Shed Seven
This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2009) |
Shed Seven | |
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![]() Shed Seven performing in Kingston upon Thames, 2024. | |
Background information | |
Origin | York, England |
Genres | Alternative rock, Britpop |
Years active |
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Labels |
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Members |
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Past members |
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Website | Official website |
Shed Seven are an
At the height of their popularity between 1994 and 1999 they had fifteen Top 40 singles[1] and four Top 20 albums in the UK.[2] The band officially broke up in 2003, but reformed for a greatest hits tour in July 2007.[1] Shed Seven continued to play shows around Britain periodically until releasing a new studio album in 2017 with the announcement of Instant Pleasures. Their latest album, A Matter of Time, was released on 5 January 2024 and became the first number one album in their career.
History
Early years
Shed Seven formed in 1990 from the remnants of Brockley Haven, a band featuring frontman
Their debut single, the
In September 1994, the band released their debut album, Change Giver, entering the UK album chart at number 16[2] and giving the group their first Gold disc.[5] Despite it spending just two weeks in the chart, the "critically underrated debut album",[10] which NME declared "an attempted stab in the face of their critics",[10] gave the band three UK Top 40 singles.[2] As well as enjoying popularity in both the UK and Australia, Shed Seven also found an audience in Thailand, where they managed to beat Take That to the Christmas number 1 spot with their fourth single release, "Ocean Pie". The following April, "Where Have You Been Tonight?", the first record to emerge from the band's collaboration with their new producer, Chris Sheldon,[5] was issued as their fifth single, peaking at number 23[5] and continuing the band's chart-placing run. Although the single was "rush released"[11] with the intention of it being followed by a swiftly recorded second album,[11] the band failed to capitalize on the song's success as it became Shed Seven's one and only release throughout 1995.
Peak of success
With five UK Top 40 entries in 1996,[2] Shed Seven had more hit singles than any other act that year,[3] the high point coming with the release of their seventh single, "Going For Gold", which entered the UK chart at number 8 on 17 March[2] and remains their biggest chart hit to date. A sold-out thirteen-date Autumn tour followed, including their debut at the York Barbican Centre. The definitive band line-up released 3 studio albums—Change Giver (1994), A Maximum High (1996) and Let It Ride (1998)—along with a greatest hits compilation, Going For Gold (1999). The release of the latter was forced upon the band by their record company, Polydor,[12] after Let It Ride failed to match the album sales of its predecessor, which sold 250,000 copies in Britain alone.[3][13] Despite the band's reservations about issuing such a compilation so soon in their career, the album went on to sell 130,000 copies[12] and featured brand new material in "Disco Down" and "High Hopes", both intended to be issued as singles. "Disco Down" went on to become the last Banks-era hit for the band, peaking at number 13,[2] whilst "High Hopes" was sidelined by Polydor in favour of a proposed re-release of the previous single, "Going For Gold". However, the band refused to comply, leading to Shed Seven and Polydor Records parting company in late 1999;[12]
The Greatest Hits wasn't our idea—we felt it was a few years too early—but agreed to do it on the understanding that we would release two new singles from the album. 'Disco Down' did really well and we were all prepared to follow it up with 'High Hopes', the video script was approved and it was ready to go to radio, when some higher authority decided it would be a better idea to re-release 'Going For Gold' instead. We put our foot down and said 'no way, we are not going to rip off our fans with old material'. In fact, most people at the label thought it was an awful idea.
Shed Seven mark II
By 1998, keyboardist Fraser Smith had been recruited as a session player to join the band on tour. As a session player, Smith also played keyboards on the new tracks recorded for the Greatest Hits album in 1999. In December 1999, guitarist Paul Banks left the band by mutual consent with Rick Witter citing "musical differences" for the split. During an NME interview about his post-Shed Seven band, The Rising, Banks commented on his departure from the group,[14] explaining that he felt more respected and accepted in his new band. Banks was replaced by original guitarist Joe Johnson in early 2000 while Fraser Smith became a permanent member of the band around the same time. Now officially a five piece and with a new song writing team consisting of Witter, Johnson and Smith, the band signed a new contract with Artful Records and in May 2001 went on to release their fourth studio album, Truth Be Told, which was preceded by the lead single "Cry For Help". That summer the band performed at the festivals T in the Park and V2001.[15]
Despite their new deal, the band remained dissatisfied with the lack of promotional support from their label and frustrated by delayed releases.[3] This was highlighted by Artful's decision to change the planned second single from Truth Be Told, "Step Inside Your Love" from chart-eligible formats and a planned release date of July 2001, to a non chart-eligible 4-track EP released in October 2001.[3] The band were further hindered by BBC Radio 1's decision not to playlist them in their post-Polydor days[3][16] despite DJ Chris Moyles being a long-time supporter of the band.[3][16] The band parted company with Artful Records in 2002.
Beginning of the end
In 2003, Shed Seven found a new home at Taste Media, and soon returned to the charts with the single, "Why Can't I Be You?", released on 5 May and peaking at number 23.[2] The song proved to be their first and last single release for the label, as the band lost patience with Taste's refusal to release their fully recorded would-be fifth studio album, slated for release in September 2003. With Taste demanding another big hit before they were willing to release a new Shed Seven album,[3] the ready and complete LP was held back indefinitely. As a consequence, the band announced their imminent split via a statement issued through the official Shed Seven website on 23 November 2003, explaining that their then-current UK tour—which took place between November and December 2003—would become the group's "farewell tour":[17]
Although we feel that certain aspects of the music industry have put a strain on the recording side of things in recent years, the one thing that has remained consistent throughout has been the band's love of performing live and the ability to please the fans by giving 100% every time. This is exactly what we plan to do at these last remaining shows, making a special effort to play what people want to hear. It will be a celebration, a retrospective, a Shed Seven tour to remember.
The final tour was a sell-out success, with the last gig played on 20 December 2003 at the Barbican Centre, in their hometown of York. One further album release did, however, come of their time at Taste: their only official live album,
Post-split
Album releases
An alternative hits album,
Band members
Lead singer
Reformation
Reunion tours
On 7 July 2007, the band announced a greatest hits reunion tour of 14 UK venues for November and December 2007, starting at the
By mid-July, several major venues had sold out and a further six concerts were announced, including two extra dates in London's
]Shed Seven undertook an eighteen date tour of Scotland and England in late 2009 early 2010.
The band announced a Christmas tour for 2011 – celebrating the 15 years since the release of A Maximum High. The tour, entitled 'The Maximum Hits Tour' focused on their output during the A Maximum High era, and included a brass section on tour for the first time.[citation needed]
Album and EP releases
In September 2007, Universal Music and Polydor Records announced the release of a double CD album featuring the best of Shed Seven's BBC recordings. Unlike a "
A further EP was released on 7 November 2011. The CD, released in conjunction with the 2011 tour, featured four re-worked tracks from their A Maximum High album, released 15 years previously. The four songs were re-recorded and reworked with an orchestral feel over the course of a weekend in September. The CD was limited to 777 hand numbered copies available exclusively from their official website, though digital versions are freely available from the major online retailers. The CD, released on the Blue Apple Music label, sold out within two hours.[citation needed]
