Sievehead and Their Cracking Post Punk Will Demolish You

The cover of Sievehead's second album Worthless Soul features a photo, taken by bassist Joe Singleton, of the demolition of Sheffield's The Grosvenor House Hotel. Opened in 1966 in preparation for Sheffield hosting a number of World Cup matches, the iconic landmark closed seven years ago and has literally fallen to the regeneration of Sheffield's city centre. The city of Sheffield - both the new and old - is an important part of Sievehead and their punk sound. The three piece were born and raised in local DIY space The Lughole, and with the releases of Into The Blue on Evil Hoodoo/Milk Run and their 'Buried Beneath' 7", they've become an integral part of a scene that is considered a key player in UK punk's resurgence.

Worthless Soul, released on London label Static Shock records continues Singleton, drummer and backing vocalist Bry Suddaby and singer and guitarist Dave Walker's delve into mid era Husker Du, The Wipers and early UK post punk, all filtered through a South Yorkshire accent.

We had a chat to Dave.

Noisey: Before the album was released how were you describing Worthless Soul to friends?

Dave Walker: Friends mainly asked how the writing of the record was progressing and my main answer would be "I'm just putting everything I have into it". I feel lucky to be doing any of the wild shit we get to do, to be writing tunes knowing that one day it will be an album was an awesome feeling.

What has the reaction been like? Do you think on the whole punks are as open to change in a band's sound as they think they are?

I wasn't aware of it being a change in our sound but some have said that it was but has since grown on them. But fuck knows, it's done, we're all chuffed with it and proud of it. We knew we were writing an album this time, unlike before where we just had eight songs, we were able to consider more avenues to explore. I had ideas for album tracks that wouldn't necessarily be able to be done live. I hope the variety makes it a more interesting listen. Punk is changing all the time, little trends come in and evaporate, styles are more prevalent than others at certain times, I don't think you'll find a more eclectic taste in music than a punks.

I'm really enjoying the track "Set the Tone In".

Thanks, I wrote that just after starting taking anti-depressants. The feeling of giving up on yourself and wondering do I really need to be fucking medicated? I denied that fact for a long time. I had to write some words as I was scared that I would be robbed of any creativity.

You have been to Canada, Scandinavia and Europe. Does having a release on a label like Static Shock open you up to a wider and more international audience?

I guess Tom from Static Shock is just really well connected with all the punks all over the shop. It's hard to explain to people at work etc. about how we get gigs in far flung places. It's definitely helped in many ways as it helps people hear our records more affordably.

Going to places like Toronto for Not Dead Yet you get to see how other scenes operate. How different are they from Sheffield?

Not so different, friends getting together to create something awesome for their hometown. It's a shame that Soybomb is no more, that was one of my all time favourite shows playing there at 3am. No bullshit, no egos for the most part, it's a unique atmosphere. People outside of the scene think there are no decent venues in Sheffield, we have at least three DIY spaces running at the minute, they keep this city alive for me and all the real ale pubs obviously. DIY is such a beautiful thing and I think the commonalities run throughout.

In the past you have mentioned the bleakness of Sheffield in the 80s. How bleak was it?

A city being stripped of its main export, families stripped of incomes, pretty bleak I imagine.

You are considered one of the more established bands in the Sheffield punk scene. Any emerging acts we should keep our eyes on.

Check out Community, Nachtexen and Shit Neck.

'Worthless Soul' is available now through Static Shock.