crackdown on Palestinian solidarity: "Almost dictator-like behaviour, in favour of this genocidal Israeli regime"

Speaking to Hot Press, Shame guitarist Sean Coyle-Smith has described the UK government's crackdown on those expressing solidarity with Palestine as "insanity".

“And the thing that’s even more insane, is that we have what’s supposed to be a left-wing government that’s perpetuating all of this almost dictator-like behaviour, in favour of this genocidal Israeli regime,” he stated. “It’s just madness.”

He made the comments as part of a new interview with Hot Press – published in full in the current issue – which took place during the South London band's recent run of sold-out Collins Barracks shows with Wunderhorse.

Sean and vocalist Charlie Steen noted that some of Shame's first gigs were fundraisers for Palestine. More recently, the band supported Medical Aid For Palestinians with a 2024 benefit show in London – while last year also saw Charlie raise funds for Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders through the sales of one of his prints.

Shame supporting Wunderhorse at Collins Barracks on August 19th, 2025. Copyright Abigail Ring/ hotpress.com

The interview also coincided with Mo Chara of KNEECAP's second court appearance in London, on a terror charge the Irish trio have described as a “carnival of distraction”, in the midst of genocide in Gaza. KNEECAP previously supported Shame at The Troxy in London, and appeared as special guests on their shamestation podcast, back in 2023.

Sean, whose mother is Irish, expressed his frustration over the increasingly popular argument that “music shouldn’t be political.”

“I see so many artists coming out with this statement as well – like that bullshit from Matty Healy, being like, ‘I don’t want my legacy to be political’, or whatever,” he said. “Standing up for what you believe in is just the bare minimum you can do.

"And when has music not been political? Sinéad O’Connor quite literally sacrificed herself back in the ‘90s, and basically put her whole career on the line, for politics. You see the same thing happening now with KNEECAP."

Sinéad O'Connor on Saturday Night Live – October, 1992

He went on to note that there's "been a lot of older artists who’ve shown their true colours as well, trying to have a toe in both camps."

“Like the recent statements from U2, which I thought was just pathetic," he resumed. "Bono once again wants everyone to like him – same with Radiohead. It’s just disgusting, really. Have some courage.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Shame discussed recording their acclaimed new album Cutthroat with producer John Congleton; drawing inspiration from both Oscar Wilde and Catholic upbringings; and their unexpected encounter with Louis Walsh...

Cutthroat is out now. Shame play the National Stadium, Dublin (November 12) and Cyprus Avenue, Cork (November 13).

The full interview with Shame is available to read in the current issue of Hot Press, out now.