Listen to … Lonesome Dead – Greatest Hits
Despite the name, debut EP holds plenty of promise for the future.
Image credit: Lonesome Dead press release
I love a name that toys with convention. Enter Greatest Hits: the debut EP from Sheffield punk rock trio Lonesome Dead. Don’t let the name, presentation or brooding and introspective lyrics fool you. The band certainly has its tongue firmly in its cheek.
A creative endeavour forged from lockdown, you might have seen them peppered on gig posters around the Steel City as they amass an increasing number of support slots. Now with their newfound identity in hand, they’ve brought Greatest Hits kicking and screaming into the world. Well, I say kicking and screaming …
It’s a unique sound they’ve mustered; though naturally, the band will rediscover and redefine what that sound is. Their aesthetic, writing and vibe belies – or so you’d think – a presentation akin to the modern day melancholy that’s truly embedded within post-punk these days. But that’s not entirely the case.
There’s a hint of optimism that permeates even the most morose of tracks. The opener – All I Am Are These Bones – sums up the EP nicely. The song’s distinctly punk overtones are undeniable, but they’re paired with a smidge of brightness; both in its guitar and vocals. The result? A real sense of emotional depth.
Image credit: Lonesome Dead press release
It’s a sentiment that’s replicated in the closing number – We Stand On Their Shoulders – too. The most barbed track on the EP, its purpose is distinct: an ode to hard-fought victories won by those who came before us. Think of it – as the band outlines – as a tribute to the necessities we’ve fought for: your holidays, our green spaces, or the NHS. When there’s a heartwarming film made of the downfall of the current government, this would make a fitting accompaniment.
Dead Town – naturally – takes their sound in a more defined direction; a track with sombre highs that lure you in. I can picture the music video now; a fitting soundtrack to some of the soon-to-be-gentrified scapes across Sheffield.
By now, you might be realising that this EP isn’t all power chords and endless distortion. Move on to Devil Birds, and you’ll see what I mean. It sounds like a track that came together naturally – a sentiment reflected by the band themselves. For the sake of its just over two-minute runtime, give this one a listen yourself.
What I didn’t expect – and this is indicative of the band’s growing, emotionally-conscious identity – was a shoutout to the Common Swift and how you can help their drastic decline. I’ll follow Lonesome Dead’s lead here and ask you to find out more about them.
Though the band has room to grow, the reflection put into their lyrics alone is worth praising; and that’s not to diminish their efforts whatsoever. Give the trio time to further forge their identity and sound, and keep a keen eye out on what lies ahead. Greatest Hits is unexpected, emotionally tumultous and offers plenty for listeners to unpack. I’d encourage you to dive in and see what you find.
Catch the band in person at Tramlines Fringe – on Friday 21 July at Sidney & Matilda, then on Saturday 22 July at West Street Live. Do check out Lonesome Dead’s Instagram – and our own, while you’re at it.