The Byker Grove Fan Club recently released their second single “King of Scots,” a noisy disoriented take on toxic masculinity aptly timed to this Valentine’s season of love and the ingrained brainwashed consumerism. Following the release of their first single “Cake Shop,” this relatively new group has an EP in the works and these frantically rattling singles to put forth in a time where live shows unfortunately are not safe. Music like this is meant to be experienced live, but we’re just happy that Nine Volt Leap recorded these lads and Bob Cooper masterfully mixed the tenacious tracks. The quality of the people behind the music and their lyricism is an ongoing discussion in my writing, and I always appreciate when toxic masculinity is recognized and conceptualized in art - especially when identifying men themselves are introspective enough to see it as a problem. I commend the evolved way of thinking that The Byker Grove Fan Club exhibit through their creativity, as it helps to dismantle the system of patriarchy and gender roles that hinder our collective growth. It’s the most punk way to go about it in my opinion, and the music matches that ethos with raw and frenetic energy. The official video for the track was shot by DVA films and directed by Emma Parkinson, humorously showing the depravity in question. Check it out and see what TBGFC are all about with “King of Scots.” I’ll be keeping my eyes and ears peeled for this EP, and you should too.
-Alyssa Holland
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THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM - PRESS NOTES:
https://www.facebook.com/thebykergrovefanclub
Written in a time where sharing a portion of cheesy chips was commonplace, and every Saturday night, male entitlement oozed onto the streets, like a miasma of cheap cologne; King of Scots explores toxic masculinity and accepted behaviors of the modern man.
Influences on their sleeves, The Byker Grove Fan Club uses caricature and quotation to batter trust fund twats into submission over a howl of cathartic guitars and crushing drums.
The Byker Grove Fan Club, alt rock, noise rock, punk, politico punk, garage rock, consumerism, brainwashing, "King of Scots", Toxic masculinity
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