First Timers Fest Hosts Workshops For Aspiring Musicians

Held at the inclusive, accessible and volunteer-run DIY Space For London, First Timers is a season of musical workshops, followed by an evening of gigs, where every band plays its first show. First Timers’ main priority is about getting new faces and voices in bands, and doing something about the lack of diversity in the make-up of the DIY music community.

Aiming to ensure inclusivity, First Timers wants to ensure people of all genders, abilities and backgrounds get involved, and promotes a welcoming environment for anyone who may not have ever played a musical instrument. Giving people a chance to experience their first gig in a really supportive environment, it encourages coming together and learning in a non-elitist way.

Workshops are available in the following: Drums, Vocals, Bass, Guitar, Synthesisers, Songwriting, Beat-boxing.

The next workshops, taking place this Sunday 11th March, will be drums with Jen Calleja (Feature) and Tamsin Mi (ES) at 1-3pm and Pedals with Nadia (Jellie Rolls). Visit the First Timers Facebook page for full details of all upcoming workshops.

First Timers Festival 2018 will take place on 5th and 6th May.

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Track Of The Day: The Menstrual Cramps – ‘The Smash’

Following the seething power of their debut album We’re Not Ovaryacting (what a name!), which earned itself the title of Loud Women’s ‘Hercury Prize’ this year, DIY punks The Menstrual Cramps are back with another fantastically riotous offering.

‘The Smash’ combines a fist-clenching ferocity with racing catchy hooks and a tongue in cheek wit, creating a truly infectious punk-rock anthem that makes for simply essential listening. As front woman Emilia Elfrida chants “Kick the Tories out the door… we want a revolution!”, The Menstrual Cramps give a welcome voice to the anger we’re all feeling about the way society’s headed.

Combining activism with musical prowess, The Menstrual Cramps provide a captivating, empowering force that we all need now more than ever.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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WATCH: Slowcoaches – ‘Complex’

Whilst it’s normal to agonise about the harassment and adversity that female musicians face in the industry, it’s even more important to organise and shout back against the injustice of it all – and that’s exactly what Slowcoaches bassist & vocalist Heather Perkins does on brand new single ‘Complex’.

Perkins has some insightful, valid  observations about the new track and we thought they were worth sharing in full below:

“The music industry really feeds toxic masculinity by putting male artists on a pedestal. ‘Complex’ is a response to the sexual assault allegations against artists that were in the press at the time I wrote it. There’s still a really dirty side to the industry – particularly with the encouragement and portrayal of male artists in rock music to god-like status. All too often, the system is adhering to an archaic, misogynistic interpretation of ‘punk’ that makes guys think they’re invincible, that they have an authority over women’s bodies.”

“It sweeps the artists up, way out of their depth and then there’s no one there to support them in dealing with this stuff in the right way when they eventually get called out. We came up with the concept of the video when we were talking about this – the idea of a split self – that there are parts of the personality that are always hidden from view. Pulling the curtain away, kind of peeling back those layers – the bright light exposing all the grubby stuff underneath.”

The single will be available this side of the new year on screen-printed 7” vinyl, backed by a cover of Fang’s ‘The Money Will Roll Right In’. The band are touring the UK over the next month, so check which date you can go to below, and learn the lyrics to ‘Complex’ in the meantime. Follow the band on Facebook for more updates.

Slowcoaches Oct/Nov 2017 Headline Tour:
18/10/2017 – UK, Liverpool – Shipping Forecast
19/10/2017 – UK, Manchester – Soup Kitchen
20/10/2017 – UK, Sheffield – The Rocking Chair
21/10/2017 – UK, Leeds – Lending Room
23/10/2017 – UK, Newcastle – Think Tank Underground
24/10/2017 – UK, Glasgow – Broadcast
25/10/2017 – UK, Nottingham – Bodega
27/10/2017 – UK, Cardiff – Clwb Ifor Bach Downstairs
28/10/2017 – UK, Exeter – Cavern – Indie Club
30/10/2017 – UK, Bristol – The Louisiana
31/10/2017 – UK, Oxford – Cellar
01/11/2017 – UK, Brighton – The Joker
02/11/2017 – UK, London – Boston Music Room

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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WATCH: Queen Zee & The Sasstones – ‘Boy’

We’re hooked on the sound of Liverpool punk sass-perts Queen Zee & The Sasstones, and after watching their new video for ‘Boy’, we guarantee you will be too. It’s an anthem for trans-gender rockers and their allies who refuse to be ignored or oppressed by transphobic or homophobic attitudes.

“You can try and bury my head in the sand / But that won’t make the body at the surface a man’s,” seethes Queen Zee over manic guitar and heart-pounding drums throughout the track. Despite the infectious dancing rhythms, Queen Zee’s lyrics reveal the frightening reality faced by many transgender people, who live in fear of “That skinny kinda lonely kid / raised on homo-trans-hate rhetoric / Waiting for me to come outta the club / a concealed weapon clenched between his fists.”

With their punk attitude and ability to write abrasive heavy-pop tunes, there’s no danger of Queen Zee being melted in to a “masculine mould” – and we’re rejoicing in support of this “whipping girl born into a big man’s world”. Take a look at the incredible video for ‘Boy’ below and follow Queen Zee & the Sasstones on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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