Track Of The Day: Dream Nails – ‘This Is The Summer’

Both an energetic and a sardonic insight into the climate crisis we’re currently facing, feminist punk witches Dream Nails have shared their latest single ‘This Is The Summer’. Lifted from their upcoming self-titled debut album which is set for release on the 28th August via Alcopop! Records, the band prove once again that their activism is as sharp and essential as their riotous punk sounds on this latest offering.

“‘This Is The Summer’ is a song about how our climate is breaking down irreversibly,” explains Dream Nails vocalist Janey Starling. “Colonial capitalism, waged by UK governments and corporations for centuries, has ravaged our earth. We need to be urgently fighting for migrant rights so the UK welcomes climate refugees displaced by countries hit by extreme weather. We must demand transparency from oil companies who relentlessly put profit before people, even as the world burns.”

Starling’s vision is passionately and equally shared by her band mates Anya Pearson (guitar), Mimi Jasson (bass) and Lucy Katz (drums), who all play humorous parts in the track’s accompanying video. Directed by Guen Murroni and filmed with a women, non-binary and trans crew, the footage is a fast-paced blend of shots from recent protests in London, the band parodying newsreaders, and a live performance they filmed in a scrapyard during the August 2020 heatwave.

Pearson elaborates on the context of both the track and the video: “We wrote ‘This Is The Summer’ in the heatwave of 2018, recorded it in another heatwave in 2019 and now we are releasing it in yet another heatwave! Our video for the track shows how the current pandemic, white supremacy and climate change are not separate issues but interlinked. The song is about the brazen complacency of getting drunk and catching a tan in the park while the world burns.”

Fuelled by the need to change the world around them and inspire others to do so, Dream Nails will be celebrating the release of their debut album with a live stream performance on the 5th September. You can join in the fun by pre-ordering the album, which will also get you a link to the party (pre-order link here).

Watch the video for ‘This Is The Summer’ below and follow Dream Nails on bandcamp, Facebook and Spotify for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Dream Nails – ‘Kiss My Fist’

An aural uppercut to those who antagonize the LGBT+ community, punk witches Dream Nails have shared their latest track, ‘Kiss My Fist’. Lifted from their self-titled debut album – due for release on 4th September via Alcopop! Records – the single is a riotous stand against homophobic violence.

“You fear us more than we fear you” vocalist Janey defiantly chants, after several ripping choruses and poignant verses that highlight the hypocrisies often prevalent in homophobic behaviour. The band penned the track days after they saw the news that queer couple Melania Geymonat and Christine Hannigan, were attacked by a group of teenagers for refusing to kiss on a London bus in 2019.

Guitarist Anya Pearson speaks poignantly about how the news affected her: “As a queer woman, I live in fear of violence every day because of my sexuality and the way I look…In the UK anti-LGBT hate crime has surged in the past five years. On the one-year anniversary of the [attack against Melania & Christine], we are releasing ‘Kiss My Fist’ in honour of all the queer people of this world trying to get from A to B without getting beaten up. Our message to homophobes and transphobes is clear: ask us to kiss again, and we will eat your brain”

We stand in solidarity with Dream Nails, and urge you to do the same. Listen to ‘Kiss My Fist’ below, and follow the band on Facebook and Spotify for more updates.

Photo Credit: Marieke Macklon

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Dream Nails – ‘Payback’

A rallying cry against the lack of justice for survivors of sexual violence; GIHE favourites Dream Nails have shared their powerful new single ‘Payback’. Taken from their upcoming self-titled debut album, set for release 3rd April via Alcopop! Records, the track is accompanied by a poignant video showcasing the work of UK feminist activist group, Sisters Uncut.

With it’s mantra-like lyrics – “Hey mister, get your hands off my sister” – and abrasive guitar riffs, Dream Nails have created an aural call to arms that vehemently protests the rights of domestic violence survivors. The track is heavy in terms of volume and context, but as is the case for so many of Dream Nails tracks, it’s also tear-jerking because of the depressing reality behind their catchy lyricism.

Vocalist Janey Starling provides further insight: “In the UK, only 1.5% of rape cases lead to a charge or summons. ‘Payback’ is a song about how the UK criminal justice system fails survivors – and we’re angry about it. This is a country where two women are murdered every week by a partner or ex-partner. So many women have lived through sexual and physical abuse, and carry the scars and memories of that – but will never see justice for it.”

Drummer Lucy Katz adds that the single is “fuelled by fury borne from our experiences and the stories we hear from our peers, from the news, and in our day jobs. We are sick and tired of being failed and gaslit again and again by a state and a system that does not care about the continued abuse of women.”

Whilst there is a necessary and underlying rage throughout ‘Payback’, Guitarist Anya Pearson reminds us that it provides time and space to blow off some steam: “This is a tune to mosh to, throw yourself around with your sisters and non binary babes in the pit and scream the chorus: “One day we’ll make you pay””

Dream Nails are a vital force in both musical and activist societies, and their refusal to accept sub-standard treatment for their fans and their allies is why we keep returning to their music time, and time again. Watch the video for ‘Payback’ below, and follow Dream Nails on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Dream Nails UK Tour Dates 2020
10 April Cardiff, Wales Goes Pop!
11 April Leicester, The Shed
22 April St Albans, The Horn
23 April London, Oslo – Album Release Show
24 April Bristol, Louisiana
25 April Reading, Are You Listening? Festival
26 April Southampton, Heartbreakers
29 April Leeds, Oporto
30 April Manchester, Castle
02 May Edinburgh, Stag & Dagger Festival
03 May Newcastle, Hit The North
09-11 July Cheltenham, 2000Trees Festival
31 Jul – 01 Aug Oxfordshire, Truck Festival

Photo Credit: Marieke Macklon

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Dream Nails – ‘Text Me Back (Chirpse Degree Burns)’

Having been treating us to their riotous, empowering offerings for some time now, GIHE faves, Dream Nails, have now announced the release of their long-awaited debut album.

Taken from the album, new single ‘Text Me Back (Chirpse Degree Burns)’ oozes the band’s distinctive raucous, punk-pop energy, as they address the anxious hellscape that is 21st century dating and the excruciating pain of being left on read; that modern-day dilemma of seeing those two blue ticks and being ghosted by your crush. 

With stomping beats, pounding bass-lines and immense riffage accompanying the fun-filled lyricism, ‘Text Me Back’ is an instantly smile-inducing anthem from the sparkling, formidable force of these London Punk Witches. Of the track, Janey from the band explains:

“For those born beyond the M25, ‘chirpse’ is London slang for flirting and ‘chirpse degree burns’ is our personal slang for the injuries borne from romantic misadventure. The song is a tribute to the gut-wrenching feeling of checking your phone every 5 minutes to see if your crush has replied.”

Guitarist Anya adds:

“God only knows how rational, sensible, competent people can be reduced to quivering beasts in moments like this – yet no punk witch is safe. If you’ve ever been ghosted, allow yourself to manically wallow.” 

 
‘Text Me Back’ is taken from Dream Nails’ eponymous debut album out 3rd April via Alcopop Records. Dream Nails are currently supporting Anti-Flag on their European tour, and you can catch them live for their album lunch at Oslo, London on 23rd April. 

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Chloe Hashemi and Emily Barker

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