Steelers are the kind of band you won’t just stumble past. Four people, four instruments, a bit of magic, a bit of sweat, and there it is—electricity you can’t pay for on a meter. They met at Leeds Conservatoire, recorded demos in their bedrooms, sent files back and forth, probably dropped a “What do you think?” in the chat, only to get a “Sounds good, but make this part louder” in return.

That’s how they pieced together their sound, like a damn LEGO model where none of the pieces are in the manual, but somehow, the result is something ridiculously cool.

photo by @lilonfilmm

When the BBC calls their sound an “homage to the ’80s,” you almost want to ask: what do they think about it themselves? They don’t seem to care. They just make music that hits your ears and sticks like gum to a sneaker. Bowie, Springsteen, The Cars—it’s all in their veins, but instead of chasing nostalgia, they’re shoving that spirit straight into 2025. And the result? It’s not the ’80s anymore—it’s their own time.

Steelers’ debut single, The Part That Hurts The Most, dropped on November 29, 2024, and whether anyone was ready for it or not didn’t matter—it crashed in, shook things up, claimed its spot on the airwaves and in magazines, made some people nostalgic and had others jumping around their rooms until their neighbors started banging on the walls. Then came Come Get Your Man on January 9, 2025—bigger, bolder. And the next day, their debut on the Gayle Lofthouse show. Critics loved it. The guys probably just grabbed a beer and took a few laps around the city to celebrate.

It’s funny how, the moment you start listening to Come Get Your Man, your foot starts tapping on its own, and you catch yourself looking around for someone to yell at: “Hey, turn it up!” This is a song for parties, road trips, stadium crowds—anything that thrives on adrenaline. That’s because Noah Clegg delivers a vocal performance so powerful it sends chills up your arms. And the instrumental side? That’s where you feel that touch of “forever young”—something about those shimmering guitar lines makes your heart race a little faster.

photo by @lilonfilmm

People often ask me, “Does rock have a future?” And I always say, “Who cares about some formal outlook when you’ve got Steelers right here?” They carry the spirit of freedom and harmony in their music, like a band of explorers who were born to create together. Some might argue their style leans too much on the ’80s, but I’d say they’ve found a way to inject something unmistakably modern into it. And whether you like it or not, you start getting pulled in. New wave, old roots—it all blends into that kind of rock magic that makes you buy a concert ticket and scream your lungs out until your voice gives out.

Noah Clegg, Isaac Chinneck, Abi Littlewood, George Card—a foursome with chemistry so electric it could power a city grid. You can see it in their photos, hear it in their sound, and feel it the moment they step on stage and sparks start flying between them. Come Get Your Man is all about that. It’s youth blasting through the speakers. A track that fits anywhere—a party, a stadium, a movie’s closing credits. Or you could just walk down the street with it in your headphones and feel like a damn hero.

As long as bands like this exist, it doesn’t really matter where rock music is headed. What matters is that it’s in their hands. And me? I got the chance to talk to them before some Billboard inevitably does—to hear it all straight from them. How do they shape their sound? What fills the gaps between recording sessions? What does this explosive new single mean to them? And most importantly, where is this wild, high-voltage ride taking them next? All that—and more—in our conversation, which, by the way, turned out to be just as charged as their music.

photo by @lilonfilmm

Hi guys! It’s such a pleasure to chat with all of you—truly an honour. Your journey so far has been so exciting to follow, and I can already tell this is going to be a great conversation. Your roots in Leeds Conservatoire and working on demo tracks in bedrooms sound like the ideal foundation for shaping your path in music. But I’ve got to ask—what’s the story behind the name STEELERS? It’s such a striking choice; does it carry any special meaning for you?

NOAH: Hi guys! Likewise, it’s so lovely to be back with Indie Boulevard after all this time. The name IS a bit of a striking choice with just as striking a story behind it haha! So this word kept cropping up, “Steelers” – Isaac had seen an ad for the Sheffield Steelers, which is an ice-hockey team in the city next door to our home of Leeds. I’d seen the word in Bruce Springsteen’s autobiography whilst working on a dissertation, the “Pittsburgh Steelers” another sports team in the USA. We then were ready to announce ourselves as “The Steelers”. We took it to the group chat we’d created, and Abi rightly pointed out that if we got rid of the “the”, we’d stand out a lot more, and we certainly think it’s a lot more stark and bold, whilst also maintaining a bit of Yorkshire heritage!

Your debut single, “The Part That Hurts The Most,” became an instant hit, receiving rave reviews from both critics and listeners. Considering how few artists achieve such a start, how did it feel to see the song climbing charts and hitting radio stations on both sides of the Atlantic?  

ABI: I think we were all amazed with how well the release went. We put lots of effort into recording, mixing and promoting the release expecting to have a slow and steady start but the recognition it got blew us away! We’re hoping the next releases can live up to that. It’s a high bar we’ve set!

photo by @lilonfilmm

“Come Get Your Man” is already being hailed as your next big move. With its warm reception on radio and fans calling it an anthem, how did you approach creating the second single to make it stand out from your debut while still staying true to your identity?  

ISAAC: With ‘Come Get Your Man,’ I really wanted to push the sound further and make it stand out from our debut. I focused heavily on production, experimenting with different techniques to create a richer, more dynamic feel. Compared to the first single, this track has a brighter, summery vibe, especially with the guitar tones—we wanted that warmth to really shine through. One thing that sets it apart is the guitar solo, which was something we were excited to include. The build-up leading into it has this anthemic energy that just feels massive when it hits. Despite the new layers and sonic shifts, we stayed true to our identity with a catchy, sing-along chorus and storytelling lyrics that feel authentic to who we are. It’s all about finding that balance between growth and staying rooted in what makes our sound unique.

Who handles songwriting in your band? Is it a team effort where everyone adds their own touch, or does someone come in with a demo and say, “Guys, don’t touch it—it’s perfect as it is”?  

GEORGE: Noah does handle the majority of the songwriting, buts it’s not an instance where he brings a song to us and we all play it exactly how he’s crafted it. We’re all open to tweaking our own parts and I really like that idea, as we all have the opportunity to put a part of us in each song we create. It really brings us together as band and when a song is done we’re happy with what we’ve created together.

photo by @lilonfilmm

Noah, be honest—what’s it like being the frontman of the band? Do you feel like it’s your job not only to sing but also to keep everyone in check, like when someone wants to stretch their guitar solo too long? Or making sure no one’s late for rehearsals?  

NOAH: Maybe to make sure people pay for rehearsals… *cough* Isaac *cough* – I joke I joke. This band is so unbelievably collaborative, it’s the best thing about the whole process. So whilst yes, I stand at the front and I jump around and I can get a room to move their arms and sing along – my friends bring that same energy, and they do just as much work in that regard as me. We all keep each other in check and we compromise; this solidified friendship with Isaac, Abi and George – that has now manifested itself in this wonderful group is why it feels so special. I do love being able to run from pole to pole of the stage every night though, I wouldn’t swap it for the world! 

Now, the most important question! Abi, how’s it working in a group where you’re the only one against three guys? Do you ever just look at the trio and say, “Guys, you’re completely ridiculous”? Or do they try to avoid pushing you to that point?  

ABI: They’re like the brothers I’ve never had! They’re great to work with and are all so creative and enthusiastic within the band. There’s definitely been some occasions in rehearsals where they do some totally bizarre stuff but it’s all a big laugh. I feel as being the only girl in the band I want to present myself as strong and confident and eventually grow to be a role model for young female musicians!! Overall I couldn’t ask for a more talented and genuinely lovely group of people to work with!

You’ve already been featured on BBC Radio twice and gained recognition in circles that often require artists to have years of experience. What do you think it is about your music and approach that’s allowed you to earn the industry’s respect so quickly?  

ISAAC: I think it comes down to a mix of factors. Our dedication to promotion plays a big role—we’re consistent with how we put ourselves out there, blending genuine, light-hearted content with more polished, professional material. It keeps things authentic and relatable. Another key part is that we handle everything ourselves—writing, producing, promoting. There’s something raw and real about doing it all on our own terms, and I think that resonates with people. When we were featured on BBC Radio, we didn’t try to be anything other than ourselves. We’re not out here imitating anyone; we’re just leaning into who we are, and maybe that honesty stands out. Our live shows also make an impact. It’s not just about performing; it’s about creating a connection. We put a lot into our stage presence and genuinely enjoy interacting with the crowd. After the show, we make time to talk to every person we can, even signing setlists or having little moments that make it personal. That kind of connection sticks with people—and maybe that’s part of why we’ve earned respect so quickly.

photo by @lilonfilmm

Many young bands struggle to build a fanbase, yet yours is growing at lightning speed. Why do you think people are so drawn to your music and image? And how are you handling such a rapid rise in popularity?  

GEORGE: We’ve tried our best to make ourselves unique and different from other bands in our scene and people seem to be drawn to that level of bravery to go outside the box and try something new. We’re handling it well as we’re all still young and we have no idea where this will take us – we’re just living one day at a time and enjoying it as much as we can!

Two singles are a powerful start, but let’s be honest—fans are already craving more. What are your plans for 2025? Can we expect new material soon? And most importantly, where and when can we hear you live?  

ISAAC: We’re incredibly excited to share that we’ve got a brand-new single dropping at the end of February! This one marks a fresh direction for us—a bold mix of ‘70s funk and ‘80s-inspired sounds, all wrapped up with hyper-modern production. It’s a new sonic chapter, and we can’t wait for everyone to hear it. As for live shows, we’ve got some dates we’re buzzing about. You can catch us on February 23rd supporting Dutch Criminal Record at Hyde Park Book Club in Leeds—an opportunity we’re unbelievably excited for. Then, just a week later, we’ll be headlining at Royal Park Cellars in Leeds on March 1st, which is set to be an unforgettable night. Our 2025 is shaping up to be big for us, and this is just the beginning. We’ve got so much more in the works, and we can’t wait to share it all with you.

Alright, this one’s for everyone. Do you have any pre-show rituals? Is there anything strange or funny you always do before going on stage?  

NOAH: Well… Isaac and I like to skip around the floor space of the venue we’re playing! We did it spontaneously at our first gig and now it’s seemed to stick! Abi and I like to do a good vocal warm-up or vocal siren before we go on. George and I once also had a competition to see who could make the biggest face, in which we drew 3-3 (laughs). When you’re as close a group as us the rituals become second nature but seemingly weird to everybody else not in our Steelers bubble. But I love that we have our own way of doing things, and that’s another thing that makes this band so special. 

ABI: For me, warming up is less of a ritual and more of a necessity! We’ll have to see over the next shows if anything ritualistic keeps popping up!

*Promoted content. All information provided is prepared in accordance with editorial standards and is intended to offer useful insights for readers.