The Yell

If you didn't already know, The Yell, not to be confused with the popular online telephone directory service, have been around in Sheffield for quite some time. Originally belonging to the same scene that encompassed various bands such as Kings Have Long Arms, Smokers Die Younger and the perennially popular Darlings Of The Splitscreen, The Yell no longer feel affiliated to a particular group of bands in Sheffield, which they now say means they are able avoid being pigeon-holed into a particular genre. This seems to have stood them in good stead, as although the line-up has changed somewhat they seem to have resolutely remained the same; a band that prides itself on its individuality not just compared to other bands but also amongst themselves - a trend that has been noted on by the press and by the band as well. According to front man Danny aka Idle Hans the band are now perhaps a little wiser and a little older from when they initially started out four years ago as 'young whippersnappers', having experienced the many changes, rises and falls in the Sheffield music scene. When I meet the Yell they are lively and enthusiastic about the release of their forthcoming album.

Taking four years to make, the stopping and starting nature of the band's hectic life was a result of the various jobs and university courses they were undertaking or as in the case with Keyboard player Rachael even having to make time to train as a junior doctor. All of which meant they had to put off making the album. When asking The Yell about this, Danny remarks that they may well be one of 'the most qualified bands', which is evident from the string of qualifications that each member seems to possess. However, none of this seems to have swayed them from continuing and finishing the album, a testament to their almost tangible passion for making music, which is evident throughout my encounter with them.

Having met through friends, family, girlfriends and university, the various changes to the line up had also delayed the production of the album. Former bassist Dan Campbell left to live and work in London leaving a vacancy, which Jack, brother to front man Dan, now fills. Dan had met The Yell's guitarist James through his girlfriend of the time and James knew Rachael from University. And drummer Ian joined them through a meeting at infamous indie hangout Fuzz club.

So it was eventually this year when they managed to get their songs recorded at a studio in London under label 'Marquis Cha Cha', to which Sheffield's Bromhead's Jacket also belongs. This was a process which they all recall as being a difficult time not least because they had to spend so much time together, but nevertheless something which they seem to all be very proud of completing. When asked if they had changed anything dramatically on the album to what they had previously planned, Ian commented that all the songs were 'loads longer than they thought they would be' and so had to change their original scores. But fans of the band shouldn't worry as popular tracks such as 'My Baby's Into Witchcraft' will still feature on the album.

Despite any hiccups along the way, they all agree that they are happy with the final product even if as Danny honestly points out 'you can record one song then listen to it and think that it's rubbish but then you can listen to it a week later and think 'that's actually brilliant'. But then the same thing can happen but vice versa. We're never happy with ourselves [in that respect] I think any band that comes out of the recording studio and says that's the greatest album in the world is slightly lying'.

One thing that they all immediately agreed on though is the great job graphic designer John Leonard did on their album artwork. With a resounding appreciation for his work they describe their album cover as being something like a magic-eye combined with a 'vintage doctor who title sequence'. This, I imagine, they hope will help to sell the album when they go back on tour, something which the band say they haven't done for over a year, not just because of work and studying commitments but also because they felt the time wasn't right until they had completed the work on the album. James said 'we've been waiting for the album to come out and our plan was always to wait for that really and then start gigging more regularly once the album was out. And to have that to be able to promote and to sell at gigs [so] it was more of a conscious decision that we weren't playing all over the place with nothing to sell.' In light of this they hope that they will be able to give more performances like their guerrilla gig they put on in Sheffield outside Jack's Records in July and even talked about going away to perform at a festival in Berlin. So with any luck The Yell will continue with their music and keep doing what they love. Hopefully they will stick around for the next four years, making sure that they stay firmly rooted as one of Sheffield's most hardworking bands.

Interview by Elinor Block
Photography by Dan Sumption

www.myspace.com/theyell