Released on 13th August, Sheffield’s brightest post/punk hopes step-up the stakes with one of their most engrossing cuts to date.
“Behind the face, scenarios no one can see” hisses frontman Lawrence Feenstra in a track that puts humanity’s voyeuristic people-watching habits under a closer lens.
Speaking about the track, SHEAFS say:
“Spectator is one of the most recent songs we’ve written. Even from the roughest of demos, we thought something special and captivating was there. It’s written with the idea of ‘people watching’ and playing the role of a spectator. The idea of looking at someone and not knowing who or how they truly are.”
Written during the first lockdown, “Spectator” is haunted by the shadowy presence of the period; its overarching mood and ominous underbelly palpable throughout.
Marking a significant shift in gear for the Yorkshire five piece, “Spectator” is fluid, progressive and dark to the core. Reminiscent of Bauhaus of early Cure, as reverb drenched guitars dual and clash, its seismic rhythms lead stealth-like time shifts destined to catch the listener off-guard. One of their most complex recordings to date, “Spectator” was created with two-time Grammy award-winning producer Adrian Bushby (Foo Fighters, Muse). Christian Wright at Abbey Road Studios also provided final mastering.
“Spectator” is the first new music to emerge from SHEAFS since their acclaimed debut EP, “Vox Pop”, which was released in March 2020. Produced by Dead Nature/Spring King talent Tarek Musa and Jonathan Hucks, it was an EP that witnessed a band finding their voice and realising their potential across 4 tracks that confronted frustrations with our consumerist world. Using the pandemic that has elapsed since, SHEAFS have spent the time wisely to plan their next move and laying the blueprint for what is expected to form their long awaited debut album.
Following a hometown appearance at Tramlines Festival in July, the band now look forward to resuming their electrifying duties on the live stage. Picking up their postponed support slots with The Slow Readers Club, SHEAFS will be joining the band on five of their UK tour dates in Sheffield, Liverpool, Nottingham, Cambridge, London and Leeds this Autumn. Full live dates and details below.
SHEAFS – 2021 TOUR DATES
Saturday 25th September – Slow Readers Support Sheffield
Monday 27th September – Slow Readers Support Liverpool
Sunday 3rd October – Slow Readers Support Nottingham
Tuesday 5th October – Slow Readers Support Birmingham
Wednesday 6th October – Slow Readers Support Cambridge
Tuesday 2nd November – London, The Grace
Sunday 7th November – Ghost Road Fest, Leeds (Belgrave Music Hall)
