bugeye – Page 5 – Get In Her Ears

Following a host of super amazing bands playing for us over the last year – including Witch Fever, The Magnettes, H.Grimace, REWS, Trash Kit and Deux Furieuses – we were back at The Finsbury on Friday night for another jam-packed night of the best new music.

Kicking off the night are Sheffield/Leeds creators of wonderfully wonky noise-pop, Duck. Treating us to a whirring array of synth-filled sonic delights, they deliver an utterly unique and fantastically quirky set.

Next up are Get In Her Ears faves Suggested Friends. Despite missing a bassist, they succeed in delivering their immensely infectious, thoroughly engaging ‘tweemo’ punk-pop to perfection. As the crowd unites in a buoyant joy, the band grace us with racing, catchy hooks and luscious harmonies as Faith Taylor’s witty charm and exquisite vocals flow with ease.

Penultimate band of the night, Bugeye, blow us all away with their powerful disco-punk force. Propelled by impeccable cowbell-filled beats, their politically charged offerings are filled with a frenzied energy as front-woman Angela Martin’s seething vocals soar.

Manchester trio LIINES headline the night with an immense, impassioned energy. With shades of the likes of Sleater Kinney or Savages, pummelling beats and throbbing bass lines rage as the raw, commanding vocals of Zoe McVeigh blast into the crowded venue with a dark, brooding power.

HUGE thanks to the four fantastic bands who made Friday night so awesome, and to everyone who made it down to support us for our third birthday celebrations! And make sure you don’t miss our International Women’s Day special on 9th March when Ghum will be headlining, along with some very special SECRET guests!

Mari Lane
@marimindles

With a bouncing bass line evoking Elastica, ‘Wake Up’ by Bugeye introduces itself in a snapping yet loose-limbed yelp and holler.

Dedicated to all the DIY collectives supporting music which seeking positive changes – the likes of LOUD WOMEN and The Zine UK get name-checked for all they’re doing for up and coming talent – the track is lyrically a call to arms, and melodically a call to the dancefloor. Harking back to the guitar-led and percussion-punctuated pop punk of the late ‘90s, the era in which Bugeye first formed, but updating it with the political snark of today.

Its power is in speaking of not being afraid of being alone, being different. It’s a shout of solidarity in fractured times, a splash of colour against austerity grey. With touches of Le Tigre and blasts of Blondie, Bugeye have as much in common with ‘70s punk, with Riot Grrrl and with ‘80s underground as they do the current sound of punk being pushed by bands like Dream Nails.

While the track doesn’t linger beyond its 2’39” play time, it oozes that indie-disco sound from which a whirling darkness, where wild eyes are windows to wilder souls, emanates. It’s a moment captured – one in which the heart beats faster with the joy of music, the fear of the future, and the anger at today.

They say, “Cage dancing politicians, the rich feeding off the poor, venue closures and “affordable housing” – an uprising is happening, it’s time to Wake Up and Fight Back” and in ‘Wake Up’, Bugeye have provided the short sharp rush you need to do just that before stealing yourself for the long-haul of resistance.

‘Wake Up’ is out now on Marwoo Records. You can find Bugeye on Facebook and Twitter.

Sarah Lay
@sarahlay

Tag: bugeye

Get In Her Ears Live @ The Finsbury w/ LIINES, 09.02.18

Track Of The Day: Bugeye – ‘Wake Up’