The Shabs are a folk-punk band from Cape Town, South Africa, now based in the UK.
Since 2012 they’ve built a loyal following across South Africa, the UK, and Europe with their blend of melodic sing-along folk and raw punk energy. Influenced by PUP, Frank Turner, The Front Bottoms, and Against Me!, their anthemic live shows are as heartfelt as they are explosive.
With three albums, countless tours, and appearances at festivals such as Lost Evenings, The Great Escape, Mighty Sounds, and No Borders No Nations, The Shabs have cemented their place in the international punk scene. Their upcoming record, Half Dead (out March 2026), captures the band’s trademark sincerity and optimism - a soundtrack of positivity, empathy, and resilience for a broken, post-pandemic world.
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PRESS QUOTES:
“With a sound that mixes the anger and energy of Against Me! with the tunefulness of Frank Turner, but with their own unique perspective added on top, the band were blasting out energy from the off and played with an exuberance and positivity of spirit that possibly outdid all others all weekend.” - Tom Girard, BBC Introducing
The Shabs have a way of putting words to things we never knew we felt - but here we are, feeling them. And dancing to them too.” - Skye Mallac, Texx & The City
“Folk Music and Punk Rock are genres that rely heavily on the art of storytelling. The Shabs have definitely mastered this form of art. For this, they have my ears.” - Audio Inferno
“For those of you who thought the folk punk genre had pretty much explored every possible avenue and had run it’s course, well The Shabs are here to prove that this isn’t the case with a surprising and idiosyncratic album.”- The Punk Site
“It is definitely a great piece of work not only in the band’s discography but also in the genre itself.” - Music Server, Czech Republic
