WATCH: The Menstrual Cramps – ‘Body Politics’

I’ve been waiting a long time for new music from Bristol-based punk legends The Menstrual Cramps, and now it’s finally here! Following 2019’s Free Bleedin’, and fresh from a run of dates supporting Isle of Wight punk trio Grade 2, They’ve now shared new single ‘Body Politics‘, released via the loveliest of labels, Alcopop! Records. 

Sounding as vital as ever, with ‘Body Politics’ The Menstrual Cramps draw on American philosopher Judith Butler’s idea of gender performativity (from her book ‘Gender Trouble’), and rally against the ways in which gender constructs are forced upon us all under capitalism to benefit the patriarchal structure. Seething with their trademark ferocious energy, and building to a fierce RATM-esque climax, it’s a perfectly empowering and cathartic explosion of necessary rage. 

With their return, The Menstrual Cramps continue to deliver their utterly necessary message with an immense impassioned drive; creating a perfect balance of unifying joy and rage that has never felt more urgent.

‘Body Politics’ is accompanied by a homemade new video, capturing front person Emilia’s experiences of growing up in the early noughties, surrounded by gender stereotypes in the media. They explain:

“I wanted the video to be a kind of letter to my younger self, who didn’t have the vocabulary to express everything they felt in their messy teenage brain at the time, and had minimal queer people in the media to look up to… the music video is a loop, so the end of the music video is also the start of the music video my younger self watches when turning on the TV in the bedroom. Metaphorically, it’s letting myself become who I wanted to be, or finally being happy with who I am—being inspired by myself to relive my younger years with that expressive freedom.”

Watch it here:

‘Body Politics’ is out now via Alcopop! Records. Catch The Menstrual Cramps live tonight at Oslo, Hackney for Rock Against Violence, or next Spring on a run of UK dates – details here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Dory Valentine

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Video Premiere: pink suits – ‘Refuse The Rules’

If you’re at all familiar with pink suits, you’ll recognise their unique energy in every element of their new music video for ‘Refuse The Rules‘, the first taste we’ve had of their upcoming second album, Dystopian Hellscape. The whole video drips with their signature style and unapologetic passion.

The video takes place entirely within a two cubicle toilet, wallpapered with newspaper pages. The logos of The S*n and Metro (owned by The Daily Mail Group) leap out at you. An article about gender self-ID “fears” is placed right in the centre of the shot. Before the music even begins, you’re presented with instant commentary about the quality of contemporary journalism – rampant media bias and the painfully uncritical approach to publishing political agendas in the modern press.

‘Refuse The Rules’ is not a long or complicated song. It hones in on its point perfectly. Boiling down the tiresomely endless hours of identity debate into a concise song that barely breaks 100 seconds in length, it is short and sharp, instantly cementing pink suits as expert creators of today’s punk anthems.

With just the opening line – “Our existence doesn’t threaten your existence” – the song immediately highlights the most draining elements of the whole debate. It calls out the hypocrisy of anyone actively threatening another person over their identity, which wouldn’t have any impact at all on other people’s lives if they didn’t choose to stick their oar in. At a time when human lives are under threat every day from war / climate change / poverty / homelessness, even in the wealthiest countries on the planet, this track points out just how ridiculous it is to waste your energy being bigoted. 

The delivery of every line is sharp and urgent, a scream that evokes all the pain, frustration and fear underlying the song’s message, roared over a foundation of aggressive drums and shrieking guitar riffs. The track is packed with earworms that capture the rage effortlessly.

Despite the darkness that necessitates this kind of commentary, ‘Refuse The Rules’ is ultimately uplifting in its defiance – “We refuse the rules. We refuse to bow.” It’s a rejection of conformity and of the hypocrisy of those who manage to conveniently ignore all the real problems in this dystopian hellscape of the modern world to take issue with another human being’s self expression. It’s a riotous call to action for anyone who needs a little extra motivation to embrace their true selves. 

Completely created by pink suits themselves, this new video captures the raging energy of ‘Refuse The Rules’ perfectly. Watch, for the first time, here:

Produced by Halo Halo studio in Margate, ‘Refuse The Rules’ is out now, ahead of pink suits’ second album – Dystopian Hellscape – which is set for release in Spring 2024. But keep you ears and eyes peeled for more teasers in the meantime!

Kirstie Summers
@ActuallyKurt

Photo Credit: Stephen Daly Photography / @stephendalyphotography

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ALBUM: Problem Patterns – ‘Blouse Club’

Since they shared their debut single ‘Big Shouty‘ with us back in 2020, Problem Patterns have been lighting up our musical radar with their relatable, riotous anthems. The Belfast-based DIY punks have progressed from making music together as a hobby, to becoming a personal favourite of Riot Grrrl icon Kathleen Hanna, winning a Northern Irish Music prize, and supporting the likes of Le Tigre and Dream Wife on tour. These accomplishments are the product of sheer determination, authentic friendship and a shared defiance in the face of adversity.

On their debut album Blouse Club, Alanah Smith, Bethany Crooks, Beverley Boal and Ciara King use their collective talents to rage against misogyny, classism and homophobia in both societal and industry spheres. Not defined by traditional band structures, Problem Patterns routinely switch up instruments and mic duties for their songs, which makes for a refreshing take on the subject they’re tackling. This collective instinct, raw emotion and radical resilience permeates each of the twelve tracks on their debut full length record.

Powerful opener ‘Y.A.W‘ – an acronym for ‘Yes All Women’, antagonising the social media hashtag ‘Not All Men’ – is a visceral rumination on the universal rage and despair that permeates our consciousness in the wake of public violence towards women, in particular, the misogynist killings of Sarah Everard and Aisling Murphy. It’s a vehement, necessary anthem for women and girls who have spoken out against violent misogyny only to be told they’re “just a bitch who can’t take a joke”.

