Arts & Culture
The Ocelot presents: Black Sheep Apprentice

It’s rare when you come across an album and immediately take to it. It’s even more rare when the album isn’t even technically finished.

Swindon four-piece band Black Sheep Apprentice are just about ready to release their latest album Born to Walk Alone - the title is perfect. For all the seemingly sinister attributes, mainly from the lyrics, there’s something almost quite uplifting about the tracks - a sort of perserverance. Or maybe it’s the really tantilising sounds of guitar reverbs which infuse beautifully with the band’s bluesy-rock and americana twangs. Black Sheep Apprentice is made up of Richard “Skiddy” Skidmore as lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Paul “Paj” Jellings on electric guitar and backing vocals, Juan Guanchez on drums, and Tim Owen on bass guitar - there’s a very mature aura around them, and it’s immediately identifiable through not only their lyrics but musical capabilities as well. [caption id=“attachment_35855” align=“aligncenter” width=“694”] ©Calyx Picture Agency
Black Sheep Apprentice[/caption] Let it Go is a track which really stands out for me. The opening is really well crafted with the use of drums, a church bell, and horses galloping in the distance. This would be a remarkable opening song for a road movie, or modern western - this is where their ‘Dark Country’ genre really lends itself. It encapsulates all the rock elements of The Yard Birds and Doves, with americana attributes which resonates with the likes of The Coral - they’ve managed to cross the boaders with mutiple genres without losing a sense of identity. [caption id=“attachment_35856” align=“aligncenter” width=“744”] ©Calyx Picture Agency
Black Sheep Apprentice[/caption] As I lay down somewhat hungover, still determined to do my job and listen to the album a few times before trying to write, the tracks weirdly ignited a kind of sadistic joy particularly with lyrics from Water Mix which Skiddy dryly sings “Can anybody spare me a glass of water? I need to rehydrate my soul” - well, that just summed up my Sunday. I’d be keen to find out how Black Sheep Apprentice translate live on stage. The record itself has lo-fi elements which paves room for a more raw sound - this quality actually compliments their sound as opposed to overbearing it. I’d be really game to see these guys in action, and am happy to recommend Ocelot readers to to do the same. For more information, and updates on their upcoming release, go to www.blacksheepapprentice.com

  • The Ocelot presents: Black Sheep Apprentice
  • The Ocelot presents: Black Sheep Apprentice