No doubt there are some who would – and will – cynically slag Petrol Girls for being right-on as a self-proclaimed ‘feminist post-hardcore band’, especially given that the South East London act formed in 2013 for an international women’s day gig. And then there’s the politics: Petrol Girls identify explicitly as a feminist band and draw on personal experiences to challenge and ridicule sexism, as well as exploring wider political themes, such as alienation, mental health and the current anti-austerity movement. ‘Lefties,’ the tossers will moan, as if leaning left is somehow a bad thing, a thing of shame or something worthy of scorn. But of course, that speaks more of the position of the UK media right now, and is evidence of precisely why we need bands like Petrol Girls to go out there with al guns blazing.
It was out of the bleakness of rising unemployment and social unrest that punk and new wave emerged, and for anyone who isn’t part of the boomer generation who retired at 55 and invested in half a street’s worth of property to let, it’s every bit as bleak now as it was in the late 70s and early 80s, if not more so. Anger is an energy, and even if you can’t change the world, kicking against the pricks and unleashing guitar-driven fury at least provides much-needed catharsis.
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This three-tracker is gloriously angular, raw, and rage-filled. Sonically, Petrol Girls make for an interesting proposition, melding elements of math-rock, punk, metalcore, and even coming on like early Rage Against the Machine during a few brief bars on the shouty, pissed-off ‘Protagonist’. Alongside the snarling vocals and relentless riffery, there’s melody, too, and some proper hooky choruses.
‘Some Thing’ doesn’t only pack some punch, but proves that Petrol Girls are a (powerful upper) cut above the bulk of their peers.
Petrol Girls Online
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