When I came to Sheffield, I got told that people had said it was the largest village in the country. This (for those that don’t know) is one of the biggest cities in the country. Rubbish I thought on arriving here, but since then I have found it to be one of my favourite cities I have ever been to, and there is this feeling that everyone knows each other and an almost rural feel about the place, even just outside the city centre.
Take Blood Sports for example. Born all over the place, the band Nick Potter on Vocals/Bass, Alex Keegan on Guitar and Sam Parkin on Drums met at University here in the city, and stayed. More importantly, whilst here they started making this experimental sort of droney rock, with a definite nod towards Afrobeat that has made them a favourite of (because of course they all know each other) fellow Sheffield bands Drenge and Wet Nuns.
They’re debut album, Life in Units, is coming out on 9th September on their own label, Hybrid Vigour records, and from it they’ve previewed this track, Palomar. It’s 7″20 of swirling, psychedelic, droney, all loops and reverb with a healthy dose of their afro style guitar playing, the bass sometimes doubling the melodic lines that gives it a real flavour of Africa. Or at least a view of Africa from South Yorkshire. It’s got this sort of intoxicating quality, that puts its arm round you, and takes you on some kind of cosmic journey.
I don’t know Blood Sport, but if this is what’s coming with the rest of the album, it’s going to be a hell of a ride. I’ll probably run into them at the post office or something later, so I’ll tell them.
In support of the albums release, you can catch Blood Sport around the country. Dates below.
07th Sept – BRISTOL – Start The Bus
11th Sept – LEICESTER – The Cookie Jar (w/ God Damn)
12th Sept – CARDIFF – Four Bars
13th Sept – LONDON – Powerlunches
14th Sept – PORTSMOUTH – Southsea Festival
15th Sept – BRIGHTON – The Hope
18th Sept – LEEDS – Wharf Chambers
20th Sept – MANCHESTER – Gullivers
21st Sept – SHEFFIELD – Penelopes
3rd Oct – NOTTINGHAM – JT Soar Warehouse
https://www.facebook.com/bloodsportband
http://www.bloodsportband.tumblr.com
http://www.bloodsport.bandcamp.com
http://www.myspace.com/bloodsportsheffield
http://twitter.com/Blood_Sport
.
