#ThrowbackThursday: GIHE w/ The Menstrual Cramps 03.05.18

Due to the current lockdown/coronavirus situation, we’re unable to make it in to the Hoxton Radio studio to broadcast our weekly live new music show from 7-9pm. Instead, we’re sharing previous show recordings as #ThrowbackThursday sessions, so you can still enjoy 2 hours of new music & chats with some of our favourite artists each week.

Today, we’ve picked our May 2018 show with feminist punks The Menstrual Cramps. The grrrls talked to Mari & Kate about their second album, Free Bleedin, how they stand up to neo-nazis, and what originally inspired them to start making music. Kate also casually dropped into the conversation that she won Cooper’s guitar in a raffle at Loud Women‘s 2018 Galentine’s Day Ball (she still hasn’t learned how to play it.)

Listen back to the show here:

Featured Artists
Sonic Youth
LIINES
Dott
LIERS
Seraphina
Rookes
Charlotte Carpenter
Suzie Stapleton
Ay Wing
Amaroun
The Parlour
Gaptooth
Track Not Found
Sabatta
The Menstrual Cramps
Pink Kink
Amyl & The Sniffers
Witch Fever
Nova Twins
Partner
Peaches (feat. Iggy Pop)

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

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

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Track Of The Day: Alice Bag – ‘Spark’

Having wowed us a couple of years back with her all-star anthem about the gender pay gap – ’77’, prolific punk legend Alice Bag is back with the announcement of a brand new album, and we could not be more excited.

Ahead of the album’s release, she has now shared lead single ‘Spark’. A song about acceptance and self-love, it’s propelled by gritty hooks and a punk-fuelled frenzied energy as the raw power of Bag’s vocals rage with a passion. Asserting “Hell no, I’m not dimming my spark!”, she oozes an uplifting burst of empowering strength in the face of adversity; a wonderfully vibrant and super catchy celebration of queer culture and the joy that comes with being able to express your true self.

Of the new video for ‘Spark’, which stars winner of Dragula Season 1 – Vander Von Odd, Bag explains:

“I reached out to director Rudy Bleu Garcia, who along with Hex Ray Sanchez run Club SCUM, a favorite nightclub/performance space for queer punks in East LA. In the early days of SCUM, Rudy invited me to do a DJ set with Allison Wolfe. The turntables were in a tiny backstage area which also served as the queens’ dressing room. I literally bumped into Vander Von Odd in that little space and was immediately smitten by this beautiful, charming queen. I’m honored that Vander agreed to star in this music video. The queerest of the queer, Dragula season 1 winner, Vander truly embodies the message of the song. Except for the mouth breathing part, that’s just about me.”

Sister Dynamite, the upcoming new album from Alice Bag, is set for release 8th May via In The Red Records.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Denée Segall

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Track Of The Day: Gulls – ‘SHAME SHAME SHAME’

Following the punk rock energy of last single ‘Shop’, Brighton trio Gulls have now shared another infectious, raging banger.

Propelled by thrashing beats and a driving, riotous force, ‘SHAME SHAME SHAME’ could not have come to our ears at a better time. A spot on social commentary, rallying against Fascists and the insidious alt-right, it oozes a frenzied impassioned energy that we need now more than ever, asserting that we will not tolerate intolerance.

With the seething power of Rhi Kavok’s gritty lyricism backed by frenzied riffs and the soaring backing vocals of Boe Higgs, it’s a perfect slice of angst-driven punk; a truly necessary listen right now. A time when we all need to find comfort in rage – a time when we need to come together through music and unite against the increasingly scary people who seem to be in positions of power.

Watch the new video for ‘SHAME SHAME SHAME’ now:

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment