Sheffield’s indie rock band Repomen raised £2,000 for upcoming songwriters in honour of their late band member, Ric Bower. 

Repomen, a group with history dating back to 1991, hosted their farewell concert on Sunday at Sydney and Matilda, a little over a year after Mr Bower died in a cycling accident. 

Original Repomen members, including lead singer Denzil Watson, drummer James Hughes, and bass player Simon Tiller, were joined by guest musicians Howard Price, John Groves and Loretta Groves to help celebrate Mr Bower.

Mr Watson said: “It was an emotional night and there was a lot of love for him.

“The last shows we played were before the accident. We didn’t want it to end on that.”

Repomen had disbanded by the time of Mr Bower’s death, but he had continued to perform with Mr Watson in a new group, Batman’s Treaty. Later members involved Mr Hughes, Tommy Binks, Paul Hoyland and Andy Wood.

Members of this band, as well as other musicians who had known and performed with Mr Bower, also joined in the tribute concert; including John McNamee, Murray Fenton, and Matt Howden, known as Sieben, the ‘very clever’ violin player. 

Also performing was David Woodcock, seen to be ‘very emotional’ during his performance of Repomen’s song Lauren Becall. As well as Howard Price, who was one of several people to stand in Mr Bower’s place in Repomen for their performance.

Mr Watson said: “It took three people to replace him.”

To honour Mr Bower, his wife, Rachel Bower, had the opportunity to choose the charity that the proceeds of the show would go to. As was fitting for Mr Bower, she chose to donate the £2,000 raised towards WaterBear University for a bursary that supports new songwriters. 

Mr Watson said: “Ric was all about encouraging people to write songs.

“He was ridiculously creative.”

Repomen have decided to produce a ‘final release’ album consisting of all their greatest and most loved hits over the years. Titled ‘There Were No Goodbyes’ – a line from a track called Lauren Becall – which will be produced on vinyl, because Mr Bower ‘loved’ it. 

Their album will be available in various record shops across Sheffield, packed full of indie rock inspired jams and hits.