Shipley’s own sons of sound, Least We Got Shoes, are gearing up to unveil their latest emotional ballad, “Too Late,” on April 12th, 2024. As the third single from their highly anticipated debut album, Chapter 1, set to drop on May 26th, the track promises to be a poignant reminder of the importance of expressing love to those who matter most while they are still present.
According to Wayne Frear, the band’s frontman, the song grapples with the heavy notion of losing a parent, something he finds himself contemplating more as his folks age. It’s a reflection not on death but on making sure those we cherish know how we feel while there’s still time.
Frear’s revelation about the track’s inspiration sheds light on its depth. When he first shared it with bandmate Ben, the song’s emotional weight led to a misunderstanding that Frear had lost his mother. Instead, “Too Late” is drawn from Frear’s empathy for a friend who experienced such a loss and his musings on his own mortality.
Musically, “Too Late” mirrors its lyrical introspection with disjointed vocals that evoke the sensation of peering through the remnants of a night gone too deep into thought—a whiskey glass on a swaying ship, if you will. Yet, there’s a sweetness to its sadness, a mature acknowledgment from the band that amidst the heartache, there’s a profound resilience. They pivot from dwelling on tragedy to emphasizing the urgency of expression, encapsulating a message that it’s never too late to reach out to those we hold dear.
This latest offering from Least We Got Shoes doesn’t just navigate the choppy waters of loss and love; it sails through with a blend of blissed-out tragedy and sharp insight. It’s a mature step for the band, demonstrating their evolution in handling themes of deep emotional resonance with a nod to the resilience that defines human connection. “Too Late” is a poignant reminder woven through the unique fabric of Shipley’s own sons of sound have dubbed ‘boxcar rock.’
Anyone who has ever grappled with the fleeting nature of time and the importance of cherishing meaningful connections will find themselves swaying to this latest single. As anticipation mounts for the release of their debut album, Chapter 1, Least We Got Shoes continues to captivate audiences with their authentic storytelling and genuine musicality.
About Least We Got Shoes
Hailing from the hardworking streets of Shipley, West Yorkshire, Least We Got Shoes is a band steeped in authenticity. Their music, a gritty fusion they call ‘boxcar rock‘, blends rock, bluegrass, Americana, and dashes of metal and punk, creating a sound as true to their roots as the ground beneath their feet.
Frontman Wayne Frear embodies the band’s spirit. His lyrics, drawn from his own life, are honest and unfiltered, echoing the likes of Johnny Cash in his straightforward take on life’s absurdities. Ben Martin, or B.D., brings a bluesy depth to their sound, influenced by his working-class upbringing and shaped by legends like Eric Clapton and B.B. King.
Bassist Andy Parkinson, a fellow Shipley native, swapped his mechanic tools for the bass guitar, now running two local music venues. His journey echoes the self-made path of musicians like Bruce Springsteen. Drummer Johnny C adds an eclectic beat, with a background as varied as their music, drawing on influences from family trips to the Himalayas to the raw energy of The Clash.
Together, these four musicians have created an album that’s a mix of real-life tales and larger-than-life adventures. Their songs capture the essence of freedom-seeking drifters, the resilience of cowboys, and the audacity of Vegas’s night owls. It’s music for the wanderers, the rebels, and anyone who’s ever felt on the outskirts of the mainstream.
Least We Got Shoes isn’t just playing songs; they’re narrating stories from the fringes of life. They invite listeners to join them in embracing the raw, unpolished truths of existence, shared through the powerful rhythm of ‘boxcar rock’. Their music is a call to the wild, a homage to the spirit of those who walk their own path, resonating with the heartbeat of working-class Shipley and beyond.
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