Dead Shed Jokers
We were recently contacted by Hywel, lead singer of Cardiff based Dead Shed Jokers. They put us onto their album, Peyote Smile to see what we thought, and being the ever helpful bunch we are, we jumped on board to see what was going on. Having already received some pretty glowing reviews, I reckon this is going to be one hell of an album to check out!
Opening with Is This Your Life there’s an immediate sense that these guys know what they’re doing, opening with an urgent and hammering guitar line before launching into a fast paced melee of guitars, vocals, bass and drums. Fast and powerful, this is the sort of music which is going to get you moving as soon as it gets going whether you’ve heard it before or not, it’s got that sound which is impossible to resist and immediately pulls you in. Served follows much the same conventions, this time dropping the intro guitar line for a drum line but soon throwing out a soaring lead line to really show of what they can do. Once again keeping a sense of pace and rhythm flowing through everything, this second track on the album secures this is a hell of a debut album, and one which you need to make sure you check out.
Moving on to Interesting Point But… , there’s a marked change in the progression of the album, this time slowing things down and opening in a more off beat manner. The sense here is more upbeat and fun, yet at the same time dark and mysterious, coming as a shock after the all-out approach of earlier tracks. Soon enough though we’re back on the build-up and the mix begins to take full form, sounding like a combination of mid 90’s indie music and more modern rock, a mix which they’ve managed to achieve with aplomb. As Jericho comes around though we’re returned to the world of distorted power, stopping the power before it becomes overbearing and instead adding in the power to really hammer the track home. Once again adding in a sense of urgency through the fast paced vocals, this is another track which really stands out as a highpoint on the album, and a track which you need to make sure you check out. Give it a couple of listens and you’ll be singing along to the chorus as well….this is a seriously catchy track. It’s striking then when Jack The Lad follows on and once again slows everything down, adopting a more acoustic beat and changing the style of music to one which is more reflective, more atmospheric and yet somehow, equally as powerful as the more vicious tracks. Incorporating numerous elements such as soft guitars, a harmonica line and softened vocals, this track stands out as a slower and more relaxed moment, yet I would class it as one of my personal favourites from the selection, there’s just something about it.
Means To An End is another change in style, this time returning to the powerful approach but with more aggression and more power, the sound further accentuated by the softer track before it. Combining a massive vocal line with a hammering guitar backing, this track packs one hell of a punch and has to be crafted for the live scene, it’s going to get crowds chanting along and joining in from the off. Peculiar Pastimes continues the all-out approach, once again demonstrating that this is a band who can do hard and can do soft, and do both equally as well. Once again managing to incorporate catchiness into their power, this track may be one of the more off beat tracks on the album, yet it still manages to stand up to the expectations created so far. Magic Teatime continues the off-piste approach, this time opening soft but gradually building up through an almost Southern Rock style riff. Another track which has been crafted for the live scene, this is one which is sure to get crowds chanting, venues pumping and more and more people going to their shows.
Tabloid Hangover is a particular highpoint on the album, this time launching us into a hammering melee designed to get everyone moving once again. Combining a hammering riff with a soaring lead line, this track adopts a whole new level as it plays out, all the time keeping you guessing as to what’s going to happen next but all the time letting you know that it’s all good. Too Quick For Comfort on the other hand removes us from the fast and raucous approach and returns us to the softer sounds of the band, this time leading the way in through a softened guitar line and some faded vocals. The mix created here is an intriguing one, moving from the soft into a funky and upbeat mix which in turn allows contrasts to form in your head, continuing to keep you guessing as to what is going to come next. I really like how the guys manage to combine the different elements seamlessly, at no point making anything sound out of place or wrong. The Knot follows much the same conventions, once again opening softly and allowing the music to simply flow out of the speakers. There’s something incredibly reflective about this track, almost as if its there to give you a moment to consider what’s happened so far, allowing you to sit back and simply let the music wash over you. Showcasing their various sounds throughout the track, this another track which I would count amongst my favourites over all, it’s almost like a sampler of what they can do when they put their mind to it.
Penultimate track Monkey Song leaves no doubt that this is a band who can turn their hand to pretty much anything they choose, this time launching us into a funk fuelled mix of roving guitar lines, story style vocals and a funky rhythm section. Once again suggesting that this is music which is going to truly be appreciated on the live scene, there’s no doubt left in my mind that this is a band I need to get out there and check out. It’s only left to Means To An End (A Reprise) to close the album, leading out in a chilled out style and demonstrating once again that this is a band that will keep you guessing, finishing on a relaxed note and leaving you wanting more, closing in style.
Dead Shed Jokers may not give away a lot of information about themselves, but their album does all of the talking that’s really needed. From start to finish there are different styles, different approaches, and different moments, all of which keep you guessing and keep you involved. For a debut album, this is quite frankly stunning, offering up moment of musical genius which few bands would be brave enough to attempt, so in short, check them out!
