By F5 Magazine
It’s been an eventful and celebratory week for Shed Seven, as they are poised to achieve their first No. 1 album after three decades in the music industry. The five-piece band from York, who originally formed in 1990, have experienced a resurgence in popularity since their reunion in 2007.
And now, with the album on track to top the charts, Shed Seven seems to be reaching new heights. During their record store tour, frontman Rick Witter, 51, proudly acknowledges the achievement: “It’s amazing that we are going to hit the top spot. It’s taken us 30 years so we’ve put in the hours. I remember when [lead guitarist] Paul and I started writing songs as 13-year-olds, we said the aim is a number one. I just didn’t think we’d achieve it in our 50s.”
I caught up with the Britpop star after their recent in-store gig in Brighton, and he expressed his enjoyment of being in the spotlight: “It’s been great visiting record stores this week. It’s amazing to see our fans and say hello. And the acoustic performances in such an intimate setting have been great.”
Shed Seven’s Enduring Spirit
Despite being considered underdogs compared to bands like Oasis, Blur, and Pulp during the 90s, Witter embraces this distinction: “A lot of people use the terms under-valued and underdog when they discuss our ’90s phase, but I don’t let it worry me. It’s probably the reason we’re still here doing this. It’s kept us hungry. And we bump into loads of bands on our travels. It’s always great to catch up with people we first met in the early ’90s.”
Shed Seven has always had a devoted live following, which has contributed to their ever-growing fanbase. Witter proudly states, “We pride ourselves on putting on a show. If people are coming to see us live, expect hips to swing and voices sing.”
The band consists of founder members Rick Witter and Paul Banks, along with Tom Gladwin, Rob “Maxi” Maxfield, and Tim Wills. Shed Seven’s newest album, “A Matter Of Time,” was born from the collaboration between Witter and Banks, who began writing songs in March 2022. The album captures the essence of their youth, drawing inspiration from bands like Duran Duran, Simple Minds, U2, and The Smiths, as well as their own personal experiences.
The album’s title, “A Matter Of Time,” perfectly characterizes Shed Seven’s resurgence. Witter explains, “We are putting out this new set of songs in our 30th year of releasing music, and we believe it’s up there with our best work, so I guess it’s us saying it was only a matter of time to arrive here. It’s also a lyric in the last track on the album, ‘Throwaways,’ and it’s kind of always stood out.”
The album features several collaborators, including Pete Doherty, Rowetta, and Laura McClure, who add their unique talents to the mix. Shed Seven’s perseverance and continuous growth as a band are evident in their music.
Reflecting on their journey, Witter states, “We are a better band all-round these days, which perhaps comes with age and experience.” Shed Seven’s passion for music and their refusal to dwell on the past have set them on a path of continued success.
With the release of “A Matter Of Time,” Shed Seven proves that they are still relevant and ready to take the music world by storm. As Witter puts it, “We are going to be busy all year with loads of exciting Shed-related business, so if you are a fan of Shed Seven, I’d buckle up for the ride. And if not, then find a big rock to hide behind. Or go and listen to something else instead.”
Shed Seven’s album, “A Matter Of Time,” is out now. To learn more about the band and their latest tracks, visit F5mag.com.