December 2013
WHEN Shed Seven close their gig at Rock City tonight, it will be their tenth appearance at the venue. And frontman Rick Witter hopes there will be plenty more, because he’s going for gold.
“We want to beat that Spear of Destiny record,” says the 41-year-old.
“The last time we played Rock City we were all sat around in the dressing room after the soundcheck and we noticed there was a book listing every band that’s ever played there. We decided to see who had played there the most.
“On stage we turned it into a quiz and asked crowd who they thought it was.”
The record is held by Spear of Destiny, who have notched up 17 shows so far.
“We’ve got some catching up to do,” admits Witter, who is currently on a 13-date Greatest Hits tour with Shed Seven, where most dates are sold out.
“That’s on the strength of it being us, which is quite crazy really,” he says.
What he means is, there’s no record label, no new album and limited promotion for the band, who are self-sufficient these days.
“We are very fortunate that we have got a strong set of fans who still to this day know what they’re going to get from us,” says Witter, a father-of-six.
“When we reformed in 2007 it really was just for our own benefit. We wanted to go out and play live and have a bit of fun. We didn’t realise that it would snowball and we’d have to add extra dates and upgrade venues.
“It’s satisfying knowing that would we did in the Nineties actually meant something to people.”
From 1994 to 1999, the indie band from York notched up four Top 20 albums and 15 Top 40 singles, among them Going For Gold, Disco Down and Chasing Rainbows.
“People know that when they come and see us they’ll sing their hearts out, have a few drinks and go home happy.”
He adds: “And we’re better now than we’ve ever been, because there’s no pressure. There’s no-one to answer to apart from the people who pay money to come and see us.”
He has no problem with doing the hits rather than new songs but there is talk of some fresh material next year.
“But we don’t want to put too much pressure on ourselves,” he says, cautiously.
“The other guys in Shed Seven are busy doing other things as well and it was hard enough getting us all together to rehearse for this tour, never mind writing and recording a new album.”
“Actually, there’s no point in writing an album. We can write four really good songs, stick them on iTunes, do it all ourselves... that’s the way forward, really.
“Half the reason we split up in the first place was because of record company pressure. We didn’t want to fall out as friends.”
Outside of the band, Witter presents a two-hour indie show every Sunday evening on the York station, Minster FM.
“It’s something I’m looking to do more of because the two hours go so quick. I love doing it.”
He adds: “I’m enjoying everything I’m doing right now but it’s not that I’m loaded and everything is just for a laugh. I’ve got quite a big family and I have that stress of bringing the money in. I need to work.”
Witter has four children and two stepsons.
He says: “Life in that respect is really good and I wouldn’t change anything but it’s expensive.”
Shed Seven play Rock City tonight with Mark Morriss of The Bluetones supporting. Tickets are £19.50 from the venue, call 0845 413 4444 or go to alt-tickets.co.uk.
WHEN Shed Seven close their gig at Rock City tonight, it will be their tenth appearance at the venue. And frontman Rick Witter hopes there will be plenty more, because he’s going for gold.
“We want to beat that Spear of Destiny record,” says the 41-year-old.
“The last time we played Rock City we were all sat around in the dressing room after the soundcheck and we noticed there was a book listing every band that’s ever played there. We decided to see who had played there the most.
“On stage we turned it into a quiz and asked crowd who they thought it was.”
The record is held by Spear of Destiny, who have notched up 17 shows so far.
“We’ve got some catching up to do,” admits Witter, who is currently on a 13-date Greatest Hits tour with Shed Seven, where most dates are sold out.
“That’s on the strength of it being us, which is quite crazy really,” he says.
What he means is, there’s no record label, no new album and limited promotion for the band, who are self-sufficient these days.
“We are very fortunate that we have got a strong set of fans who still to this day know what they’re going to get from us,” says Witter, a father-of-six.
“When we reformed in 2007 it really was just for our own benefit. We wanted to go out and play live and have a bit of fun. We didn’t realise that it would snowball and we’d have to add extra dates and upgrade venues.
“It’s satisfying knowing that would we did in the Nineties actually meant something to people.”
From 1994 to 1999, the indie band from York notched up four Top 20 albums and 15 Top 40 singles, among them Going For Gold, Disco Down and Chasing Rainbows.
“People know that when they come and see us they’ll sing their hearts out, have a few drinks and go home happy.”
He adds: “And we’re better now than we’ve ever been, because there’s no pressure. There’s no-one to answer to apart from the people who pay money to come and see us.”
He has no problem with doing the hits rather than new songs but there is talk of some fresh material next year.
“But we don’t want to put too much pressure on ourselves,” he says, cautiously.
“The other guys in Shed Seven are busy doing other things as well and it was hard enough getting us all together to rehearse for this tour, never mind writing and recording a new album.”
“Actually, there’s no point in writing an album. We can write four really good songs, stick them on iTunes, do it all ourselves... that’s the way forward, really.
“Half the reason we split up in the first place was because of record company pressure. We didn’t want to fall out as friends.”
Outside of the band, Witter presents a two-hour indie show every Sunday evening on the York station, Minster FM.
“It’s something I’m looking to do more of because the two hours go so quick. I love doing it.”
He adds: “I’m enjoying everything I’m doing right now but it’s not that I’m loaded and everything is just for a laugh. I’ve got quite a big family and I have that stress of bringing the money in. I need to work.”
Witter has four children and two stepsons.
He says: “Life in that respect is really good and I wouldn’t change anything but it’s expensive.”
Shed Seven play Rock City tonight with Mark Morriss of The Bluetones supporting. Tickets are £19.50 from the venue, call 0845 413 4444 or go to alt-tickets.co.uk.
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