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Shed Seven are a U.K. alt-rock combo who first gained notice in the mid-'90s at the height of the Brit-pop boom. Their melodic, post-Smiths sound and energetic live shows helped turn them into a reliable hit-making act. Following their debut album, Change Giver, they notched a string of hits like "Getting Better," "Ocean Pie," and "Going for Gold." By the decade's end, they were no longer signed to a major and went on to release one more album, 2001's Truth Be Told, before disbanding. A 2007 reunion and a live BBC album sparked renewed interest in Shed Seven, though it was another decade before they returned to the studio. 2017's Instant Pleasures was a Top Ten hit and the band kept the ball rolling with a 2024 follow-up, A Matter of Time.

Shed Seven officially formed in York, England in 1991, although frontman Rick Witter, guitarist Paul Banks, bassist Tom Gladwin, and drummer Alan Leach first began collaborating while still in their teens. Signing to Polydor in 1994, the band's debut single, "Mark"/"Casino Girl," garnered little attention, but their second effort, "Dolphin," reached the U.K. Top 30. After another charting single, "Speakeasy," the band issued their debut LP, Change Giver, which peaked at number 16 on its way to gold status. Despite mixed reviews, Shed Seven's career was on the ascent with subsequent singles including "Where Have You Been Lately?" and "Ocean Pie" continuing to chart. While American success was not forthcoming, the quartet became a surprise sensation in Thailand. Heralded by hits like "Getting Better" and "Going for Gold," 1996's Maximum High earned stronger reviews than its predecessor, and Shed Seven enjoyed their first Top Ten berth, peaking at number eight. They were at the peak of their success, and after spending much of the next two years on the road, the band returned in 1998 with Let It Ride, another Top Ten entry, buoyed by the hit "Chasing Rainbows." Despite its performance, Polydor was hoping for a bigger success and convinced Shed Seven to release a greatest-hits compilation. Padded by a pair of re-recorded songs along with two new ones, 1999's Going for Gold proved to be their final release for the label, which dropped them not long afterward.

Shed Seven soldiered on into the new decade, bearing a retooled lineup that saw Banks replaced by Joe Johnson, their original guitarist from the early '90s. Released on indie label Artful, 2001's Truth Be Told failed to make a splash and they again switched labels, this time to Taste Records. A single "Why Can't I Be You?" and the live effort Where Have You Been Tonight? Live were both released in 2003 and, following a farewell tour, Shed Seven disbanded at the end of the year.

A handful of compilations appeared over the next few years including a collection of rarities and demos, and in 2007, the band reunited, bringing Banks back into the fold alongside Johnson for a tour that produced the Live at the BBC set. Things went quiet for another decade before Shed Seven was revived in late 2017 with the announcement of a new studio album, their first in 16 years. Produced by Youth and released by BMG, Instant Pleasures had a hard-rocking, bluesy sound. Its release coincided with the launch of the band's very own beer, and their biggest-ever U.K. tour. It also returned them to the Top Ten, with a number eight placement.

Another long break preceded their sixth album. Working again with Youth, Shed Seven sought a more nostalgic, back-to-basics approach for A Matter of Time, which arrived at the beginning of 2024. Featuring new members Tim Wills and Rob Maxfield, it was their first release for Cooking Vinyl and coincided with the 30th anniversary of their debut album. Later that same year, they kept the anniversary ball rolling with the orchestra-backed re-recordings album Liquid Gold. ~ Jason Ankeny