On 20 February 2017 the band announced they would be releasing their first studio album for 16 years later in the year and would be touring throughout December 2017 in support of Instant Pleasures. Cast would be supporting them on the tour.[20] Flick of the Finger gave the album a positive 5 star review, with the publication stating with regard to the album's closing song, Invincible: '...ends on lyrics of “even if we crash and burn in the end”, but with a collection of songs here that invoke so many emotions, it's hard to see the band ever coming to a crash and burn finale.'[21]
On 12 October 2019, Shed Seven played a short pre-match set prior to the 2019 Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford, Manchester.[22]
In December 2020, Shed Seven released a live album called Another Night, Another Town.[23] They headlined an all-Yorkshire rock festival in June 2021 with support from The Wedding Present, Skylights and The Pigeon Detectives.[24]
On 17 August 2021, the band announced that Alan Leach and Joe Johnson would be leaving the band after their summer festival commitments with Shed Seven had been fulfilled. The remaining members would continue with the following winter tour, and further announcements would follow regarding replacement personnel.[25]
On 3 February 2023, Shed Seven announced that they would be recording a new album in Spain, once again with producer Youth and new band members Tim Wills (keyboards and guitar) and Rob Maxfield (drums).[26][27]
On 5 January 2024, Shed Seven released A Matter of Time, their sixth studio album. This was to become the band's first ever number 1 album in the Official Charts.[28][29]
Discography
- Change Giver (1994)[30]
- A Maximum High (1996)
- Let It Ride (1998)
- Truth Be Told (2001)
- Instant Pleasures (2017)
- A Matter of Time (2024)
References
- ^ a b c d "Shed Seven reform for Greatest Hits tour". NME. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Shed Seven at OfficialCharts.com". Official Charts. Retrieved 27 April 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Seven Up". Archive.thisisyork.co.uk. Retrieved 5 May 2009.
- ^ a b Record Mart & Buyer, Issue 12, July 1999, p37
- ^ a b c d e Record Mart & Buyer, Issue 12, July 1999, p38
- ^ 'The Newest Wave', Melody Maker, 26 March 1994, p34
- ^ "Going for Gold". NME. 12 September 2005. Retrieved 1 May 2009.
- ^ Change Giver sleevenotes
- ^ a b c "Britpop bands - where are they now?". NME. Retrieved 28 April 2009.
- ^ a b 'Liggers With Attitude', NME, 23 March 1996, p. 15
- ^ a b Record Mart & Buyer, Issue 12, July 1999, p. 39
- ^ a b c 'Polydor: Witter A Bitter Quitter', NME Online, December 1999
- ^ 'Shed Seven : Let It Ride', NME Online Review, May 1998
- ^ 'Indie Old Guard Rise Again', NME Online, May 2000
- ^ "LIVE: V2001 FESTIVAL"[usurped]. Chart Attack, August 24, 2001. Review By Frank Walshe
- ^ a b "The return of the Seven". Citylife.co.uk. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
- ^ Foley, Jack (2003). "Feature: Shed 7 to disband after current tour". indielondon.co.uk. Retrieved 20 December 2009.
- ^ "Britpop - Where are they now?". News.bbc.co.uk. 17 August 2005.
- ^ "York's Shed Seven back at the top". BBC News. 16 December 2009.
- ^ "Shed Seven are back! Legendary band launch brand new album". Yorkmix.com. 20 February 2017.
- ^ "REVIEW: Shed Seven's First Album In Sixteen Years Has Been Worth The Wait - Flick Of The Finger". Flickofthefinger.co.uk. 6 November 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
- ^ "Shed Seven to headline Grand Final". Superleague.co.uk.
- ^ "Paul McCartney heading for first solo Number 1 album in over 30 years with McCartney III". Officialcharts.com.
- ^ "Another Night Another Town Archives". Charleshutchpress.co.uk. 18 December 2021.
- ^ "Shock for Shed Seven fans as two founder members to leave the band". Yorkmix.com. 17 August 2021.
- ^ "Recording 'The Heroes' in 1997 … and next week we will be back in Spain 🇪🇸 recording the new album, with Youth producing once again. We're all super excited about the new tunes, LETS GO ! PB". Twitter.com. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
- ^ "Top band which formed in York announce first album in over six years". Yorkpress.com. 13 July 2023.
- ^ "York band Shed Seven on track for their first-ever UK No 1 album - after 30 years". Yahoo News. 8 January 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
- ^ "Shed Seven - A Matter of Time". Official Charts. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ "Shed Seven | Biography & History". AllMusic.