Shed Seven were a Britpop band formed in York, England in 1990, comprising originally of Rick Witter ( vocals), Joe Johnson ( guitar and keyboards), Tom Gladwin ( bass guitar) and Alan Leach ( drums). Johnson left in 1993 to be replaced by Paul Banks. Shortly therafter they signed to Polydor Records in 1993, releasing debut single "Mark" / "Casino Girl". It failed to make the UK Top 40, but follow-up "Dolphin" did, reaching number 28. The band were originally labelled by the NME as being New Wave of New Wave.
Other hits include "Speakeasy", "Getting Better", "Disco Down", live favourite "Chasing Rainbows" and their biggest hit "Going For Gold" which reached number 8 in the UK charts. Paul Banks left the band acrimoniously in December 1999. He was replaced by original guitarist Joe Johnson (who left the group in 1993), and part time keyboard player, Fraser Smith, was added to the line up permanently.
Shed Seven enjoyed their greatest popularity in the United Kingdom, Australia and Japan. The band released 4 studio albums ( Change Giver, A Maximum High, Let It Ride and Truth be Told), as well as a live album ( Where Have You Been Tonight? Live), a Greatest Hits compilation ( Going for Gold) and album tracks and B-sides compilation ( The Collection).
The band split in December 2003 after a farewell tour, finishing in their home town of York.
After much pressure from the fans, the band released in a limited run of 1000, One Hand Clapping, featuring demos of the songs that were to have been have made up the band's fifth album.
Former lead singer Rick Witter began a solo career with new band, Rick Witter & The Dukes, in 2005. The band played several gigs in Scotland as well as two sold out shows in York shortly before Christmas of the same year.