To find out more about Dead Shed Jokers, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Opening with Is This Your Life there’s an immediate sense that these guys know what they’re doing, opening with an urgent and hammering guitar line before launching into a fast paced melee of guitars, vocals, bass and drums. Fast and powerful, this is the sort of music which is going to get you moving as soon as it gets going whether you’ve heard it before or not, it’s got that sound which is impossible to resist and immediately pulls you in. Served follows much the same conventions, this time dropping the intro guitar line for a drum line but soon throwing out a soaring lead line to really show of what they can do. Once again keeping a sense of pace and rhythm flowing through everything, this second track on the album secures this is a hell of a debut album, and one which you need to make sure you check out.
Moving on to Interesting Point But… , there’s a marked change in the progression of the album, this time slowing things down and opening in a more off beat manner. The sense here is more upbeat and fun, yet at the same time dark and mysterious, coming as a shock after the all-out approach of earlier tracks. Soon enough though we’re back on the build-up and the mix begins to take full form, sounding like a combination of mid 90’s indie music and more modern rock, a mix which they’ve managed to achieve with aplomb. As Jericho comes around though we’re returned to the world of distorted power, stopping the power before it becomes overbearing and instead adding in the power to really hammer the track home. Once again adding in a sense of urgency through the fast paced vocals, this is another track which really stands out as a highpoint on the album, and a track which you need to make sure you check out. Give it a couple of listens and you’ll be singing along to the chorus as well….this is a seriously catchy track. It’s striking then when Jack The Lad follows on and once again slows everything down, adopting a more acoustic beat and changing the style of music to one which is more reflective, more atmospheric and yet somehow, equally as powerful as the more vicious tracks. Incorporating numerous elements such as soft guitars, a harmonica line and softened vocals, this track stands out as a slower and more relaxed moment, yet I would class it as one of my personal favourites from the selection, there’s just something about it.
Means To An End is another change in style, this time returning to the powerful approach but with more aggression and more power, the sound further accentuated by the softer track before it. Combining a massive vocal line with a hammering guitar backing, this track packs one hell of a punch and has to be crafted for the live scene, it’s going to get crowds chanting along and joining in from the off. Peculiar Pastimes continues the all-out approach, once again demonstrating that this is a band who can do hard and can do soft, and do both equally as well. Once again managing to incorporate catchiness into their power, this track may be one of the more off beat tracks on the album, yet it still manages to stand up to the expectations created so far. Magic Teatime continues the off-piste approach, this time opening soft but gradually building up through an almost Southern Rock style riff. Another track which has been crafted for the live scene, this is one which is sure to get crowds chanting, venues pumping and more and more people going to their shows.
Tabloid Hangover is a particular highpoint on the album, this time launching us into a hammering melee designed to get everyone moving once again. Combining a hammering riff with a soaring lead line, this track adopts a whole new level as it plays out, all the time keeping you guessing as to what’s going to happen next but all the time letting you know that it’s all good. Too Quick For Comfort on the other hand removes us from the fast and raucous approach and returns us to the softer sounds of the band, this time leading the way in through a softened guitar line and some faded vocals. The mix created here is an intriguing one, moving from the soft into a funky and upbeat mix which in turn allows contrasts to form in your head, continuing to keep you guessing as to what is going to come next. I really like how the guys manage to combine the different elements seamlessly, at no point making anything sound out of place or wrong. The Knot follows much the same conventions, once again opening softly and allowing the music to simply flow out of the speakers. There’s something incredibly reflective about this track, almost as if its there to give you a moment to consider what’s happened so far, allowing you to sit back and simply let the music wash over you. Showcasing their various sounds throughout the track, this another track which I would count amongst my favourites over all, it’s almost like a sampler of what they can do when they put their mind to it.
Penultimate track Monkey Song leaves no doubt that this is a band who can turn their hand to pretty much anything they choose, this time launching us into a funk fuelled mix of roving guitar lines, story style vocals and a funky rhythm section. Once again suggesting that this is music which is going to truly be appreciated on the live scene, there’s no doubt left in my mind that this is a band I need to get out there and check out. It’s only left to Means To An End (A Reprise) to close the album, leading out in a chilled out style and demonstrating once again that this is a band that will keep you guessing, finishing on a relaxed note and leaving you wanting more, closing in style.
Dead Shed Jokers may not give away a lot of information about themselves, but their album does all of the talking that’s really needed. From start to finish there are different styles, different approaches, and different moments, all of which keep you guessing and keep you involved. For a debut album, this is quite frankly stunning, offering up moment of musical genius which few bands would be brave enough to attempt, so in short, check them out!
To find out more about Dead Shed Jokers, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls