Singer-songwriter Nadine Shah made her opinions known of a certain segment in the latest Phil Lynott documentary, Songs For While I’m Away. The part in question featured U2 bassist Adam Clayton talking about the role of the bass in a band. Going to Twitter to post a recording of the bit, Shah showed Clayton saying that “The bass is this secret weapon. It’s where the power comes from. It locks in a groove with the drum kit – the drums and the bass gives you that nice, kind of sexy wiggle of the hips. And then all the other kind of girly stuff sits on top, but we are the men of the band.” Shah finished the video off by calling the U2 member a “prick”.
Adam Clayton is a fucking spenk. My “girly stuff” shits on what you do. pic.twitter.com/DrCDdsiKwf
— Nadine Shah (@nadineshah) December 4, 2021
In the actual body of the tweet, Shah also said that “Adam Clayton is a fucking spenk. My “girly stuff” shits on what you do.” The comments on the post seem to be in general agreement, noting certain female bass players who helped bring about some of the best pop music of the last century (notably Carol Kaye of Pet Sounds and Spector fame as well as Tina Weymouth of Talking Heads).
Shah has been particularly concerned with how women are treated in society recently, especially after being sexually assaulted last September, sustaining some scratches and bruising. Posting and then deleting photos on social media, she reposted them after being verbally assaulted the month after. The singer took to Instagram to say “Call out your mates, don’t defend your friend or husbands of their foul behaviour. Call them out. Tonight I relived the abuse all over again and I wasn’t believed again. It fucking hurts. I’m lucky in that I have access to this platform where I can speak to thousands of you. Thousands of women dont [sic] #belivewomen”.
Here’s me a month ago after being sexually assaulted by four random men in the street. Tonight a man verbally abused me and it brought back all that fear again, so much so I’m gonna leave my new home of Ramsgate. I’m so fucking tired. Leave women the fuck alone! pic.twitter.com/akiOyvDmof — Nadine Shah (@nadineshah) October 3, 2021
Aside from these unfortunate incidents, Shah has also made sexism one of the topics of her latest 2020 album Kitchen Sink, with songs like “Buckfast“ and “Trad“, and has also been seen supporting artist rights as streaming services are accused of underpaying musicians. Back in 2020, she told a government committee looking into the matter that she was still struggling to pay rent, despite her success as an artist.
If you’re interested in watching the documentary where the offending comments were made, or you’re just a big fan of Thin Lizzy, Phil Lynott: Songs For While I’m Away can be seen here today, or any day for the next 11 months whilst it’s still on the iPlayer. As for Nadine, if you’re interested in buying her latest album, or catching up on any upcoming performances, you can look here.
