NEW TRACK: Problem Patterns – ‘Who Do We Not Save?’

The first piece of new music since their visceral 2022 anthem ‘Y.A.W‘ (Yes All Women), Belfast-based DIY punks Problem Patterns have shared their latest single ‘Who Do We Not Save?’. Released via Alcopop! Records who the band have recently signed to, the track takes aim at the incompetent Tory government and their continued attempts to privatise the NHS, and it’s bursting with the group’s trademark empathy, rage and wit.

Giving their listeners a space to release their pent up frustrations, fears and disappointments is a core value of Problem Patterns’ music, and with ‘Who Do We Not Save?’ the band have provided another cathartic aural antidote that offsets the anxiety of the uncertain times we’re currently living through. “You and I are collateral damage” vocalist Alanah Smith states in the chant-worthy chorus, over Bethany Crooks’ commanding beats, the rumbling basslines of Ciara King and the corrosive riffs of guitarist Beverley Boal, who also sings dual vocals on the track.

“Our healthcare system has been falling apart for years due to cuts, and the pandemic only sped up the process,” the band comment about the context of their new single. “We constantly see campaigns telling people to ask for help, especially in regards to mental health, but the reality is that the services we need are under too much pressure. The line ‘We’re one or two paychecks away’ refers to the fact that many of us will be in a lot of trouble if privatisation becomes reality here. The title itself is lifted verbatim from Dominic Cumming’s photo of the white board used to plan the UK government’s early response to COVID. We thought it would be fitting to use it for the single’s cover art, too.”

‘Who Do We Not Save?’ is also accompanied by a video, directed by Smith and shot on location at the Oh Yeah Music Centre in Belfast. “I wanted the video to capture the chaotic energy of the song,” comments Smith. “I pictured the storyline as soon as we’d finished the song. In the first half, you have stressed out healthcare workers trying to save a life without the tools to be able to do so. Meanwhile, there’s a shady business deal to sell off what little is left of public healthcare, big menacing grins and all. I wanted to approach this with a bit of comedy, because if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry.”

“I made the medical supplies and instruments (except the toy drums) with things like cardboard and yarn, as I wanted everything to look extremely cheap and ultimately useless. The death scene in the ambulance was inspired by the film ‘Dave Made A Maze’, where they used things like confetti and glitter in place of standard fake blood.”

Recently name-checked as Riot Grrrl legend Kathleen Hanna’s new favourite group (and as GIHE favourites since the release of their 2020 single ‘Big Shouty‘), we can’t wait for Problem Patterns to release their highly anticipated debut album on Alcopop! Records later this year.

Watch the video for ‘Who Do We Not Save?’ below.

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

Problem Patterns UK Live Dates 2023
15.03.23 – The Black Box, Belfast (Pink Pound)
17.03.23 – The Garage, London (w/ Fight Like Apes)
07.04.23 – Oh Yeah Music Centre, Belfast (Friday Fest w/ Axis Of, Mob Wife)
30.04.23 – Bollox, Manchester (Sound Of The Other City Festival)
15.07.23 – Ost Hafen, Berlin (My People Fest w/ FAIM, Dying For It)
22.07.23 – EBGBs, Liverpool (Crapfest w/ Crapsons, Piss Kitti)
19.08.23 – Glasgow (Core Festival)

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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NEW TRACK: Piss Kitti – ‘Leather Forever’

Combining a healthy dose of cynicism and optimism in the same existential breath, Liverpool garage punks PISS KITTI have shared their bittersweet new single ‘Leather Forever’. Released via Venn Records (Gallows, Witch Fever, Bob Vylan, Meryl Streek) and accompanied by second track ‘I’m Jammed’, the AA single celebrates the feeling of breaking through a negative thought cycle and trying to find joy amidst the darkness and chaos of life.

Formed of Esme Brown (vocals), Clara Cicely (bass/backing vocals), Harry Jones (guitar) and Daniel Melia (drums), PISS KITTI strive to defy the monotony of everyday existence with their garage punk anthems. Born from Esme & Clara’s initial desire for better inclusivity and representation for queer people within the UK music scene and beyond, the band vent their frustrations through their music, sharing a similar ethos with Dream Wife and Amyl and the Sniffers, who they have supported on past tours. With ‘Leather Forever’ PISS KITTI push through their frustrations once more. “I don’t wanna die, I wanna live forever / if it all goes wrong, just bury me in leather” sings Esme in the track’s chant-worthy chorus, offering listeners a mantra for testing moments.

“‘Leather Forever’ is about the feeling of being in a dark place worrying about other people and feeling lost within yourself,” the band comment about their new single. “[It’s about] not wanting to be here anymore, but then a switch flicks and you realise everything is okay, noticing beauty in all the things that you never stopped and took the time to appreciate. That feeling when it’s been dark and rainy for a whole week, then you wake up one morning and the sun is beaming through your window and you can feel the heat and you get comfort from it.”

