The Shed Project - Our Fear Is Their Power

The Shed Project are set to release their second album ‘Our Fear Is Their Power’ on November 24th via One Love Records. The record was produced by Daniel Hayes and recorded at The Ivy Studio in their hometown of Bolton.

On their debut album, ‘The Curious Mind Of A Common Man’ the band knocked out a collection of songs which paid homage to their heroes Stone Roses, Northside, The Mondays and aspects of the C86 movement. Moments like ‘My Life’, ‘Lucky Number’, and ‘Modern Way’ lit up their tales with undeniable psychedelic and baggy licks.

Bridging the gap sonically between the albums are former single ‘Ghost Town’, ‘Naughty’, and ‘Easy’. The former is blessed with John Squire’s power, the indomitable groove of ‘Chicken Rhythms’ and the lysergic beauty of Afflecks Palace. ‘Naughty’, whilst questioning the notion of “getting on it” and its slippery slope comes with Mani-esque crunching basslines and Paul Ryder’s funked hedonism vision of rock ‘n’ roll rock ‘n’ roll visions. On ‘Easy’ however, they link to the first album with the Roses licks and signify this albums’ distinct change. Power! The delicate licks of the debut spiral into a more intoxicating brand of psychedelia and thus, begin to forge their identity as a band.

The harder sonic is laid bare on former singles ‘If You Know You Know’ and ‘Our Fear Is There Power’. The expansive sonic of Squire’s ‘It’s Begging You’ is injected with brutality. The hedonism fades into a realm of rage and angst that explodes into with the combined power of The Who and The Verve at their most volatile. On the title track, the harder edges are met with visceral social commentary too. Our decaying government! Polemic is not something naturally associated with the rock ‘n’ roll of the Northwest, but it’s always loitered in the hearts of Ian Brown and Noel Gallagher. Roy Fletcher’s success here proves the icons could have been more overt in their lyrics. His line in the sand is met with haunting licks and a bassline desperate to break its leash. Together, they spiral with the baggy ease of The Charlatans towards the eruption of psychedelic guitars. It’s far less a solo and more a howl of hatred.

The newfound power develops further In the politicised lyrics on ‘Ghost Town’ and the gritty examination of drug use of ‘Naughty’. ‘Ghost Town’, a modern take on the Specials classic told from the perspective of their native Bolton. They countenance the notion of “levelling up” by highlighting increased homelessness, poverty, and race to the bottom across all industries. Their despair is lit up by sunlit guitar licks and frontman Roy Fletcher’s angelic vocals. It's as fine a juxtaposition as you’ll hear this year. ‘Naughty’ however, strays into the realms of tragedy as Fletcher decrees “one thing leads to another / then you lose your brother”. A fine update on Buffalo Springfield’s “your troubled young life / Had made you turn to the needle of death”.

What began as mates in a Shed playing for fun has become the do-or-die rock ‘n’ roll generations live for! Their attempt to convey their moods has given a window into a nation teetering on the edge of revolt at its politicians, media, and institutions falter. This is rock ‘n’ roll for the people by the people, and it's no wonder they’re selling out venues across the UK.

The Shed Project – Ghost Town

Bolton outfit The Shed Project are back with their new single ‘Ghost Town’. The song is taken from their upcoming sophomore album ‘Our Fear Is Their Power’ due for release in October. It was recorded at Ivy Studio and produced by Danny Heyes.

On the previous single, ‘Our Fear Is There Power’ The Shed Project showed their political teeth by snarling at the oppressive Johnson government. Two Prime Ministers later, they release a deeply personal and saddened exploration of their hometown Bolton.

Artwork courtesy of the band.

A baggy update on The Specials ska classic, they countenance the notion of “levelling up” by highlighting increased homelessness, poverty, and race to the bottom across all industries. Their despair is lit up by sunlit guitar licks and frontman Roy Feltcher’s angelic vocals. It's as fine a juxtaposition as you’ll hear this year.

The pain and anguish in the synths mid-point brings a poignancy that will make even the most hardened of Tory haters shudder. Their harrowing nature is the sound of a town’s soul ebbing away seemingly unretrievable.

‘Ghost Town’ is their most immediate and urgent work to date. It’s blessed with a directness that is certain to grip the millions yearning for change. Furthermore, it makes their second album one of the most eagerly anticipated of 2023.

The Shed Project - Our Fear Is There Power

Bolton outfit The Shed Project have returned with their new single ‘Our Fear Is There Power’. Relesaed on Friday 26th May (One Love Records), it was produced by Danny Heyes and recorded Ivy Studio.

The debut album witnessed the band in an open mood as they told tales from their lives. Tinged with nostalgia, they traipsed their lysergic past from the North West to Amsterdam. On ‘If You’re Getting Busy (You’re Getting Better)’ they began to merge their diary-style storytelling with broader messages about tackling mental health. This new style of tying together the uber-personal with the universal continues on ‘Fear The Power’ as they manifest their angst about the government and press alongside a clarion call.  

Image and artwork courtesy of the band.

While the tempo may have dipped, this is their hardest sound. Like a caged tiger, they prowl with a visceral intent directed at the 6 toed pony fuckers running and ruining this country and the press that enables them.

Polemic is not something naturally associated with the rock ‘n’ roll of the North West but it’s always loitered in the hearts of Ian Brown and Noel Gallagher. Roy Fletcher’s success here proves the icons could have been more overt in with their lyrics. His line in the sand is met with haunting licks and a bassline desperate to break its leash. Together, they spiral with the baggy ease of The Charlatans towards the eruption of psychedelic guitars. It’s far less a solo and more a howling of hatred and despair wrenched from the gut. A fitting tonic to a week that witnessed more evidence of Johnson’s contempt for us all.

