Track Of The Day: Problem Patterns – ‘Big Shouty’

Raging against inequality and the patriarchy, Belfast punks Problem Patterns have shared their latest single, ‘Big Shouty’. It’s a loud, no holds barred anthem that grapples with the frustrations of being told your “place” as a woman, in both the music industry and society in general.

Realising that four voices are louder than one, Problem Patterns opt out of the traditional band “front person” format, encouraging each member to step up and share their views. Together, Alanah Smith, Bethany Crooks, Beverley Boal & Ciara King use their collective talents to create riotous, energetic, feminist punk sounds and ‘Big Shouty’ is a shining example of this. It’s a brief, bold listen; speeding by in just under two minutes.

Based on the band’s own personal experiences, each verse tackles some of the sexist bullshit that Problem Patterns have come up against during their time together. Ciara’s verse recalls a recent incident where the band where listed as “best bands with lady bits”, Alanah speaks about the joys of “mansplaining” and Bev shares her feelings of rage towards those who abuse their powers and deny basic human rights. Drummer Bethany underscores all this righteous anger with her thumping beats.

Check out the video for ‘Big Shouty’ below.

Follow Problem Patterns on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

EP: Stef Fi – ‘Girlhood’

A poignant reflection on grief, growth, and grappling with the repercussions of a racist world; Stef Fi has shared her debut EP, Girlhood, via Sistah Punk Records. Best known as the vocalist & guitarist of black feminist punk band Big Joanie, Stef Fi (aka Stephanie Phillips) has shared four alt-punk tracks that provide “sketches of a girl” resisting hate, and trying to find hope in the harshest of realities.

Mellow opener ‘What Remains’ broods with quiet intensity, setting the pensive, yet resistant tone of the EP. “Open wide and swallow divine” Stef directs, over steady beats and ominous guitar riffs. Her punk attitude breaks through on following track ‘Nowhere’. The quiet, uncertain lyrics of the verses contrast well with the distorted riffs and defiant words in the chorus.

“This town will be the death of me”, muses Stef on the eponymous ‘Girlhood’. The song was inspired by the footage of police attacking a young black girl at a Texas pool party in 2015. Extrapolating on what the victim may have felt, Stef delivers the line “I had spoken then I saw, I knew it was my time to fall” with calm resignation and maturity, powerfully contrasting with the violence the young girl experienced. It’s a jarring listen, but one that’s delivered with care and gentility.

‘The Garden’ closes the EP, with its rolling riffs, rumbling percussion, and more of Stef’s yearning vocals. Despite being rooted in inequality, Stef Fi’s Girlhood is a considerate, tender offering that showcases her talent as a songwriter, and as a woman who is dedicated to spotlighting the struggles of others.

Order your copy of Stef Fi’s debut EP on bandcamp. Follow her on Twitter for more updates.

Photo Credit: Nick Paulsen

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

#ThrowbackThursday: GIHE w/ Indian Queens 16.11.17

Due to the current lockdown/coronavirus situation, we’re unable to make it in to the Hoxton Radio studio to broadcast our live new music show from 7-9pm for the foreseeable future.

We have plenty of past shows to share with you though! We’re going to start sharing some #ThrowbackThursday sessions, so you can still enjoy 2 hours of new music, and chats with some of our favourite artists each week.

Today, we’ve picked our November 2017 show with Jennifer O’Neill from Indian Queens. The band are set to release their debut album God Is A Woman tomorrow (3rd April) via Cool Thing Records, so we thought now would be a great time to re-visit our chat with Jen.

Music highlights from Bikini Kill, Average Sex, Gold Baby, MALKAEdits and…Jennifer Paige #crush

Listen back to the show here:

LISTEN: BLÓM – ‘Meat’

A cathartic, riotous exploration of objectification and self autonomy; BLÓM‘s latest track ‘Meat’ is a raging cacophony of distorted guitars, vicious vocals and relentless percussion. Lifted from their album Flower Violence, which is set for release on 1st May via Box Records, the track is accompanied by a striking set of visuals, directed by Stuart Walkinshaw.

Self-described as “three qt punks playing pure radge shit; with female, trans and non binary members”, BLÓM are known for their blistering tunes that tackle inequality, and explore issues surrounding mental health and gender identity. On ‘Meat’, the band – along with Walkinshaw’s guidance – have taken live recordings of the song and mixed and mastered it to full fury levels for their upcoming album.

Watch the video for ‘Meat’ below, and follow BLÓM on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut