Bromheads Jacket
Rob Webb - 15/12/06
What's in a name? If you're Bromheads Jacket, lots of unnecessary speculation. Let's put an end to it once and for all...
Rob Webb - 15/12/06
What's in a name? If you're Bromheads Jacket, lots of unnecessary speculation. Let's put an end to it once and for all...
Contrary to popular belief, this Sheffield trio aren't named after Michael Caine's character in seminal 60s flick Zulu, it's actually related to a story involving drummer Dan Potter's pet hamster. The poor thing lost its fur, they made it a jacket. Simple, not to mention appropriate considering the back-to-basics nature of the band's astute lyrical observations and energetic live show.
Tonight, The Leadmill is awash with crowdsurfing bodies all revelling in Tim Hampton's tales about life as a youngster in the noughties and the speed-punk the trio crank out to back them up. Let's get another thing straight, though, before anybody mentions the 'A' word: Hampton's lyrics might share the same everyman appeal as a certain other young Sheffield resident's, but musically Bromheads are a totally different proposition to any of the Steel City's other, more feted, outfits.

For a start they draw more influence from old school punk, and even speed metal, than they do from their contemporaries' oeuvre. Oh, and none of them are actually from Sheffield. You wouldn't necessarily describe Bromheads as indie, either, sharing as they do more in common with the lyrical approach of British rappers like Mike Skinner and Plan B. Their live sound is stripped down to the max, utilising just the raw ingredients of guitar, drums and bass - for fans of analogies, I'd say it's a bit like watching The Streets playing Black Flag covers.
They're another Sheffield group who inspire devotion, though, and in some cases obsession - a Myspace page was recently set up in honour of the moustache Hampton has been sporting. Some might say this isn't sane behaviour, but since when did band worship ever conform to expected norms? As yet another body is catapulted over the barrier and into the arms of security, it's easy to see why Bromheads appeal to so many. Whatever the logic behind the name, they're pulling off the ever-more-difficult trick of making the mundane sound interesting.
Don't miss out on secret gig tickets, signed merchandise and red stripe offers
Your Comments
No comments have yet been posted. Why don't you be the first!
Add your Comment
Only say it if it's worth saying. We'll have to to remove anything that doesn't fit the bill.
You must be logged in to post comments:
Login Register