MUST WATCH: ‘Fanny: The Right To Rock’

Celebrating its eighth year running, this year’s Doc ‘N’ Roll Film Festival is the UK’s annual celebration of the best in music documentaries. Currently running until this Sunday 14th November, it’s screening a total of 34 feature-length documentaries and 8 short films at a number of London cinemas, as well as at a selection of cinemas across the country. And, as part of this year’s celebrations, the festival is promoting a large number of films showcasing female trailblazers in the industry throughout the years.

An example of these is ‘Fanny: The Right To Rock’ – telling the story of legendary, yet often overlooked, ’70s rockers Fanny, who have since often been hailed as the first all women rock ‘n’ roll band. Having formed in the early ’70s with a predominantly Filipino-American line-up, with queer members in the band, they represented a break from the norm at a time when rock was dominated by cis het white men; an innovative breath of fresh air from a group of women willing to take a risk and stand out from the crowd.  

Originally founded by guitarist June Millington and her sister, bassist Jean, who had been playing music together since they moved from the Philippines to California in the early 1960s, Fanny exploded onto the scene with their distinctive style of blues-rock with catchy, energy-fuelled, and musically intricate offerings such as ‘Ain’t That Peculiar’ and ‘Badge’. All now in their sixties, they have since reformed to release a new album and tour; once again going against the grain to overcome health issues and ageist, sexist attitudes to explode into our ears with their raging authenticity – inspiring others to fight back against the patriarchy and do things their own way.

Directed and edited by women, the film ‘Fanny: The Right To Rock’ will be screened on Sunday 14th November at Curzon Soho at 3pm, as the closing film for the Doc ‘N’ Roll Film Festival. Afterwards, Estella – from GIHE faves Big Joanie and Charmpit – will be hosting a Q&A with director Bobbi Jo Hart and band members June Millington, Brie Darling and Patti Quatro. And she”ll be playing a short DJ set in the bar for the closing party. It all sounds like a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon! Full details here.

So, here’s to Fanny for being such innovative trailblazers for women in music of all races and ages! We’re forever grateful to women such as them, who have come before us and paved the way.

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Get In Her Ears Live @ The Victoria w/ Currls, 05.11.2021

Last Friday we were back for our first gig since February 2020 and what a glorious night it was! Huge thanks to the three incredible bands who played for each putting on a fantastic show, and to everyone who came out to support them and us in this first venture into hosting live music for over eighteen months…. We’re still feeling all the feels, and are extremely grateful to everyone who made it such a lovely night.

First up is the totally dreamy, shoegaze-tinged sounds of Schande. Treating us to a set of shimmering sonic delights old and new, they delive a perfectly head-bopping, heart-bursting set to start the evening.

Next up, The Other Ones blast onto the stage with their infectious riotous energy. With a playful charisma, they deliver their vibrant punk-pop with a swirling, gritty power as the crowd bounce and sing along in joyous unity (especially to a surprise cover of Natalie Imbruglia’s ‘Torn’)…

Drawing the night to a euphoric close, headliners – Brighton’s Currls – treat us to their sweeping, empowering brand of garage rock. Propelled by an immense rhythm section, front woman Holly delivers soaring soulful vocals with an effortless grace and sparkling witty rapport with the crowd. A band to watch for sure, it’s an honour to host their first London headline show.



Massive thanks again to all the wonderful bands, and to everyone who joined us in our joyous return to live music on Friday! Hope to see you all next month for our next gig, our first ever at The Shacklewell Arms, on 3rd December with Belfast punks Problem Patterns, and support from pink suits and GUTTS.


Photo Credit: Keira-Anee Photography

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Guest Blog: Potpourri (‘Love Letters’ to Sisters Uncut)

In the wake of events such as the murders of Sarah Everard, Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman, and the recent passing of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, organisations such as Sisters Uncut have been doing vital work in uniting people to fight injustice, providing a strong voice to highlight diminishing funds and government representation that leave people vulnerable, protecting those in need.

Sheffield band Potpourri have recognised the immense of importance of Sisters Uncut, and so wanted to show their gratitude and love for the organisation by putting together ‘Love Letters’: a compilation of beautiful tunes by DIY artists who feel strongly about the cause. Including favourites such as PINS, Jenny Moore’s Mystic Business, Y.A.Y MARIA and The Crystal Furs, amongst many others, it’s a heartfelt ode to not only draw attention to Sisters Uncut’s vital work, but to raise funds for them at a time when they need it the most.

We spoke to Lauren from Potpourri about the decision to release Love Letters… Have a read and buy on bandcamp now!

Sisters Uncut is an incredible British feminist direct action group that has catalysed a current of empowerment, creating accessibility for people to come together, find the confidence to open dialogue, and express their right to be free and equal citizens. The Kill The Bill coalition established consciousness of the danger against Roma, Traveller, and Gypsy communities, and unveiled the increase of tools of state violence against communities that already bear the brunt of a racist, sexist criminal justice system.

It felt important to send love and gratitude to the people working tirelessly to end violence against women and non-binary people. Their graft couldn’t go unnoticed and we felt that if there was a way we could use our art to stand in solidarity, we would.

