LIVE: Bad Waitress @ Moth Club, 09.05.2022

I’ve been wanting to see Toronto band Bad Waitress live ever since first falling in love with the riotous power of last year’s single ‘Strawberry Milkshake’, followed by weeks of listening to epic debut album No Taste on repeat. So, it was with much excitement that I was able to catch Kali, Moon, Katelyn and Nicole opening for Brooklyn band Gustaf at Hackney’s Moth Club on Monday.

Kicking off the rather sweaty night, Bad Waitress immediately blast into the seething discordant splendour of ‘Rabbit Hole’ with an immense, gritty energy – no introduction needed. As frenzied, relentless riffs ricochet off the sparkling interior, I become instantly utterly immersed in their scuzzy, angst-driven power. As a ferocious energy propels ‘Lacerate’, Kali’s raw, impassioned vocals ring out with a fierce emotion, reminiscent of the legendary Brody Dalle. 

Continuing the set with racing, chaotic vigour, the band treat us to more hell-raisingly raucous – yet fuzzily catchy – offerings, such as wonderfully sinister punk anthem ‘Strawberry Milkshake’ and the eerily seductive allure of ‘Manners’. 

As Kali leads the band with an immense, raging drive, the rest of Bad Waitress captivate the crowd; whether it’s the quirky charisma of guitarist Katelyn as they deliver the most impressive of riffs, Moon pummelling the kit with an infectious shimmering energy, or the ethereal charm of bassist Nicole.

Nearing the end of the set, Bad Waitress treat us to one of their earliest singles ‘That Sedative’, before showcasing their versatility with the sweeping, sultry ferocity of ‘Delusions of Grandeur’ and fierce latest single ‘Spit It Out’.

After a year of being desperate to see this Toronto band live, they do not disappoint. I remain utterly spellbound by their seething, empowering cacophonies throughout. A truly epic experience.

(Kills Birds – with their colossal grunge-fuelled fuzz and immersive stage presence – were also incredible!)

Mari Lane
@marimindles

mariangelicalaneLeave a comment

Get In Her Ears Live at The Shacklewell Arms w/ The Menstrual Cramps, 06.05.2022

On Friday, we were back at The Shacklewell Arms in Dalston with the most epic of line-ups. The Menstrual Cramps, pink suits and Queen Cult treated us to an immense few hours of live music. Huge thanks to them all, and to all the lovely folk who came out to support them and fill the venue… We’re still feeling all the feels, and are extremely grateful to everyone who made it such a beautiful night.

First up, Cheshire up and coming band Queen Cult kick things off with a wonderfully entertaining set. With a swirling infectious energy and quirky charisma, they immerse us in their fiercely impassioned offerings raging against the patriarchy; cementing themselves firmly as definite ones to watch on the new music scene.

Next up, Margate based pink suits deliver an immense and truly poignant set. From the wonderfully witty ‘Are You Gay Yet?’ to the all-too-resonant seething splendour of politcally-charged anthems such as ‘Fake Great Britain’ and ‘Anarchist Wisdom’, the incredible duo just seem to magnificently capture the burning anger, frustration and sadness that so many of us are feeling right now, whist bringing us together with an empowering sense of unity.

Headlining the night, we’re extremely honoured to have Bristol’s The Menstrual Cramps deliver their first London gig in over two and a half years. Covering topics ranging from political unrest and violence against women to more celebratory anthems in favour of pleasuring ourselves, the band’s shiny new line-up blast out raging offerings new and old with a ferocious energy and joyous, chaotic force. With their immense, impassioned drive and utterly necessary message of coming together against the right wing hellscape that this country is becoming, they simultaneously unite the crowd in a cathartic explosion of angst-driven power and elated euphoria. Shouting along to ‘Cull The Tories’ has never felt more urgent.

Huge love and thanks again to all three bands who played for us on Friday, and to everyone who came out to share the music and good vibes. We’re returning to The Victoria on 24th June with Slagheap, Nervous Twitch and The Famous Daxx – get your tickets on DICE now!

Words: Mari Lane
Photos: Keira-Anee Photography

mariangelicalaneLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: Nikki & The Waves – ‘The Phone Song’

Having recently been recommended Manchester band Nikki & The Waves by Chester trio Peaness when interviewing them for our last radio show on Soho Radio, I was excited to hear that they’ll be releasing a new EP in June. Having originally formed in Liverpool, the band have played esteemed venues such as The Cavern Club and charmed audiences at Isle Of Wight festival and Sound City, and look set to bring their joyous energy across the country throughout 2022.

Taken from the upcoming EP, new single ‘The Phone Song‘ instantly hits you with its jangly, quirky energy. Propelled by an uplifting, vibrant groove, it flows with fizzing hooks and Nikki’s lush, sugar-sweet vocals, as voicemails from those closest to the band – spanning Hong Kong to America – are interwoven into the funk-fuelled musicality. Oozing a blissful, shimmering allure – with shades of an eclectic array of influences, from early hip-hop to Lily Allen – it comes complete with swooping trombone solos, sparkling harmonies and a relatable witty lyricism, showcasing all there is to love about Nikki & The Waves. The perfect effervescent bank holiday jam to shimmy along to in the blazing sunshine (we can hope…).

Produced by Joel Pratchett (The Orielles, King Krule), songs to play tennis to – the upcoming EP from Nikki & The Waves – is set for release on 17th June.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

mariangelicalaneLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: deep tan – ‘rudy ya ya ya’

Following last year’s creeping speedwells, London trio Wafah, Celeste and Lucy – aka deep tan – have now announced the release of an upcoming new EP, diamond horsetail. Having been captivating us with their spellbinding post-punk for a few years now, we’re super excited to see what they have in store for us next.

Taken from the EP, latest single ‘rudy ya ya ya‘ offers a bizarrely witty ode to the former mayor of NYC. Maintaining all the wonderfully wacky yet seductively dark sentiment we’ve come to know and love from the band, it’s propelled by an instantly catchy, jangly drive. Beset with haunting, glitchy hooks and sweeping, sultry vocals, the track oozes a swirling discordant allure as it builds with an immense frenzied tension. A strangely addictive, fizzing cacophony, driven by a fierce post-punk energy reminiscent of the legendary The Slits.

Of the meaning behind the track, the band explain:

“Caught with your pants down, brown ooze slides down a furrowed brow as sacha interrupts — ! (aka the rudy giuliani diss track you never asked for)…”

diamond horsetail, the upcoming new EP from deep tan, is set for digital release on 6th May and physical copies will be available on 22nd July.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

mariangelicalaneLeave a comment