Back in October 2020 I reviewed The Strangerz’s debut release ‘Straight Gay Brother’ and that was a joy encapsulated in under 1½ minutes. ‘Shut Up!’ may be a minute longer but it loses nothing of that short sharp blast feel.
The song is about ‘anger at being spoken over by men who frankly don’t know what they are on about, the scream representing the internal groan all women do when someone starts mansplaining. Its explicit lyrics border on the comedic and ironic side of the misogyny the girls of the band have faced, while driving in that annoyed tone’.
There are things to love about this track. Let’s start with the humour; it’s used to drive home the message. Then there’s the fact that this is punky, very punky. Do be fooled by the gentle start. this thing blasts into a riot of guitar and screams. It’s angry, you get me. And those screams, the meaning of the song in a sound.
Drifting back to the humour. The song is funny, the words are gonna make you smile but it’s all more than tinged with anger and frustration. I don’t know whether there’s a thing called angry humour but this is what this song is.
There’s nothing left to say. This song bloody rocks. It’s a glorious shout of anger.
The info
The Strangerz are an alternative, shouty feminist and punk band with a fun spin on gender norms and gender attitudes. They pride themselves on high energy sets and lyrics which are fun but highlight key issues close to their hearts.
The band formed in college in Doncaster over a lunch time pot noodle with Martha and Shannon, and the band have been making music together ever since.
Band members:
Frontwoman- Martha Kelly (she/her)
Drummer- Shannon Gebbie (sher/her)
Guitarist- Thomas Kelly (he/him)
Bassist- Will Darracott (they/their/him/he/she/her)
Gig Dates.
29th of June- Jacaranda basement in Liverpool
9th of July- Bloom Building Birkenhead
15th of July- The Leopard in Doncaster.
29th of July- Rainbow in Birmingham
13th of August- London for loud women promotions
More dates to be announced
