Sheeps Share Debut Album 'Working The Machine'

Gathering the flock for a nationwide tour in May, Pōneke's Sheeps have finally dropped their debut studio album Working the Machine. Engineered and mixed by James Goldsmith (DARTZ, Beastwars) and mastered by Chris Chetland, the eleven tracks are a collective hit for me as the art rock ("for the end times") formations and post rock undercurrents tug and pull. First formed in a basement in Oriental Bay, brothers Dean and Simon Blackwell steered the waka in 2015 before guitarist Grace Baker joined as third cannon along with drummer Thomas Friggens and bassist Blain Fitzpatrick in 2016. Working the Machine details “the modern struggles of the working class in a brave, new, damaged era”, featuring curious themes of ultimate disappointment, driving your mirrors, the perils of capitalism and illusory choice.

The seven minute ‘Colour Wars’ made me feel like I was stuck in crazy, awesome slow-mo while my car burnt rubber drifting past the first curb. With steel-encased riffs emerging from 2000s post rock, ‘Sandstone Mirrors’ chronicles the hefty weight of decision-making which can make staring into the rearview as hard as “trying to distinguish colour in the dark.” Dean’s vocals throughout the album keen like Radiohead (a noted inspiration). With texture that deliberately waxes and wanes, the title track soars in its narrative, just one of the few songs with knowing hints of '70s era Pink Floyd. As cinematic, epic and metaphorical as the fictional band Old Gods of Asgard, Sheeps will for sure be on my gig radar during New Zealand Music Month / Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa. Awaken the machina for its 9 to 5 (pm to am) at the Working The Machine release tour dates below…

Sheeps: Working the Machine Album Release Tour

Saturday 11th May - Space Academy, Christchurch w/ No Broadcast, distance
Friday 17th May - Paisley Stage, Napier w/ Desbot (solo)
Saturday 18th May - Meow, Wellington w/ distance, Ripship*
Friday 24th May - Nivara Lounge, Hamilton w/ Psygon, Stone Clones
Saturday 25th May - The Wine Cellar, Auckland w/ Mice On Stilts

Tickets available HERE via UTR
*Wellington tickets HERE

Experience the brand new live video for the title track...

'Working the Machine' is out today on major streaming platforms via AAA Records.