Photo Credit Neil Chapman
Barnsley’s ferocious four piece HANDS OFF GRETEL have released the video for SHE THINKS SHE’S PUNK ROCK N ROLL, one of the three tracks on THE ANGRY EP released on their own Puke Pop Records. Watch the video
Singer Lauren Tate said: “This song for me is about standing up and speaking out as a woman in music. In my frilly dress, I’m as punk rock as anyone else; what I dress like and look like doesn’t change that. Punk for me is a feeling of self-freedom and challenging societies norms and, as a woman, I feel right now women have a lot to be angry about in regards to standing up against being sexually assaulted and groped at shows. We are their voice. I wanted the track to just sound raw and punk as hell, proving that I can do it like the rest of them in my frilly dress and that women shouldn’t be seen as different to men when it comes to music. We shouldn’t be put in different genres because of gender”.
The three tracks – SHE THINKS SHE’S PUNK ROCK N ROLL, DON’T TOUCH and BIGGER THAN ME – are all live favourites that fans have repeatedly asked the band to release, and were recorded with Jim Pinder at Tree House Studio in Chesterfield. The EP is available on CD and limited edition 10” white vinyl from www.handsoffgretel.co.uk and from all major download and streaming platforms.
Talking about the EP, Lauren, who also designed the artwork, said: “It was great to get into the studio and record some tracks that didn’t make it onto the album. The Angry EP captures the energy and aggression of our live shows, which is something we totally wanted to do after releasing our latest album, which has a more polished sound. The EP is honest and raw, just how punk rock tracks should be, and we know these are favourites with our fans so it’s great to finally release them”.
The release coincides with the band’s huge headline DON’T TOUCH tour of the UK and Ireland in early 2020. Remaining dates as follows:
MARCH
Thu 12 LONDON Camden Assembly
Fri 13 BRIGHTON Green Door Store
Sat 14 BRISTOL Thekla
Thu 26 NOTTINGHAM Rough Trade
Fri 27 MANCHESTER Deaf Institute
Sat 28 SHEFFIELD Leadmill 2
APRIL
Wed 08 BRIDGWATER Cobblestones
Thu 09 EXETER Phoenix
Fri 10 SOUTHAMPTON The 1865
Sat 11 BEDFORD Esquires
Wed 22 ABERDEEN Krakatoa
Thu 23 GLASGOW Nice N Sleazy
Fri 24 EDINBURGH Bannermans
Sat 25 LINCOLN Showground [with Skindred]
MAY
Wed 06 CAMBRIDGE Portland Arms
Thu 07 BIRMINGHAM Academy 3
Fri 08 CARDIFF Clwb Ifor Bach
Sat 09 BUCKLEY Tivoli
Wed 20 OXFORD Bullingdon
Thu 21 YORK Crescent
Fri 22 BLACKPOOL Waterloo
Sat 23 NEWCASTLE Cluny 2
Tickets available from: www.handsoffgretel.co.uk
Speaking about the tour, Lauren added: “We are looking forward so much to getting back out on tour and kicking off in Ireland, which will be our first time playing there. Our tour in 2019 was fantastic; we had so many sold out gigs and we’re hoping we can do the same in 2020. The crowds have definitely grown and it’s nice to see the hard work finally paying off; playing to a full room is what any band works towards. There are some new venues on the tour as well, which we’re really looking forward to.”
HANDS OFF GRETEL revive the white-hot rage of riot grrrl and grunge mixed with bubblegum pop. Following an incredibly busy and successful 2019 which included the release of their highly acclaimed second album, I WANT THE WORLD, a largely sold out 38 date UK and EU tour, and appearances at major festivals including Isle of Wight, Kendal Calling and Y Not, the DON’T TOUCH tour in February, March, April and May is their biggest yet.
22-year-old Lauren Tate fronts HANDS OFF GRETEL. She has written both of the band’s albums as well as releasing and touring a solo album in 2019 on her own record label. She also designs all the band’s artwork and merchandise and is the creative force behind their DIY videos which have amassed over two million views on YouTube alone.
Speaking about the second album I WANT THE WORLD, Lauren says: “It feels like I wrote this album six years ago in a school toilet whilst skipping class and hiding from the world. I felt so ostracised and alone, like I didn’t fit in anywhere. It became my mission to sing for the outcasts, the weird kids, the ones that feel misrepresented in society and left behind like I do. I made it my obligation at 15 to make as much noise as possible as a young woman, to challenge everything.”
HANDS OFF GRETEL are completed by drummer SAM HOBBINS from Brigg; guitarist SEAN BON from Ireland; and bassist BECKY BALDWIN from Bristol.
WEBSITE https://www.handsoffgretel.co.uk/
