26.12.2020

Sheffield: sound and style to fill the vacuum

Sheffield is a city of seven hills – rural, bleak and bursting with wavelengths of sound.

It cracked the codes of Northern post-punk but it purveyed more: blues, synth-pop, electronica, industrial, dance, techno, indie rock, baroque pop. The style in the city transitioned with the sound.

An integral timeline, in order of formation:

1963: DAVE BERRY. Sound: a basis of pop ballads injected with doses of the blues. Style: slim-fit mod blazers, knitted ties, continental collared shirts. Way before Goodfellas.

 

1973 : CABARET VOLTAIRE. Sound:experimental electronica, a pioneer for British industrial music. Style:English counterparts to Kraftwerk. Sharp black shirts. Bright white ties.

 

1977: THE HUMAN LEAGUE. Sound: a masterful merge of synthesisers and pop melodies – later entering Heaven 17. Style: streamlined silhouettes. Zero colour. Avant-garde eyeliner.

 

1978: ARTERY. Sound: artsy post-punk driven by infectious bass lines. Style: lambswool v-necks loosely tucked into straight black jeans. Motorcycle jackets on top. Motorcycle jackets on top.

 

1978: PULP. Sound:disco-influenced pop-rock lyricised by kitchen sink realism. Style:spindly spectacles, velvet suits, striped shirts, leather boots. Courtesy of Jarvis Cocker: a modern dandy.

 

1980: CLOCK DVA. Sound: abrasive technological noise in praise of Anthony Burgess. Style: concealed by graphics, single-breasted blazers and leather footwear. A sartorial cul-de-sac.

 

1980: ABC. Sound:catchy compositions that turned glam rock into dance-pop. Style:classic tailored bases complete with contemporary blazers. Often jacquard – a symbol of the 80s.

 

2006: ARCTIC MONKEYS. Sound:indie rock dipped in modernised sensibilities of Pulp.Style: worn-in pumps, washed jeans, polo shirts, Fred Perry cardigans, zip-up parkas. Sometimes a pea coat. Confidently British.

 

2008: THE LAST SHADOW PUPPETS. Sound: Scott Walker meets David Bowie in a half Sheffield, half Liverpool hatch of baroque pop. Style: skinny suits, black boots, open shirts. Outrageously classic.

HUSBANDS

Suits
Sheffield in 1981 by John Davies

Sheffield in 1981 by John Davies

The Age of the Understatement by The Last Shadow Puppets, 2008

The Age of the Understatement by The Last Shadow Puppets, 2008

Whatever people say I am, that’s what I’m not by Arctic Monkeys, 2006

Whatever people say I am, that’s what I’m not by Arctic Monkeys, 2006

Arctic Monkeys by Dean Chalkley, in front of The Boardwalk, Sheffield, 2005

Arctic Monkeys by Dean Chalkley, in front of The Boardwalk, Sheffield, 2005

Clock DVA by Pete Hillin, Sheffield

Clock DVA by Pete Hillin, Sheffield

ABC by Pete Hill, Sheffield, 1981

ABC by Pete Hill, Sheffield, 1981

The Human League, by Simon Fowler

The Human League, by Simon Fowler

Jarvis Cocker, 1983

Jarvis Cocker, 1983

Cabaret Voltaire by Pete Hill, Sheffield, 1978

Cabaret Voltaire by Pete Hill, Sheffield, 1978

Pulp by Richard Weedon, 1996

Pulp by Richard Weedon, 1996

Different Class by Pulp, 1995

Different Class by Pulp, 1995