"Came alive when you looked at me / Had the hope, that things were going great / Felt numb, cast by your spell / You took me away, you took me away..."
The magnetic spiraling guitar lines that open "Toolish" by London (UK) based punk/alt-rock outfit Femegades draw you into their tight fisted heaviness. Once all the elements artfully stomp in, punchy drums, double time bass, crunchy guitar rhythms and Em's multifaceted vocal countenance, you feel a heady mix of styles. Heavy metal, meets post punk, meets grunge elements and even the ghosts of late 70's classic rock. "Toolish" musically and lyrically has an arc that goes from safety to not feeling safe. A song about male predatory behavior, about unwanted attention, about dis-respecting one's space is a subject that needs to be spoken up about by everyone. Depending on your personal experience, the lyrics punch hard, could even be triggering for some.
How do I know how to get home from here?
I've lost all control
Don't you hurt me
Don’t you touch me again
Get the fuck away
Empty promises, you made a fool of me
What for, just a little taste?
I’ve had enough it’s time to liberate
You're pretty deranged, in desperate need of change
Dragged me down and through the mud
Don’t you take me away
Get the fuck away
I have two daughters and I remember how sick to my stomach I felt when I was told that one would wear backpacks at Festival shows not because she needed to carry stuff but as a point of protection from perverts (usually old perverts) who take crowded venues as an excuse to rub against girls. That made me sick, made me incredibly angry.
I dig the sonics, dig the meaning of "Toolish". Little things, things that might feel insignificant especially to the male mind, the Neanderthal mind, collects, builds up into what is rape culture. Those things need to be called out.
Liner notes:
[Latest single Toolish, is another illustration of Femegades willingness to approach challenging subject matter without fear or favour. It is a song that is dedicated to anyone who has been unable to combat unwanted attention from that guy. Toolish also aims to serve as a wake up call to any individual expressing opinions such as “why didn’t she just fight back?”]
-Robb Donker Curtius
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6ElQLcTpCrv2utVIQcPy5v
https://www.instagram.com/femegades
http://femegades.com/
https://twitter.com/femegades
If Bikini Kill and The Clash had a lovechild but it was raised by Courtney Love, chances are Femegades would be that kid. Having earned an honorary Riot GRRRL badge with their debut EP "Pornsick", the latest offering "Not All Men" picks up right where they left off. With the "Pornsick" EP tackling themes such as women subjected to male violence and consent head-on, this London-based quartet uses the ironically titled "Not All Men" to push the boundaries even further. Staying true to an approach of supplying catchy, clean vocals and melodies with hard-hitting lyrics that are both sensitive to the subject matter and delivered with a sense of optimism. "Not All Men" shows that Femegades have no fear in delving into subjects others won't touch, through their unique brand of militant, melodic punk-rock.
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6ElQLcTpCrv2utVIQcPy5v
https://www.instagram.com/femegades
http://femegades.com/
https://twitter.com/femegades
If Bikini Kill and The Clash had a lovechild but it was raised by Courtney Love, chances are Femegades would be that kid. Having earned an honorary Riot GRRRL badge with their debut EP "Pornsick", the latest offering "Not All Men" picks up right where they left off. With the "Pornsick" EP tackling themes such as women subjected to male violence and consent head-on, this London-based quartet uses the ironically titled "Not All Men" to push the boundaries even further. Staying true to an approach of supplying catchy, clean vocals and melodies with hard-hitting lyrics that are both sensitive to the subject matter and delivered with a sense of optimism. "Not All Men" shows that Femegades have no fear in delving into subjects others won't touch, through their unique brand of militant, melodic punk-rock.
No comments:
Post a Comment