After 36 years together, alternative stalwarts Shihad have called time on the band's career citing 'half-assing Shihad was never an option', but not before they hurtle around Australia one, final time.
The New Zealand four-piece, who were inducted into the Aotearoa's Music Hall of Fame in 2010 and have received multiple ARIA nominations, will headline concerts in Adelaide, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne next February-March.The quartet of Jon Toogood, Karl Kippenberger, Phil Knight, and Tom Larkin have released ten studio albums (selling over a quarter of a million records) across their career, which has also seen them tour with such icons as AC/DC, Faith No More, Tool, Back Sabbath, and Motorhead.
With gaps between albums increasing (their most recent was 2021's 'Old Gods'), growing commitments outside the band, and band members' inability to give Shihad the time, focus and dedication it needed and deserved, they made the hard call to end the band.
While opinions within differ, they are united in agreement that half-assing Shihad was never an option. "We've had as much fun as we've had moments of disappointment and of anger," Karl says, "but we've also had some real special moments."
Adds Tom: "The fundamental chemistry and make-up of what makes Shihad special and what makes Shihad work requires certain things to be in place. When you can't sustain those things or plan for those things, it takes away from Shihad being something that makes sense. It's about a shared commitment and a shared energy."
Shihad's legacy as one of Australasia's premiere alternative heavy acts of the last 30-40 years is unquestioned, with Shihad's discography containing such hits as 'I Only Said', 'Run', 'The General Electric', 'Pacifier', 'My Mind's Sedate', 'Home Again', 'Think You're Free' and 'Deb's Night Out'.
"We need to pay homage to the legacy of this band, because it's meant so much to us and also to the people that have supported us," Jon says, before adding, "we're gonna f...ing hit it!"
While Phil muses: "You know, personal relationships and professional work don't always survive forever, but we've lived it all. We really have. We've lived the life that so many musicians would give their right arm for."
Tickets are on sale.
Shihad 2025 Tour Dates
Thu 13 Feb - The Gov (Adelaide)Fri 14 Feb - Metro Theatre (Sydney)
Fri 21 Feb - Astor Theatre (Perth)
Fri 28 Feb - The Tivoli (Brisbane)
Fri 7 Mar - Forum Melbourne
