Following a knockout show at Sidney and Matilda, Heather Anne Swift caught up with Rob Neal of Calves In The Dark to hear about the band’s next upcoming release.
Driven by their sharp blend of punk and classic rock ‘n’ roll, Calves In The Dark are making a name for themselves in the local music community with their catchy tunes and electric stage presence. “We bring all the flair, all the tricks to our live performances as well as our music. We never want a dull moment – whether you’re listening to a song or watching a music video, we want you to be excited the whole way through.”
Self-described as ‘Sheffield Rock & Roll’, the band are proud to be born and raised in the Steel City. “One thing we don’t shout about enough in Sheffield is our music scene!” Rob says. He names Milburn and Arctic Monkeys among the Sheffield greats inspiring their sound, adding, “I like to think we’ve taken an accumulation of all those names and turned it into something Sheffield can be proud of.”
These influences shine through in their rugged soundscape of rhythmic guitar riffs, throbbing basslines, crashing drums and rebellious lyrics. Think Arctic Monkeys meets The Hives with a twist of dad rock!
Fans can tap into ‘Disconnected’, their gritty debut single with nearly 40,000 streams in six months, and ‘Get Out’, their chaotic and rhythmic follow-up. The band’s recent Sidney and Matilda gig was their best yet, says Rob: “It was packed and everyone was mouthing and singing along. That’s the most fantastic feeling.”
Recent live shows have allowed the band to test unreleased material and create hype. “People who see us have given great feedback on songs we haven’t recorded yet. If we had the money, we’d do an album – we’ve got the songs for it.”
Next up is ‘The Haggler’, hitting streaming platforms in February. A fan favourite at live shows, Rob promises it will “melt your face off”, highlighting the standout guitar work of 18-year-old Jude, who plays “like he invented guitar.”
A UK tour will follow early this year, culminating in a hometown headliner at Hallamshire Hotel in March. “This year we’re going to take it over – everyone will know who we are!”