“‘I’m Jammed’ is about the times you get yourself stuck in a situation with someone you care about so much, but they aren’t being open and honest with you,” they continue. “You want them to open up to you but they keep doing things that let you down. You can’t stop forgiving them for their actions because you believe eventually they’ll see their mistakes and everything will be okay.”

PISS KITTI will be hitting the road throughout March and April, on a mix of UK headline dates, support slots with Grandma’s House and Bruise Control, and an appearance at Manchester Punk Festival.

Watch the video for ‘Leather Forever’ & see the band’s full live listings below.

PISS KITTI UK Live Dates 2023
20.02.23 – Manchester – The Peer Hat &
04.03.23 – Liverpool – Kazimier Stockroom
09.03.23 – Leeds – Oporto *
11.03.23 – Sheffield – Sidney & Matilda *
30.03.23 – Manchester – The Deaf Institute
08.04.23 – Manchester Punk Fest 2023
02.05.23 – Leicester – Duffys Bar ^
03.05.23 – Nottingham – Percy Picklebackers ^
04.05.23 – Liverpool – Quarry ^
05.05.23 – Sheffield – Sydney & Matilda ^
06.05.23 – Newport – The Cab ^

* w/ Grandma’s House
^ w/ Bruise Control
& w/ Ming City Rockers

Follow PISS KITTI on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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NEW TRACK: Lunch Machine – ‘Pipedream Graveyard’

Making the most of a cynical and uneasy feeling, Belfast-based alt rockers Lunch Machine provide a cathartic exhale on their latest single ‘Pipedream Graveyard’. Marking their first piece of new music in five years, the track is a grunge-infused take on the futility of planning for the future whilst the planet is slowly collapsing around us.

Formed in Donegal back in 2017, Lunch Machine’s current lineup consists of Jude Barriscale (vocals and guitar), Pearse Owens (guitar), Robert Mulhern (bass and recording engineer) and Kieran Devlin (drums). Together, they create music that’s inspired by the lyrical wit of Courtney Barnett, the post-psych experimentation of King Gizz and the “good craic” goofiness of Ween. During the pandemic, the band lived together and jammed regularly, writing a new batch of music, performing occasional gigs and recording their upcoming material.

On ‘Pipedream Graveyard’, the four-piece blend the melodic angst of 90s grunge-pop with Barriscale’s bittersweet vocals to push past feelings of apathy. “Our generation and the ones that come after us seem doomed to sequester any dreams of a bright future,” she comments on the track. “It is exhausting knowing your road in life will end up surrounded in climate collapse, crumbling infrastructure, and regressive political ideals. Or, are we already there?” Despite this despair, Lunch Machine have created a hazy guitar tune that provides momentary relief from this reality.

The single is also accompanied by a video, shot by by Leeann Toland, which you can watch below.

Follow Lunch Machine on bandcamp, Spotify, Facebook & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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NEW TRACK: ALT BLK ERA – ‘Rockstar: LUNAR’

After sharing their blistering nu-metal inspired track ‘Rockstar’ at the end of last year, genre-defying sister duo ALT BLK ERA are showcasing their softer side on latest single ‘Rockstar: LUNAR’. Beautifully contrasting with the band’s usual visceral, heavy sound, ‘Rockstar: LUNAR’ is an earnest reflection on an unhealthy relationship, gently edging listeners towards acceptance and finding strength in their vulnerability.

Formed of sisters Nyrobi and Chaya, ALT BLK ERA create tenacious alternative anthems designed to express their vivid personalities. Inspired by the likes of Ho99o9, Nova Twins, Hacktivist and Billie Eilish, they blur the boundaries of punk, nu-metal and trap to form their riotous, anthemic sounds. Refusing to be pigeonholed, ALT BLK ERA enjoy exploring their musical dynamic further by releasing ‘SOLAR’ and ‘LUNAR’ versions of their songs. Nyrobi’s Solar energy represents her wild, raucous spirit, and Chaya’s calmer, more introverted energy is represented by Lunar.

Their original single ‘Rockstar’ was a volatile, all-consuming wall of noise, but on ‘Rockstar: LUNAR’, the duo filter the heaviness of romantic infatuation through a different lens. Full of tender vocals, evocative piano sounds and confessional lyrics, the track is a poignant rumination on an emotionally harmful relationship. The pair find solace in opening up about the difficult reality of loving someone who is bad for you, and have showcased their impressive, seamless ability to move between music genres in the process.

Listen to ‘Rockstar: LUNAR’ below:

ALT BLK ERA UK Live Dates 2023
Mar 18: CH Hirscheneck, Basel
Mar 31: UK Bodega, Nottingham
Apr 05: UK Hare & Hounds, Birmingham
May 25-28: UK Bearded Theory, Derbyshire

Follow ALT BLK ERA on bandcamp, Spotify, Tik Tok, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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