Helle | Skint Knees | Queer of Hearts
Fox & Newt, Leeds
18th January 2025
January is all the time quiet as reside music takes a well-earned relaxation. Whereas others are hibernating, it’s time to monitor down among the newer bands who’re braving the wintry blasts. Neil Chapman headed all the way down to the Fox & Newt to take a look at Helle.
A punk line-up within the Fox & Newt is a nice solution to blow off the cobwebs and break that Dry January decision nonsense (they do serve a imply beer down there). So, it was a put up New Yr’s increase to discover a gig that includes Helle who’ve been on my watchlist for ages. Punk has a long-standing affinity for pokey pub backrooms. This can be upstairs, however a line-up of punks with a ardour is all the time good. Tonight options 3 bands I’ve by no means seen earlier than, so it’ll be a voyage of discovery.
Queer of Hearts are first up. A four-piece band from Bradford. They’re Marge (vocals), Liz Deadly (guitar), Jennie Drastics (bass) and Shi (drums). They tear by way of a brief set of punk protests with breaks for added protest. My favorite matter was a rant about Revolt Pageant ticket pricing as youthful punks can’t afford it and need to hear outdoors consuming cider. The set was barely abbreviated by forgetting to play one in every of their songs. A whistle-stop tour of what’s to come back. This transient glimpse was value checking them out once more with a future headline slot at Wharf Chambers within the pipeline.
Skint Knees are a RiotGrrrl punk outfit from Sheffield. Rainbow scarves are neatly tied onto mic stands earlier than they take to the stage. They play quick and unfastened storage punk and on tonights proof are completely sensible at it. Vocal duties swap across the band members, with three of the 4 selecting up a lead vocal. All of them produce other jobs too with Jinx (guitar, vocals), Bella (guitar, vocals), Sam (bass, vocals) and Rachel (drums, smiling tons and mischief). The lyrical content material rages throughout a great deal of matters with a feminist/LGBTQ+ slant. The set flies by, even given time for viewers participation throughout Cheerleader. Finely crafted tunes, a great deal of humour, taking part in tight, screaming indignant phrases. Pure punk perfection on tonight’s show.
Final up are Helle. They’ve been making some waves across the pubs and golf equipment of Leeds. A few competition appearances sees them on the rise. The band are Elsie Gaia (vocals), Ellie Kirkwood (bass), Dan Zanelli (guitar), and Ethan Aldwinkle (drums). They’re a fierce female-fronted feminist centered punk outfit with a contemporary gothic rock vibe.
Helle’s recorded output consists of some singles and an EP which consolidates the singles. Nearly all of their recorded work seems within the set tonight. They open with Scream!!! which kicks off with a tirade of drums and a fuzzed-up bass. There’s a palpable anger, laced with disdain, within the lyrics and the songs are fuelled with a real sense of rage. Sweetheart retains up the tempo and the vibe. All through Elsie is a entrance lady who grabs the eye throwing herself into each phrase and putting poses all through.
The Scarlett Fever and Skeletal singles come subsequent. Skeletal shifts the fashion right into a gothic monster of a tune. There are moments after they appear to be an unholy trinity of punk, goth and steel. One way or the other all of it works and tonight’s crowd is feasting on it.
A slight pause arrives for an viewers participation second for I’m A Vegetarian (However I Nonetheless Eat Boys). The group duly take part with the chorus of “It’s Disgusting!” as Elsie lays out a miserable view of what it feels prefer to be feminine on the receiving finish of undesirable consideration. It’s been a typical theme referred to as out by feminine punk bands for 4 many years. This extra direct cannibalistic strategy might be the ultimate answer.
There may be time sufficient to provide the upcoming single Hyper Bitch an airing. It sounded nice and is scheduled for launch on the finish of January. An ideal punk gig, for the worth of a pint, was simply what is required to get by way of a seemingly limitless month.
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Queer of Hearts are on Fb and Instagram
Skint Knees are on their Bandcamp, Fb, Instagram and Tik Tok
Helle are on their Bandcamp, Fb, Instagram
Phrases and photos by Neil Chapman (Unholy Racket). You may go to his creator profile for Louder Than Struggle. He’s normally discovered on Fb and Instagram
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