Shed Seven - Going for Gold
by Richard Lewis
published: 23 / 2 / 2020

Label:
Select Label
Format: N/A
intro
Richard Lewis examines Britpop act Shed Seven's Greatest Hits compilation 'Going for Gold', which, originally released in 1999, has just been reissued in a new double CD edition with additional studio sessions and live tracks.
A near-ubiquitous presence on the radio, ‘Top of the Pops’ and ‘TFI Friday’ in the mid to late nineties, Shed Seven have outlasted their more fêted contemporaries in impressive fashion. Building their profile through biennial ‘Shedcember’ Winter tours over the past decade, the group have become a huge live draw. A combination of Smiths and Sundays guitar jangle with a smidgen of the Stones’ swagger, topped with Rick Witter’s stentorian vocals. Their 1994-99 run of singles featured here showcases the period when they were seemingly glued onto the Top 40. Kept at arm’s length by the music press who instead preferred to award front covers to the remembered only by Google likes of Gene, S*M*A*S*H, and These Animal Men, the York outfit’s material has aged well. Originally released in 1999 and pepped up here with additional studio sessions and live tracks, the set marks the point where the Sheds’ commercial fortunes along with the rest of the Britpop pack severely declined. While their most famous songs, ‘Going for Gold’ and ‘Chasing Rainbows’ underline their knack at anthemic balladry, the spikier cuts here ‘Speakeasy’, ‘Dolphin’ and the Smiths-ian stampede of ‘Mark’ stand out as their strongest moments. Led by Witter’s best bellowing sung/spoken Shaun Ryder impersonation ‘She Left Me On Friday’ is a successful attempt at a lopsided Happy Mondays groove. ‘Ocean Pie’, despite the group’s denials to the contrary tackled the (then) taboo subject of heroin (the cover photo was of a bloke passed out over a sink), while the wall of sound guitars of ‘Getting Better’ and the vicious swirl of ‘Where Have You Been Tonight?’ retain their energy. With the demand for this collection on vinyl and their first album in over fifteen years, ‘Instant Pleasures’ cracking the Top 10 in 2017, these self-deprecating Britpop survivors surely won’t be retiring any time soon.
Track Listing:-
Band Links:-
https://www.shedseven.com/https://www.facebook.com/shedseven/
https://twitter.com/shedseven
https://www.instagram.com/shedsevenofficial
Have a Listen:-
Picture Gallery:-


live reviews |
Mountford Hall, Liverpool University, Liverpool, 21/11/2024 |
![]() |
Richard Lewis watches Britpop survivors Shed Seven round off the year with a raucous victory lap tour |
Alexandra Palace, London, 30/11/2007 |
reviews |
A Matter of Time (2024) |
![]() |
Infectiously enthusiastic first album in seven years from 90’s Britpop act Shed Seven |
most viewed articles
current edition
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Liz Mitchell - Interview
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Lauren Mayberry - Photoscapes
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
Garfunkel and Garfunkel Jr. - Interview
Maarten Schiethart - Vinyl Stories
Clive Langer - Interview
Sukie Smith - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPBoomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Doris Brendel - Interview
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Kay Russell - Interview with Kay Russell
Pulp - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Barrie Barlow - Interview
Sound - Interview with Bi Marshall Part 1
most viewed reviews
current edition
Davey Woodward - Mumbo in the JumboNigel Stonier - Wolf Notes
Wings - Venus and Mars
Kate Daisy Grant and Nick Pynn - Songs For The Trees
Only Child - Holy Ghosts
Neil Campbell - The Turnaround
Philip Jeays - Victoria
Darkness - Dreams On Toast
Suzanne Vega - Flying With Angels
Charles Ellsworth - Cosmic Cannon Fodder
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart