Doomed Confessionary: Sheby (Tigerleech)

Photos by Laurent Hou
Tigerleech is a sludge/hardcore outfit from Paris, France. Formed in 2013, Tigerleech oscillates between stoner, hardcore and sludge style. The band produces powerful, brutal and uncompromising music. A big, fat, supercharged sound.
After adding a second guitarist and working on new compositions, the band will released their third full-length album »Bicephalous« in early 2025 via Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records. Tigerleech already launched a music video for the first single »When You Cross The Border«.
Tigerleech are Shelby on vocals, Fabien on guitar, Yvan on second guitar, Hanz on bass and Adrien Vicario on drums.
Can you say a few words about your band?
Hi Doomed Nation Zine, we are Tigerleech, stoner, sludge, hardcore band from Paris, France. The band exists since 2013. We produced 2 EPs and 2 LPs, the first one »The Edge Of The End« in 2019 and the second »Melancholy Bridge« in 2021. The next one will release in end of March 2025 signed with Octopus Rising (Argonauta Records).
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Very good question. For us the biggest challenge was to keep the guys motivated and willing to invest in a band. In 11 years, the line-up has changed every 3/4 years.
I (Sheby) have been here since the beginning and Fabien (guitarist) for 9 years. Despite these changes, we’ve persevered and done quite a lot in the end. The band has been really stable for the last 2 years, so fingers crossed!
What can you be most proud of so far?
I think I ‘ve just answered this question (LOL): Keep the faith, stay the course and move forward despite the difficulties.
What was your biggest regret?
We don’t have any regrets… We’re lucky to live in a country where we can do and say whatever we want. We have a passion for making music, doing gigs, producing records, meet people and other… bands, move through France (and may be in Europe soon), drink some beers… so no regrets, just enjoy!
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
We are a small band so we didn’t have for the moment big concerts and big tour.
In 2022, we had two gigs. One in an old house owned by an old guy who didn’t talk that much. It was a bar, we played outside. We eat and sleep there. When we got up the next morning, the guy tells us to stay and serves us the same dish as the day before… it was so good that we ate outside in the sunshine. In the evening we played at a festival where there was a barbecue and unlimited beer… these are simple things but they stay with us forever.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
The Beatles split! It’s a joke. Sorry no biggest surprise for us… LIFE is a surprise 😉
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
We’re always listening to: Deftones, Alice In Chains, Meshuggah, Unsane, Mastodon, Bad Brains… punk, hardcore, stoner bands…
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
To believe in what you do, keep the faith, never give up, try to improve, be kind and respectful.
What are your guilty pleasures?
You are talking to French people… so each time we play, we hope the food will be good. Sometime it happens, often not, even in France (LOL).
Can you say something more about current music scene in France?
The music scene is huge in France. On the other hand, I don’t think there’s enough of a mix of styles in the programming, with bands often playing off each other. We recently did a concert with a neo-metal band and a death-metal band, and I found it very interesting musically…
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Only in France beginning of 2025.
08/02 El Camino (Caen)
07/03 Le Petit Café (Rezé)
21/03 Le Vélo Bar (Labergement St Marie)
22/03 648 Bar (Marcellaz)
18/04 Chaulnes Metal Festival (Chaulnes)
What are your plans for the future as a band?
There’s another music video coming out in February, we’re looking forward to the release of our album »Bicephalous« at the end of March… and still can’t wait to go out and play all over France!!!!
Did you have any special plans for New Year’s Eve?
No, we do what everyone else does. Either with family or friends, eat well, drink well and hope that 2025 won’t be as bad as 2024… it’s a long shot.
How can people best support your band?
The best thing to do is to go on Bandcamp because everything you buy goes directly to the band, always more interesting than Spotify.
You can follow us on social networks, like and share with your friends to spread the Tigerleech sound. Of course people support small bands by going to concerts…
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Hi guys, you don’t know us, we don’t know you… but now with Doomed Nation Zine we’re connected!
Hope you’ll enjoy our sound and headbang on it. Welcome in the TIGERFAMILEECH.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well