Promoting and Supporting Women in Music
Kate was presenting solo this week & playing loads of new music for your listening pleasure. Highlights include tracks from Bad Sidekick, AE Mak, Caswell, hear & Fisty Muffs.
There’s no show next week, so you’ll just have to keep this one playing on repeat instead…
Listen back here:
If you’re still sitting back waiting for the return of the riot, you’ve been doing so with your ears covered. Scottish three-piece punk outfit Fistymuffs‘ upcoming EP, About Time, is a fantastic soundtrack to what they represent. What that is? “What we’re singing about is relatable to 90% of the audience,” answers bassist, Patty.
The original punk rock came off the back of a political climate that alienated youth. It doesn’t stand to question why, in the decades that followed Thatcher – before the banking crisis and the housing crisis and the flurry of food bank necessity for the working people – the privileged few said punk was dead.
About Time opens with ‘Innocent Contact’ and its jarring monologue; the kind that will undoubtedly spur choruses of cis white male journalists to utter the word patriarchy. While the EP does tackle the rejection of patriarchy, the lyrics are pulled from personal experience that touches on abuse regardless of gender.
“Get away, stay away, I don’t want your innocent contact” are the lyrics that make up the earworm chorus, making the opening track the most powerful on the record. It’s a track that harks to the legacy created by Kathleen Hanna and Donita Sparks, where screams are more valuable than words.
Third track, ‘Time’ introduces a more Mancunian sound, with echoes of Joy Division and New Order taking over. Drummer Nikki, in particular, being from Manchester, is massively influenced by both bands, and it shows – “Diverse influences are what give our sound an edge.”
Fistymuffs certainly have an edge, and anyone who wants the world to stop suffering in silence by speaking out will find an idyllic companion in About Time.
About Time will be released as a physical copy on 28th July at Leith Depot and on Bandcamp the following day. Follow Fistymuffs on Facebook and Twitter.
Em Burfitt
@fenderqueer
Kate was in the studio for this week’s show, which is recognised as part of the Mayor of London’s #SoundsLikeLondon campaign! She was joined by Beth, Joe & Guy from LibraLibra, who came in to have a chat about their new single ‘Tongues’ and the joy of performing live in the wonderful city of Brighton.
Listen back to the show here:
Tracklist
Placebo – Scared Of Girls
Slander – Slow Motion
Where We Sleep – Veins
Gurr – Hot Summer
Malunga – Never Let Me Go
Carolyn’s Fingers – Twice Born
Indian Queens – Pretty Little Thing
Mercy’s Cartel – Feel My Vibe
Nick Wilson – All The Same
Pitou – Give Me a Glass
Hole – Celebrity Skin
Rebecca Phillips – Burnt Peach
**LibraLibra Interview**
LibraLibra – Animali
LibraLibra – Tongues
Yumi & The Weather – Look At The Night
Anna Aaron – Why Not?
Bad Sidekick – Circus
Noga Erez – Bad Habits
Everything By Electricity – A Place To Call My Own
Foxtrott – Wait
EVVOL – Release Me
The Breeders – Cannonball
Following a host of super amazing bands playing for us recently – including LIINES, Witch Fever, The Magnettes, H.Grimace, Ghum and Dream Nails – we were back at The Finsbury on Friday for another jam-packed night of the best new music.
Kicking off the night, Bad Sidekick kindly stepped in to fill the shoes of Salvation Jayne who sadly had to pull out. But what a way to start the night: the trio absolutely blow us away. As charismatic front-woman Cooper Rose oozes her seething, Northern twang over immense, thrashing beats and raging riffs, I’m reminded of early Arctic Monkeys with a unique, gritty edge. New favourite band alert!
Next up Brixton’s Coltana bring their visceral energy to the stage, delivering their riotous punk-rock anthems. Propelled by frenzied, whirring hooks and the magnetic charm of Cat’s impassioned spoken word vocals, it’s a set filled with wit and infectious energy as the band treat us to their wonderfully ferocious offerings.
Penultimate band of the night, Weekend Recovery, draw in a loyal army of fans with their contagious energy and endearing warmth. Racing with uplifting hooks and the angst-driven power of front-woman Lori’s vocals, each track is an instantly catchy, perfect slice of punk-pop at its finest.
I’ve been waiting a long time to see headliners The Menstrual Cramps. and – on finally having the honour – they don’t disappoint. From the topical, tongue-in-cheek wit of tracks such as ‘Hashtag Sad Penis’ and the empowering, feel-good vibes of ‘Make Girls Feel Good’, to the immense, politically-charged force of ‘Frack Off’ and ‘Cull The Tories’, their fantastic, fist-clenching force never ceases. As Emilia leads the band with her uncensored, genuine, seething passion, The Menstrual Cramps give a welcome voice to the anger we’re all feeling about the way society’s headed. An intense outpouring of emotion, The Menstrual Cramps’ set combines activism with musical prowess, reminding us all why we need bands like this now more than ever.
Huge thanks to the four AMAZING bands who played for us on Friday. And catch us next month at The Finsbury on 13th July, when we’ll be joined by The Empty Page, MeMe Detroit, Jemma Freeman and The Cosmic Something and Jetstream Pony!
Words: Mari Lane / @marimindles
Photos: Em Burfitt / @fenderqueer
Get In Her Ears 