Feisty feminist Riot Grrrl/punks Fistymuffs have recently released their second EP, We Fight. And I’m delighted to say the four tracks on offer live up to the EP title. The four songs see the trio pulling no punches as they deliver their manifesto in a powerfully incisive manner.
Hey You! is typically vociferous rallying cry. Ashley’s urgent vocal pleading with the listener, over choppy dissonant post punk guitars, to give themselves a metaphorical shake, to wake up and smell the coffee and stand up for themselves. “Listen to me” she implores with increased desperation as the song reaches its climax.
Ashley and her co-vocalist Suky are both performance poets and it is Suky who takes lead vocal on Riots Not Diets. Her distinctive vocals well known to fans of the other band she sings with, Voicex. As the title suggests, the song attacks diet culture and those in the media who perpetuate it. Kicking off with subtle bass, the song changes rhythm and pace several times with a dual layered vocal attack when Ashley adds her voice to the mix.
Gentrification sweeps the nation
One of the EP highlights for me is the woozy laid back rhythm of Gentrification of Leith. The song highlights the ongoing redevelopment of areas pushing out people and businesses who become outpriced. The refrain is an addictive earworm “gentrification sweeps our nation, from the streets of Salford to the shores of Leith”, inspired by the #SaveLeithWalk campaign led by Leith Depot venue.
The other highlight is final track (offering clean and explicit versions) Survivors Write History. This song features catchy post punk bass and scratchy jangly guitars complete with captivating hook and haunting synth soundtracking lyrics exploring depression and the conscious probing of options. Carrying on sometimes the harder option “nothings getting better, it just keeps on getting worse” but ultimately remembering “Survivors Write History”.
Well worth some of you hard earned cash, shell out and add this to your lockdown soundtrack.
Fistymuffs are Ashley – Vocals/Bass, Suky – Guitars/vocals and Nikki – Drums
Bandcamp – https://fistymuffs.bandcamp.com/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Fistymuffs/
Twitter https://twitter.com/Fistymuffs
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fistymuffs/
Recorded in Rusty Burns (ex Fire Engines and current drums for Boots for Dancing and keyboards for Teams Dolls ) studio for those excited by such pop trivia .
I would say produced too but what does that really mean Fistymuffs know exactly how they wanna sound and rightly so.
Oops predictive shit alert …Trama Dolls….