｡✵New Single Review:✺✼: The Oozes “Ultrasound”
｡✵New Single Review:✺✼: The Oozes “Ultrasound” In between the heavy landscape of punk, and the whimsically theatrical essence of camp, you can find London based band The Oozes. 07.02.24 Words by Jay Barney https://youtu.be/VdVtjDT3t9E With their new single ‘Ultrasound’, the queercore quartet bring together the rebellious side of both punk music and queer identity to create a reckless and bombastic burst of theatrical punk. Coming in at short-but-sweet 2 minutes 36 seconds, ‘Ultrasound’ is one the bands longest releases to date, demonstrating the urgency of their music and their experiences as queer individuals. Opening with a blues style guitar riff, the band quickly subverts any expectation that this might tease with a rupture of chaotic energy. It is an energy that lasts from start to finish; an aggressive rush of eccentric clammer that is elegantly put together and layered with a deliberately vigorous and playful vocal performance. At the chorus, this energy remains, however, lead vocalist Tom and the band go back and forth, passing the torch to each other for their own moments to shine. After Tom calls for the listeners ‘Attention’, the band bursts into a disarray of noise before leaving another moment of silence for him to announce the ‘Rumbling’ of his ‘C-c-c-crumbling.’ It is through the lyrics that the listener is given more of an insight into Tom’s experiences. The words paint a picture of mania through playful imagery of clowns, circuses, and fairgrounds: ‘I need pills to contain all my evil clowns’ and ‘Its so fun to embody a merry-go-round/Oh please do surround/I’m here to astound.’ A choice of imagery that is often associated with the band, who often take to the stage with red noses and stars painted over their eyes, it would be fair to say that ‘Ultrasound’ is quintessentially The Oozes. The Oozes are hosting a fundraiser in London on February 9th, raising money for lead vocalist Tom Gilbert’s top surgery. The event promises ‘A night of queer punk entertainment from The Oozes, Gender Crisis and an extra special one night and one night only performance of/by ‘TOMBO AND THE AMOOZING C-ABBA-RET’ giving you punk covers of every single song from Mamma Mia!!!’ You can find tickets here, or you can donate directly to the fund here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Oozes (@theoozes) You Might Also Like
｡☆New Single Review:★✼: The Menstrual Cramps “Abortion”
｡☆New Single Review:★✼: The Menstrual Cramps “Abortion” The Menstruation Cramps’ political anger is exactly what the punk rock genre needs. 07.02.24 Words by Mylo Castagnaro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwl5Rb9SBFQ The Menstruation Cramps are a Bristol-born band who describe themselves as ‘DIY, loud, queer, anti-fascist, anti-racist, pro-choice, intersectional and feminist’. Their fusion of punk and hard rock is embodied not only in their sound but also in their lyrical content. Politics and injustice continue to be at the forefront of their work, tackling many feminist issues, such as periods, consent and rape culture, female body hair, and gentrification. Their latest single ‘Abortion’ demands the right to safe abortions for all. ‘Abortion’ is full of justified, political anger, confronting the patriarchy and anti-abortion laws with its provocative lyrics. The Menstruation Cramps perfectly encapsulate the raw emotions people with wombs feel towards the government’s continuous violation of our rights. This song does not waste time introducing its title, with the lyrics approaching the issue head-on, screaming ‘I have had an abortion’, followed by the powerful statement ‘My body my choice’. The lyrics leave no room for debate and instead, shamelessly attack the cis men making these decisions over women, non-binary and trans people’s bodies Notably, one of the best lines of the entire song uses satirical comedy to make a serious point, questioning if ‘you have trouble committing to me, how are you going to commit to a baby?’. While abortion is no laughing matter, I could not help but chuckle at this brilliantly written line. Smashing the patriarchy one song at a time, ‘Abortion’ forces you to face the reality of our world, where abortion rights are being restricted as a form of control over marginalised people’s bodies. The Menstruation Cramps’ anger and screams over this injustice are reflected in their sound and use of the drums, not giving you a moment of peace. This song is a feminist anthem, inviting all people impacted by this issue to scream from the top of their lungs, utilising rage as a political tool to spread awareness on this important matter. If you are based in the UK, make sure to check out their upcoming tour dates for a night of political punk rock fun. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Menstrual Cramps (@themenstrualcramps) You Might Also Like
DEBUT TWO TRACK RELEASE – The New Eves ‘Original Sin / Mother’
