by Rob Jones

Shed 7 return and in terms of both stage and studio the lads retain the appeal that they had back in the 90s.

Shed Seven release their first album in more than six years and ‘A Matter of Time’ is on the Cooking Vinyl label. 2024 represents the band’s 30th anniversary and the single ‘Kissing California’ leads the way.

For ‘A Matter of Time’, Shed Seven’s core members – vocalist Rick Witter, guitarist Paul Banks and bassist Tom Gladwin – reconnected with the classic albums that first inspired them to form a band. The resulting record sparkles with the liberated exuberance and full-throttle rock ‘n’ roll attitude of a group who are making music for the sheer joy of expressing themselves and performing together. While the album broadens the Shed Seven sonic palette a touch, it’s full of the towering, arms-in-the-air anthems and yearning melancholia that fans love.

The trio enlisted a new line-up for the album, calling upon drummer Rob ‘Maxi’ Maxfield (Audioweb) and keyboardist Tim Willis (Ian Brown). The album was produced by the Grammy Award-winning Youth (The Verve, Pink Floyd) at El Mirador Studios in Andalucia, Spain, before being completed by leading mixer Cenzo Townshend (Florence + The Machine, Inhaler).

Paul Banks says, “For this album, we took a nostalgic journey back to our roots, immersing ourselves in the records and sounds that ignited our passion for songwriting at the tender age of 12. The influences of bands like The Smiths, R.E.M., U2, Simple Minds, The Cure, and Duran Duran permeate every note, making it a heartfelt homage to those cherished times. It embodies the essence of rebirth, empowering individuals to embrace their true selves without inhibition. With utmost conviction, we declare this as the pinnacle of our musical endeavours – the record we’ve always yearned to create.”

There are other classic rock references in the mix from the assault of Oasis, the sway of Suede, the momentum of the Manic Street Preachers and still incorporating touches of Paul Weller, Jethro Tull, Wings and The Who among others. Shed 7 are indeed magpies…but their flight is in its ascent.

Like numerous favourites from the Shed Seven back catalogue, the lead single ‘Kissing California’ is instantly addictive – this time with chiming guitars, sun-scorched melodies and charismatic vocals all contributing to its life-affirming positivity.

Rick Witter adds, “‘Kissing California’ is Shed Seven’s summer anthem. It’s essentially a celebration of being alive, and grabbing the opportunity to paint the town red with someone special and have the best of times. It’s the medicine we all need sometimes.”

Elsewhere, ‘A Matter of Time’ flows from adrenalised punky power-pop right through to epic slow-burners, complete with some special guests: Happy Mondays’ legend Rowetta contributing fervent gospel vocals to ‘In Ecstasy’, Laura McClure of Reverend & The Makers on the folky-pop of ‘Tripping With You’ and Peter Doherty, who duets with Witter on the dramatic closer ‘Throwaways’.

‘A Matter of Time’ is now available. A wide range of physical formats are available with exclusives for Amazon, Assai Records, HMV and select indie stories. A special bonus ‘A Matter of Time: Deep Cuts’ CD is only available with bundles purchased from the band’s official store, with options including a signed digipak CD, a signed dolphin coloured vinyl, and a dual pink/green cassette.

In the meantime, Shed Seven will play select gigs this summer including a sold-out 6000-capacity show at Millenium Square, Leeds, on July 15th and a headline set at Party At The Palace on August 12th.

Shed Seven emerged as one of the big hitters during the heyday of Britpop, their catalogue of classic singles leading to seven Top 20 hits including ‘Going For Gold’, ‘Chasing Rainbows’, ‘Disco Down’ and ‘On Standby’ as well as four Top 10 albums. Their popularity has continued since reforming in 2007, with 2017’s ‘Instant Pleasures’ album debuting at #8 – their highest-charting record in eighteen years. The band’s subsequent sold-out shows have included Leeds First Direct Arena, the O2 Academy Brixton and Manchester’s O2 Victoria Warehouse.

 

However, nothing to lose the faithful, plenty to excite them and fare to raise new fans – deal done.

‘A Matter of Time’ tracklist:

‘Let’s Go’

‘Kissing California’

‘Talk of the Town’

‘Let’s Go Dancing’

‘In Ecstasy’ (featuring Rowetta)

‘Tripping With You’ (featuring Laura McClure)

‘Let’s Go (Again)’

‘Real Love’

‘F:K:H’

‘Ring The Changes’

‘Starlings’

‘Throwaways’ (featuring Peter Doherty)