Since we first heard the warped pop sounds of Queen Zee & The Sasstones, all we wanted to do was lay in a bath tub full of red wine and listen to their EP, Eat My Sass – watch the video for single ‘Boy’ below and you’ll feel the same. We had a quick chat with front person Queen Zee about how the band started out, what inspired their latest recording and the mix of “adoration and bemusement” they receive from live crowds…
Hello Queen Zee & The Sasstones. For anyone who doesn’t know, can you tell us how the band came to be?
Myself and Em met at a black metal show for both our solo projects. I uploaded some demos six months later under the Queen Zee moniker, Em didn’t like them but said we should start a band anyway…
Your latest EP Eat My Sass is out now. What kinds of reactions have you had from fans and critics about the EP?
It’s been great, as a collection of songs they’re old and new, so it’s great to finally get those older songs out there while also showcasing our new material like ‘Boy’.
On a surface level, you can throw yourself around to the EP completely carefree on a dance floor, but your lyrics – especially on ‘Boy’ – highlight the dangers faced by trans people who have been the subject of trans and/or homophobic abuse. Do you write from experience?
I think all trans people are exposed to the abuse written about on ‘Boy’. On one level, yes ‘Boy’ comes from my resentment to how I’ve personally been treated. But I’m nothing special, all trans people experience the same hate.
Is the EP your way of dealing with and shouting back at those who have tried to silence or physically hurt you?
Art is in general, my art is my catharsis. It’s my rage, my passion, my love, my hate. So on some level, yes it’s my aggression.
Your video for ‘Boy’ looks incredible. Tell us a little about the shoot: How much red wine did you consume? Would you recommend bathing in it to your fans?
Not enough wine. It was a very fun day, we were very tipsy. I wouldn’t recommend it though, the bathroom still stinks. We did it so fans don’t have too.
I’m a big fan of Courtney Love, and I noticed your reference to her on ‘I Hate Your New Boyfriend’. Are you a fan of her too?
Yeah I’m a huge Hole fan, ‘Violet’ is my jam.
You’re currently touring the UK and you played Reading & Leeds Festivals earlier this year too. What reactions have you had from the crowds so far?
It’s a mix of adoration and bemusement. Reading & Leeds was fun, people go feral when you put them in a field for three days.
Can you name a gig that was particularly memorable?
Playing with Venom Prison was fun, they’re a great death metal band. So this metal fan base turn up, loads of big dudes with beards and Neurosis shirts and we’re like “fucckkkkk” in our sparkly leggings absolutely bricking it. Two songs in the crowd’s going mad, the kit got crowd surfed, lapping it up, ended up being one of the best shows we’ve ever done. Hopefully we’ll get to do a Venom Prison / Queen Zee tour one day.
As a blog dedicated to promoting women and non-binary artists in new music, we’d like to know if there are any female-fronted/non-binary artists you could recommend to us?
I really dig Babe Punch, who are our buddies from Nottingham. The new Marmozets record is a killer as well, we’re off on tour with them this month.
Finally, what’s next for Queen Zee & The Sasstones?
Wrap up this tour and head off for some studio time. Which may or may not result in more music next year…
Thanks to Queen Zee for answering our questions. Follow the band on Facebook for more updates.
Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut
Get In Her Ears 