Following the sad news that Sheffield music staple The Leadmill had lost it’s final appeal, the venue announced a string of gigs to give it a reyt good send of, which is what us South Yorkshire lot do best, and of course, the ethos of Sheffield parody band – The Everly Pregnant Brothers – who made up one of the last shows on the bill with their album launch gig and party.
When I arrived into those all too familiar doors of the Leadmill, I got myself a can of their own Leadmill IPA and looked ahead to the support acts – Kier and Shanghai Treason, both Yorkshire-based musicians.
Starting with Kier though, what a bloody stunning voice, I’d heard briefly of Kier before and she honestly blew me away! Kier is a great mix of country, pop and dry-quick-witted humour all thrown together, it was quite easy to see why Everly Pregnant Brothers had chosen her to open, she oozes charisma, as did her guitarist, who was genuinely a joy to watch.
As well as some originals, like “Twenty-Something” – probably my favourite, due to it’s relatable charm, plus it was really easy to listen to, but she also did her own twist on Pulp’s “Disco 2000” – which was brilliant and also her own version of “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan, except changing lyrics to “Working Mens Club” – fully embodying the spirit of the Everly Pregnant Brothers humour.
It was a fantastic opening choice and so much fun to listen to – I look forward to seeing more of Kier in the near future.
FIND KIER ON INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // ONLINE
Next up was Shanghai Treason…
Again, a band I had heard of but never really had opportunity to listen to, until now at least anyway!
These guys were the perfect warm-up for the Everly Pregnant Brothers, they brought energy and plenty of it! Their sound is what I can describe as heavy rock mixed with folk and an injection of pop, I’m rolling with Rock Folk and I ask that you do too.
The frontman donned a flat cap, which of course is very much the Yorkshire thing to do.
But what blew me away about Shanghai Treason was the versatility – there were SO many instruments used, an accordian, guitars, drums, I’m pretty sure a form of flute and also a banjo also made an appearance at one point, but I was too dumbfounded (in a good way!!) to pay further attention because it was so bloody good.
There were plenty of local references and banter on stage, which is what you can expect from the Brothers, so it was a perfectly formed support for them, I cannot fault it.
FIND SHANGHAI TREASON ON FACEBOOK // INSTAGRAM // ONLINE
Now, onto the main event…
The Everly Pregnant Brothers.
If someone who had never heard of them before asked me describe the Everly Pregnant Brothers, I would simply say, if you love a dry sense of humour and can get on board with a bunch of mates taking the piss out of air fryers, different parts of the UK, pies and generally chart-topping songs with their own Yorkshire twist – you’re in for a reyt bloody treat.
There was a definite feel of belonging in the Leadmill main room that night, we all knew that this would be the last time that The Brothers would perform in the Leadmill as it was and it that made it incredibly special, even if it is for bittersweet reasons.
Of course they know how to make an entrance, they wasted in no time in getting into it with their song “You’re Yorkshire” – a fun twist of “You’re Gorgeous” by Babybird, famously a Sheffield band, released in 1996.
Suddenly having a whole room sing along “BECAUSE YOU’RE YORKSHIREEEEEE” everything felt well with the world again, it was a lovely escape with a community of fans there to support.
Not only do the songs take the mick, but they can also be incredibly relatable, fan favourites such as “Stuck in the Lidl with you” went down incredibly well, rightly pointing out “Well I don’t know why I’ve come here tonight, ‘Cause all the stuff they sell in here is sh*te.” – clear shade thrown at the middle aisle that we all know, deep down, sometimes, is deserved.
Of course they were there to launch their new album “Never Mind The Ukes, Here’s the Brothers” – which includes songs like “Air Fryer”, “The Market”, “Dodgy Box” and “Sh*t Getting Old” – as well as some fan favourites like Breadcake (not a roll) – (which by the way – it IS a breadcake, and I will die on this hill.), plus of course “You’re Yorkshire”.
One of the new additions is “Kelham Island Dreams” – based off of “Islands in the Stream” – famously done by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, but on this occasion, it’s the Brother’s frontman Kieran Wardle and local legend Laura McClure – who if you didn’t guess, did make an appearance for the album launch party.
“Kelham Island Dreams” is the latest video released, donning the background of famous Kelham Island momuments, the museum, the Fat Cat pub, you name it, it’s in there and a fun video of them all just having a laugh, that was definitely the spirit throughout this track and the full set.
This is the first time I’d properly seen the Brothers as Kieran Wardle as front man too, and what a fantastic frontman he is – full of smiles, dead pan humour and a bloody good singer too.
A particular highlight was “They tried to make me go to Leeds”, essentially taking the mick of every single bit of South Yorkshire (Doncaster included, ahem) and to the tune of Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab”, naturally, they say “No, no, no”.
But of course, in true South Yorkshire style, they sing “They tried to make me go to Leeds and I said… F*CK OFF”.
The perfect finale and true Brother’s spirit in this song, but so much so, there were three attempts with the crowd to pull off the best finale (it got better each time).
Of course, they played their big hits, including “No Oven, No Pie”, “Hendo’s” and a personal favourite, “Chip Pan” – which had the whole crowd singing loudly and proudly.
Just when I thought they had pulled off the best show I could have asked for, they had a couple more surprises up their sleeve.
On stage was Laura McClure already – but they only went and brought out Richard Bloody Hawley! he performed their last couple of songs on the set with them and Reverend and the Makers frontman Jon McClure also surprised the crowd.
Plus, their close family joining them on stage for “Breadcake” – really was something special – and it just brought everyone in that room together.
The Brothers very rightly shouted out tribute to both support acts, Kier and Shanghai Treason, but they also gave a huge shout out to the Leadmill staff, which is understandably a difficult time for all of them.
The crowd couldn’t help but join in and cheered with the Brothers, and it really was a bittersweet moment all round.
Overall an incredible performance, with lots of energy, charisma and charm (and some bad jokes, sorry Pete!) and with some amazing surprises too – one that will go down in the Everly Pregnant Brothers history for sure.
FIND THE EVERLY PREGNANT BROTHERS ON FACEBOOK // INSTAGRAM // ONLINE
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