Doomed Confessionary: Matt Whitehead, Rob Elzey & Bo Leslie (Shun)
American atmospheric, heavy rock band Shun returned with their long-awaited second full-length album »Dismantle«, out on July 19th, 2024 via Small Stone Recordings.
The band released their self-titled debut to positive critical acclaim through Small Stone in 2021. Three years later, »Dismantle« continues several crucial threads from the debut in terms of songwriting and the returning production of J. Robbins (Jawbox, Government Issue), while expanding their scope with a more refined crunch and drifting, ethereal outreach. It is heavier and paints a broader landscape in Matt Whitehead’s vocal and guitar melodies, able to take a prog-metal chug in »Horses« and reshape it as the backdrop for weighted post-rock while refusing to sap its own vitality in service to shoegazey posturing.
Shun consists of Matt Whitehead (guitar, vocals), Rob Elzey (drums), Jeff Baucom (bass) and Bo Leslie (guitar).
Can you say a few words about your band?
Matt: We’re a heavy, atmospheric, often very loud, rock band from Greenville, SC / Western North Carolina. Jeff, Rob, and I have been playing together for several years now. Bo is a new addition to the band, but he and I have played in two other groups together in the past. In fact, he and I formed Throttlerod together in the late 90s.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Matt and Rob: We don’t all live in the same town which can be challenging. 2 of us live in Greenville, South Carolina and 2 live outside of Asheville, North Carolina so we have to be very deliberate about rehearsing.
Bo: Besides my challenge of learning these songs and making them feel like my own (I joined after the record was fully written), I would say regaining momentum from the writing break.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Matt: Easy: writing and recording »Dismantle«.
Bo: Learning songs from »Dismantle« and the few from s/t and integrating myself fully into Shun musically.
What was your biggest regret?
No regrets.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Matt: The block of shows we just did for the album release were really fun. Especially the Greenville shows at Swanson’s Warehouse and Radio Room (ended up being 2 shows) and the show in Brevard at 185 King.
Rob: We played a really fun, packed show at the (old) New Brookland Tavern Columbia SC a while ago.
Matt: That was a fun one. Also, opening for Shiner and Spotlights in Asheville was pretty special. I’ve been a big fan of Shiner for a while and Spotlights more recently. They were both so good live.
Photo by Audrey Wilson
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Bo: The band Nerve Debt from Greenville, SC. They’re in the vein the aggressive, noisy music like: Deadguy, Godflesh, Relentless.
Matt: I completely agree about Nerve Debt. The supportive bands and people in general around here have been a pleasant surprise.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Bo: Shiner »Splay« Remaster, Mountaineer »Dawn And All That Follows«, Worshipper »One Way Trip«, been going through shuffling whole band catalogs: Sick Of It All, Deftones, The Cult, The Cure. And regionally, I dig the two singles Asheville’s Sunbearer put out.
Matt: I will say that most of my attention in the 1st half of the year was spent focused on getting our songs show-ready and getting Bo up to speed. So, I’ve listened to a LOT of Shun. Ha! This past week, I played a lot of Shiner, Mark Lanegan, Jesus Lizard (new singles), and Deftones.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Bo: Play what makes you happy and play for yourself.
Rob: stay true to your heart, and if you’re not having fun try something different.
Matt: Where are you guys getting this advice? Kidding….The best advice I got was probably to take it on the road.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Matt: I can’t think of anything musically.
Bo: Don’t really have any. Like what you like and who cares what others like.
Rob: I don’t feel guilty about it, but I can’t stop listening to instrumental funk.
Can you say something more about current music scene in Greenville / South Carolina?
Bo: Greenville and the upstate of SC has a really diverse heavy scene with bands like Auralayer, Nerve Debt, Neverfall, Islander, NILE, Coffin Torture, Phantom Ships, and I’m forgetting some.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Bo: Southeast and expanding.
Matt: We’re open to all offers.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Matt, Rob & Bo: Play shows, write, record, repeat.
How can people best support your band?
Matt, Rob & Bo: Buy the records, buy the shirts, stream on the platforms.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Matt, Rob & Bo: Thank you, tell your friends, and be open to new & creative art/music.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well