The lockdown meant that a fundraiser gig couldn’t take place, but we could still contribute and act in a different way to fight the rollback of human rights. I wanted our first Love Letter compilation to reflect the Sisters Uncut feministo, reaching out to female and gender-variant artists who themselves are creating gorgeous music with a DIY ethos and building their own pockets of togetherness. It was a blessing to connect with fellow bands, especially when bands haven’t been crossing paths for the last year, and together support a movement we feel so dearly about. Everyone who contributed to the cassette condemns the awful systemic violence that Sisters Uncut work so hard to draw attention to and fight against.

Massive thanks to Lauren for talking to us about this vital and beautiful compilation. Buy Love Letters on bandcamp now, and find out more about Sisters Uncut here. And below see the accompanying ‘love letter’ from all the bands involved to Sisters Uncut.

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Five Favourites: SUEP

Led by SuepLord (Porridge Radio, Garden Centre, The GN Band) and Brain Wastefield (UK top model), London based SUEP are now a fully formed band with the addition of GN (The GN Band, Joanna Gruesome, The Tubs), Freakin’ Deacon (PC World, Garden Centre), and T-Mr.9 (Head of Pastoral Care). Interweaving jangly hooks with a whirring, psychedelic haze, the band recently released their debut single ‘Domesticated Dream‘. Oozing a vibrant, quirky energy, a joyous clatter of percussion swirls alongside uptempo electro-driven melodies and sweeping, honey-sweet vocals. A perfectly eclectic scintillating soundscape.

We think one of the best ways to get to know a band is by asking what music inspires them. So, to celebrate SUEP’s new single, we caught up with Sueplord to ask about her “Five Favourites” – five songs that she loves the most. Check out their choices below and scroll down to watch the unique new video for ‘Domesticated Dream’.

The Flirts – ‘Passion’
I only heard this song kind of recently, my friend Liam put it on in one of our YouTube sessions that me and my housemates often did during lockdown. It’s just so good and I reckon it’s quite theatrical, I really want to sing and act out all the words and dance along every time I hear it. I just looked up that The Flirts were formed by Bobby Orlando who worked with Divine and the Pet Shop Boys who I also love. I’ve been playing this song every time I DJ at the moment, and when I was on Green Man radio this summer I accidentally put on the extended mix which is just under 10 mins long but no one complained, that’s why I know it’s a good ‘un. There are a few performance videos of the song on YouTube and they are all amazing. I have definitely tried to use the song as a kind of exercise video by dancing along to their moves in my living room.

The Umlauts – ‘Boiler Suits and Combat Boots’
Ahh man I love the Umlauts so much, this is the first song of theirs I heard. It doesn’t have a video but it’s just such a great vibe and tune that I think I can get away with it. Porridge Radio played with them at two Library shows in Ashton and Widnes last month and there weren’t many people there and in Widnes it was a matinee performance, but they rocked it so hard, they sounded so large and full and it was literally impossible for me not to dance. I’ve listened to this song so much that when the synth solo came in I was singing along… They are stand up people as well. I can’t wait to hear their next single and the album. They are on Prah Recordings that are putting out some incredible stuff at the moment.

Jona Lewie – ‘I Think I’ll Get My Hair Cut’
Ok, this song is the song that I wish SUEP had written. But my man Jona wrote it. Jona Lewie is such a huge inspiration to me and Josh from SUEP. All of his songs have incredible hooks with a twinge of humour, which is exactly the genre I love, and I think it’s definitely a genre. One that Paul McCartney also fits into. I love that throughout the song he’s trying to be more attractive and popular and he’s concluded that to do that, he needs a haircut, but at the end of the song he realises he’s trying too hard and actually his hair is great. We’ve all been there. The synth riff that comes in goes straight to my heart every time I hear it, and I’ve heard this song a lot, I know all the words. By writing this I have concluded that SUEP should maybe cover this song. Keep your ears to the ground.

Becky Hill, David Guetta – ‘Remember’
Something a little different. I cannot contain how much I love this song. I have listened to it maybe a million times. The video is fine, don’t let it distract you from the lyrics:

“It’s only when I’m lying in bed on my own
And I wake up and I don’t see your name on my phone
It’s in the moments where I think that I’m better alone
That’s when I remember, that’s when I remember
Every time I walk past your house in the rain
And I tell myself that you were the biggest mistake
And just when I think I’m finally doing okay
That’s when I remember, that’s when I remember’

It gets me so deep every time. And it’s a huge club classic slam dunk. The amount of times I’ve been driving and yelling every word. Just thinking about it makes me want to cry with some kind of joyous sad tears. Nice one as well to Becky Hill, her voice is smash hits good. And David Guetta, all I can say is thank you. I’d just like to shout out to another song I would have put on this playlist that the rest of the band would have probably hated: Avicii – ‘Wake Me Up’ (definitely a song I wish I had written).

Alessi Brothers – ‘Seabird’
Damn, when this song drops and the vocals come in! The way the vocals are produced as well, they are so loud but so perfect. Normally I like vocals a bit buried, but this song has just got it. The lyrics are so beautiful and also is that a drum machine??? Also mega fade out vibes. It has it all.

Massive thanks to Sueplord for sharing their Five Favourites! Watch the video for ‘Domesticated Dream’ here:

‘Domesticated Dream’ is out now. It was recorded with producer Matthew Green (Sniffany & The Nits, The Tubs, etc.) at
SuepLord’s old house, which was once a youth centre in Surrey Quays, with the old sports hall being made into a makeshift studio where SUEP laid down a mini album worth of songs in two days, and later mixed by Mike
O’Malley (caroline, Girl Ray).

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