Skeletons and the Empty Pockets - Oh Brother, Oh Sister

by Adrian Huggins

published: 13 / 8 / 2009

Skeletons and the Empty Pockets - Oh Brother, Oh Sister

Label: Too Pure
Format: 7"

Energetic debut single released on the Too Pure Singles Club from Sheffield-based five piece Skeletons and the Empty Pockets, who have risen from the ashes of much acclaimed metal act ThisGirl

Review

This is the debut single from Sheffield five piece Skeletons and the Empty Pockets. Although they have only really been active for around a year, they are the resurrection of Sheffield, or more accurately Rotherham-based band ThisGirl. Clearly not wanting to ride their past coat tails too much, Skeletons and the Empty Pockets are clearly trying to establish themselves as a whole new group. I am, however, really excited to be writing about them as ThisGirl were one of my favourite bands. Ever. To cut a long story short I worked at a rehearsal studio briefly for a while where they rehearsed and sometimes recorded so was first introduced to them via that link. It also turned out we had mutual friends along the way, but that’s mostly irrelevant. As a late teenager they were, however, the first band I knew of who really ‘went somewhere’ and I always have and still find this inspiring. They were not super stars or from vastly different backgrounds to myself and in fact went to school with some of my mates. They just worked their backsides off and seemed to push at every opportunity. Doing 100+ gigs a year from the start, they quickly established themselves as one of the most exciting, up and coming bands of their era emerging at around the same time as the likes of Lost Prophets, Funeral For Friend and Hundred Reasons. It’s obvious that this new period is set to take them even further. Instantly more catchy than their old band's sound the addition of keyboard player Matt Jones has given them a really jazzy and playful edge. While not standing out from the music it, however, slots in nicely. With ‘Oh Brother, Oh Sister’ the band have really been able to capture the live feeling of their shows of old and new. By far one of the most energetic live acts I’ve ever seen, they now seem to have the right sound and vibe to replicate the feeling you get seeing them live and this is a real step up. Frontman Liam Creamer sings in a much more pronounced and confident way and that seems to mimic his live demeanour much more closely. With guitarist Chris Sheperd’s parts being a lot more free flowing and not as heavy, the songs here seem to be led by the melody and the rhythm rather than the riffs. Bassist Matthew Westley and drummer Ryan Jenkinson are a formidable rhythm section, who really seem to have grown into the bands new sounds brilliantly. A lot more poppier the band wipe the floor with so many of their peers with the blend of energy and songwriting that see a much more instantly accessible sound than their previous conception, without loosing a drop of the magic which made them so special all the years ago. These guys are very much worth checking out, I am extremely excited to hear more from a band who earned and still hopefully enjoy a thoroughly loyal and loving fanbase. If this single is anything to go by, their forthcoming long player will be a great album.