DEBUT TWO TRACK RELEASE – The New Eves ‘Original Sin / Mother’ 18.07.23 Words by Isla Mcrobbie Unveiling The New Eves: A Haunting Fusion of 60s Inspiration, Primal Energy, and DIY Aesthetics The Shaggs, I gasped to myself as soon as it clicked. This awkward 60s-inspired track ‘Original Sin’ from Brighton quartet left a strange unease, like a scab in my mind I had to pick. Dancing on rustic experimentation in white dresses all the while choral chanting, each character’s individual notes blend to create an introspective composition that resonates with collective thought and outsider mystery seen in the likes of The Virgin Suicides: “The band is fighting a biblical battle between shame and pleasure, body and mind, good and evil. The lyrics are poetic and unapologetic.” With members who are themselves established painters, dancers, writers, and photographers from across Brighton’s sprawling underground, the band pride itself on a dedicated DIY aesthetic, and their haunting charm works. Welcome, The New Eves. Drawing comparisons to The Velvet Underground, Incredible String Band, and Dakha Brakha, The quartet unlock a primal,bacchanalian experience with their nuanced infusions of Pagan-folk, Krautrock and Punk. Dreamed up in 2021 by Kate Mager (bass), Ella Russell (Drums, flute, vocals), Nina Winder-Lind (cello, guitar, vocals) Violet Farrer (violin, guitar, vocals) while lying together in bed, the group have just announced their signing to Broadside Hacks Recordings & Slow Dance Records (Shovel Dance Collective, PVA). In this, The New Eves share two-track debut release ‘Mother’ and ‘Original Sin’. List of upcoming dates:18th July – London, The George Tavern21st July – Brighton, Green Door Store28th-30th July – Cornwall, The Cornish Bank Summer Camp,16th September – Sheffield, The Fly Tower, Co-Headline with Sister Wives https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNiN1-FYvW4 You Might Also Like Brighton and Hove, Folklore, New Releases, On the Rise, Pop-Folk, Punk, Sussex, The New Eves
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Cherym ‘Taking Up Sports’
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Cherym ‘Taking Up Sports’ Cherym’s New Release ‘Taking Up Sports’: The Catchy Anthem for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and a Celebration of Youthful Fun Words by Caitlin Taylor 05.07.23 Everything about Cherym’s new release ‘Taking Up Sports’ screams fun. Just in time for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup starting later this month, it could just be catchy enough to become a women’s football anthem. Lead vocalist Hannah Deannie has a voice that belongs in the soundtrack of a Disney Channel original from the noughties. You can hear hints of fellow Irish trio B*Witched in the cheerful pop vocals but also their 90s pop punk and garage rock influences through the upbeat instrumentation. At one point they even begin chanting ‘Olé, Olé, Olé’, the football fans battle cry. Narratively it draws comparisons to Frank Ocean’s Forrest Gump, another song that explores queer love through the game of football. They play with the typical high school tropes of the loser crushing on the jock, as drummer Alannagh Doherty told Guitar.com in an interview: “we were all bullied growing up for being ‘the weird kid’, or ‘the emo kid’ or whatever”. The three met as teenagers in Derry and after some drama and switching out of members, they came together as a trio determined to increase female and non binary representation in their local music scene, not to just be a token “girl” band. The video for the song was filmed at Derry FC’s Brandywell stadium and seems like a love letter to both their hometown and cheesy teen films. Catch them on tour in the UK later this year, including at a personal favourite Matchstick Piehouse on the 20th October.
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Heartworms ‘Retributions Of An Awful Life’
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Heartworms ‘Retributions Of An Awful Life’ A new-wave take on dystopian post-punk. Heartworms release first track of debut EP ‘A Comforting Notion’. Words by Isla Mcrobbie Image Credit: Camille Alexander “Look at me, I can fly That’s the way it’s happening You could feel this all the time Let’s just take another three Up the wall, through the trench This will quit your life dry This will kick your life high But to quench your life, why?” Frontwoman JoJo’s voice is in defiant order in the anticipated debut track titled ‘Retributions of An Awful Life’. And what an awful life it is, a cinematic noir take on battle, Heartworms have continued their militant regime into our ears with the first release of upcoming dystopian post-punk debut EP, rather ironically titled – ‘’A Comforting Notion’. (Scheduled release March 22nd) Hitting the cover of Issue 42 of So Young Magazine during an interview with Poppy Richler she describes her lyrics: “There may be elements of hope in the music I write, but it always comes down to a dark synth, lyric or a darkness in the way its sung”. This introspective track showcases the band’s signature sound, reminiscent of the late 1970s and early 1980s in its use of synthesizers and other electronic elements. Characterized by this experimental and eclectic production, there is an incredible industrial emphasis in the moody instrumentation. So far Heartworms few releases have proven to be a new wave take on a genre paved by the likes of Joy Division, The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees. Get ready to listen to something dark, edgy, and atmospheric, with a refreshing focus on mood and texture rather than raw aggression. And I for one, can’t wait to hear what’s next. Listen to Heartworms new release ‘Retributions Of An Awful Life’ here: Heartworms 1 Videos Heartworms – Retributions Of An Awful Life Video Video Director – Niall Trask Video Producer/ 1st AD – Dan Matthews DoP – Morgan Sinclair Focus Puller / First AC – Callan Matthews Song Produced by – Dan Carey Record Label – Speedy Wunderground.