Trippy and tribal, The Shed Project continues to expand their sound on this offering. Rock ‘n’ roll, for so long has been about youth culture. What The Shed Project have proven is, it should be about rebel culture. Their true outsider status proves the future is always unwritten!

The Shed Project – If You’re Getting Busy (You’re Getting Better)

Bolton outfit The Shed Project released their latest single ‘If You’re Getting Busy (You’re Getting Better)’ last week. It’s the debut single from their forthcoming second album, which is due for release on August 23rd.  The single has been made in conjunction with the mental health charity Whysup.

Last time out on ‘If You Know You Know’, they were in a riotous mood. Here, the ‘Love Spreads’ and ‘Begging You’ licks subside, allowing their debut album's indie soul to re-emerge better than ever on this tale of mental health and addiction issues.

Frontman Roy Fletcher’s vocal slots into the delicate psychedelia made prominent by Northside’s Dermo in the early 90s. Fletcher’s angelic delivery lends this personal tale an extra layer of integrity. As he decrees the song’s title, his soft, almost fragile vocal carries a personal wait of experience that demands attention.

Coupled with it are the band’s finest guitars to date. With hints of the ‘Mighty Quinn’, ‘Walk On The Wild Side’ and the country soul of ‘Urban Hymns’, the band have touched upon a more universal sonic to light up this deeply personal narrative.

The run-up to their second album will have fans drooling in anticipation after this offering.

The Shed Project – If You Know You Know

The Shed Project returned last Friday with their new single ‘If You Know You Know’ via One Love Records. It comes hot on the heels of their debut album ‘The Curious Mind Of A Common Man’ which only came out in April. Album number two is underway, how does the new sound fair?

They may have formed in the garden, but with guitar power like this, they’ll end on big stages. The expansive sonic of Squire’s ‘It’s Begging You’ is given the snarl and hiss of ‘Be Here Now’. Crucially, unlike the latter, The Shed Project have honed its power by keeping it under four minutes.

Despite the ‘Second Coming’-esque power, their baggy spirit hasn’t dissipated. As the hedonistic riffs strive for the heavens Roy Fletcher’s vocals float alongside to anchor their roots. Fletcher could be forgiven for delivering a more ethereal vocal alongside the heavy psychedelia, more interestingly though, he takes his early Tim Burgess-esque style towards the early raw punk spirit of Liam Gallagher with hints of Daltrey circa ‘I Can See For Miles’.

The hate, the anger, and the lack of agency we all feel toward these incompetent and corrupt energy companies posting record profits pour out of the Cream-esque crescendo guitars in the closing stages. It’s the perfect tonic for the masses to release their angst at a world going to shit!

Be sure to catch them at K Festival in Rhyl on August 6th

Click image for tickets.

The Shed Project - The Curious Mind of a Common Man

Bolton five-piece The Shed Project released their debut album ‘The Curious Mind of a Common Man’ recently. The album was recorded at Bolton’s Ivy Studio and produced by (and mixed) by Danny Hayes (The Jade Assembly).

The album is available to buy via One Love Records.

This debut album comes in two parts essentially. The groove-laden and the ultra-personal. ‘Modern Way’, ‘One Shot’, and ‘Temptation’ fall into the first category to give the album some real gloss.

‘Modern Way’ takes the warming glow of the Allman Brothers solos to the hedonistic drugged-up John Squire circa ‘Second Coming’. The clash of baggy and rock ‘n’ roll is the perfect accompaniment for this tale of awakening and political outlying. ‘One Shot’ pays homage to ‘Country Song’ and Brain Dead’ via the Roses. The Shed Project is intent on stamping their mark on history though and, through an urgent, almost violent need to defy, they deliver a no-nonsense attitude to keep these tracks current. The guitars and backing vocals glide through the air with a sense of danger as frontman Roy Fletcher lays out his clarion call. Meanwhile, ‘Temptation’ taps into the underdogs and underrated baggy-era bands Northside and New Automatic Fast Daffodils. The grooves are effortless but, their penchant for spikiness allows nuggets of A Certain Ratio and The Fall to add funkier and harder edges.

It’s on the tracks ‘Sal’, ‘Luck Number’, and ‘My Life’ where the album comes together. The former is a hazy Kurt Vile via DMA’s ode to his loved one. It’s The Streets with guitars, and, like Mike Skinner, those jarring moments are the real beauty. ‘Lucky Number’, seemingly the prequel to ‘Sal’, lights up the album with romantic hope. The c86 sound is given the human interest it deserves as early Wolfhounds and Sarah records unite to produce a great anthem. ‘My Life’ however, is the album’s shining light. Afflecks Palace lysergic beauty collides with Style Council’s summer adventures. Nostalgia is the foe of so many guitar bands but as Burke sings “be who you arrrreeee” and the Marr and McGuinn guitars glisten, they paint to show how their past can be the future for new generations.

The guitars will inevitably lure people in. The licks of ‘Livin’ are so infectious its medically advisable to wear gloves when listening. It is though, vocally and lyrically where the real rewards come. What at first, seems too direct become astute in the moment observations upon return visits. There’s so much to admire on the UK scene right now, Afflecks Palace, Pastel, The Institutes and The Utopiates have all found new ways to reignite the greats from the 80s and 90s and now, the Shed Project have firmly added themselves to that list.

*Images courtesy of the Simon Lee & David Sangster