As Alanah demands “Who do we call for help? / When the help seems like a threat to me?” her bandmates create a cathartic cacophony of relentless sound around her. ‘Y.A.W’ is such a direct moment of unleashed anguish that it sets the precedent perfectly for everything that follows on Blouse Club. The aptly titled ‘Big Shouty’ is based on the band’s own personal experiences of sexist bullshit, with each verse tackling some of the comments they’ve received during their time together. Problem Patterns’ ability to recycle this rage into hard-hitting, but hugely enjoyable anthems is what makes Blouse Club so compelling.

Whether it’s Bev gleefully chanting “When the people are hungry / they’ll eat the rich!” on ‘Advertising Services’, Ciara screaming through the chorus on ‘A History Of Bad Men Part II’, or Alanah acknowledging the burnout that comes with chronic illness on ‘Picture Of Health’ (“I will never be the picture of health / I just wanna be better to my self!”) there’s always a palpable sense of relief when Problem Patterns unpack these unfiltered feelings and frustrations. Drummer Beth undoubtedly feels this in every cell of her body when she steps up to the mic to perform the excellently named ‘Lesbo 3000’. She directly calls out the homophobia experienced by queer women, with her extended screams of “Call me a Dyke!” making for a bold and empowering moment of reclamation.

The band serve listeners another vital dose of this empowerment on the seminal ‘TERFs Out’. Alanah rightfully highlights that “LGB is nothing if not for the T!”, as they tackle transphobic attitudes. The track reiterates all that Problem Patterns stand for and provides a vital statement of support for their trans friends and fans in the process. The anthemic ‘Letter Of Resignation’ flows in a similarly cathartic vein, as Bev steps forward to celebrate queer ally-ship and tear down those who discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community, specifically in places of employment. “I’m standing up for who I believe in / you can’t fire me, I’m leaving!” she chants in playful defiance, surrounded by riotous riffs and marching beats.

On ‘Pity Bra‘ (which GIHE premiered ahead of the album’s official release!), Alanah tells the story of an important night that Problem Patterns spent watching Sleater-Kinney back in 2020, that strengthened the creative foundations of the band. It serves as an interlude on Blouse Club, but it’s transient moments like this that accurately reflect the importance of nurturing platonic bonds, as they can be just as passionate and fulfilling as other relationships.

The band provide further aural antidotes and release more pent up frustrations on ‘Who Do We Not Save?’ and ‘Poverty Tourist’. The latter calls out the appropriation of working class culture in the music industry, whilst the former takes aim at the incompetent Tory government and their continued attempts to privatise the NHS. Both are bursting with the group’s trademark empathy, anger and wit, helping to offset the anxiety of the uncertain times we’re currently living through.

Named after the unofficial speakeasies that were frequented by women in the wake of World War II when they were denied the right to drink in public bars, Blouse Club is the musical manifesto of four friends whose sound refuses to remain underground. Together, Problem Patterns use their collective talents to create riotous feminist punk anthems that provide comfort and catharsis in equal measure, and their debut album is a powerhouse example of these undeniable skills.

Follow Problem Patterns on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter (X), Instagram & Facebook

Photo Credit: Carrie Davenport

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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NEW TRACK: Softcult – ‘Haunt You Still’

A bittersweet, shimmering reflection on the mark we leave on others in the extended aftermath of a breakup, Softcult have shared their latest single ‘Haunt You Still’. Full of their trademark shadowy, swirling riffs and soft dual vocals, the Canadian duo explore accountability and atonement on their latest offering.

Formed of twin siblings Phoenix and Mercedes Arn Horn, Softcult have had a busy few years touring with the likes of Incubus and MUSE, as well as releasing a trio of excellent EPs: Year Of The Rat (2021), Year Of The Snake (2022), and See You In The Dark (2023). Now, the pair are gearing up to play a series of shows across the UK supporting Movements, with new single ‘Haunt You Still’ offering a glimpse of what to expect from their live setlist.

“Maybe it’s a defence mechanism, but we tend to demonise the people we once held close once they’re out of our lives, and it’s not always warranted. It’s a reactive way of protecting ourselves,” the band explain about the context of their new track. “This song is an acknowledgement that when things don’t work out between two people, it’s not always one sole person in the wrong. Looking back on our past, we have to reflect on the parts we’ve played and the damage we may have unintentionally left behind. When those people think of us, do they look back fondly or has the chapter of their lives where we appeared become a painful memory?”

Born from their desire to push through pain and reflect on their hard earned emotional resilience, Softcult’s sound is rooted in a strong feminist DIY ethos. With Phoenix on production, engineering and artwork duties, Mercedes is free to direct and edit all of Softcult’s visuals. The duo also create and produce their own zine called SCripture, and are active participants in their Softcult Discord server, a safe online community for their fans. It’s this vehement sense of self-autonomy, coupled with a shadowy aesthetic and atmospheric sound that makes Softcult so captivating.

Watch the video for ‘Haunt You Still’ below.

Softcult UK Live Dates 2023 (with Movements)
Nov 22: SOUTHAMPTON The Loft
Nov 23: LEEDS Project House
Nov 24: MANCHESTER Club Academy
Nov 26: GLASGOW Garage
Nov 27: BIRMINGHAM The Mill
Nov 28: BRISTOL Lost Horizon
Nov 30: LONDON Electric Ballroom

Follow Softcult on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Facebook & Twitter (X)

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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