Loose Articles

Manchester punks Loose Articles are pleased to reveal their new single ‘Are You A Welder?’ released 10th July 2024 via Alcopop! Records.

The single is the latest to be taken from their long-awaited debut album, titled Scream If You Wanna Go Faster, which will be released on 26th July 2024 via Alcopop! Records.

Still riding high from their huge recent support slot with Foo Fighters and lengthy UK tour dates with The Lovely Eggs and label mates CHROMA, the band are delighted to announce a run of July 2024 record store tour dates, plus a new string of Autumn 2024 UK/EU headline tour dates, and will be appearing at 2000 Trees, Rebellion, Green Man, Edinburgh Psych Fest and more this summer (see below for listings).

Commenting on the new single, the band say: “In the illusion of dominance, protection, and strength, society’s stereotype brings home the bacon on gender roles and occupation. Born out of a backseat taxi remark, ‘Are You a Welder?’ sparks up ideas on gender roles centred on conceptions of masculinity and femininity. Career stereotypes claim that gender determines successes in particular jobs; attributes of either empathy or physical strength being ring-fenced for certain people. Firefighters, truck drivers, construction workers, plumbers, electricians—the notion of gendered jobs try to tell us that some occupations are more blokecore than others.”

Tongue in cheek and inspired by the YMCA, the music video comically explores the stereotypical gender roles around jobs mentioned in the song, featuring a special appearance from Sinead Ferguson (the ‘Bitcoin Hacker’), this time taking on the role of salesman and ‘blokecore inspector’ to see if the band are bloke enough for the job. “Special thanks to Johnny Billinge for lending us his workshop, and for filming/directing the shenanigans,” say the band.

A rollercoaster of a release, forthcoming debut album Scream If You Wanna Go Faster covers everything from the highs of being pinball champions to the lows of having to deal with rubbish jobs and managers, inviting all-comers to jump aboard and throw those hands in the air like you just don’t care.

The Loose Women juggled gigging every weekend in 2023 with their 9-5 jobs, somehow finding time to write and record the album, and then still managing to make it to the pub for a pint or two to celebrate.

“We blasted it out in two lots of long weekend sessions to keep the energy high and fast paced, just like our live gigs,” say the band of the experience. “Thanks to the fuel of an array of Pot Noodles and medicinal drugs we created a Loose Articles extravaganza bedazzled with big riffs, footy whistles and cowbells to keep you on your toes!”

Keeping true to their roots, the band recorded, mixed and co-produced the record up north with partner in crime Ian Stewart at Blueprint Studios, on the Costa Del Salford, and the album was mastered by Katie Tavini (Los Bitchos, Rudimental, Arlo Parks, Bloc Party, Nadine Shah).

The recording sessions were full of lots of laughs, cowbells and claps. Days were spent perfecting pinball sounds and synchronised dance routines; then the hard days graft washed away in the great local boozer, The Eagle Inn.

The record will be available on a limited run of tiger-ish print effect vinyl and 4 different footballing CDs (Everton, FC United, The Corinthians Ladies FC and Loose Articles FC).

Now…what are you waiting for, grab your fast passes and get in line for the ride of your life!

Further new music and live dates will be revealed over the coming months.

Debut album Scream If You Wanna Go Faster is released 26th July 2024 via Alcopop! Records

 

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Specialising in discordant, hypnotic repetition, tales of nights out, and radical politics, Loose Articles are a punk quartet with plenty to say. Their music speaks to all those determined to get through the age of austerity with tongue in cheek, and two feet firmly on the dancefloor. Plying repetition (repetition, repetition…) with ragged edges and a sardonic, sarcastic drawl delivered with fierce, in your face, punk-fueled attitude, both feminine & threatening, Loose Articles are here to make a point.

Already heavily championed by Steve Lamacq at BBC 6 Music (where they’ve also seen strong support from Chris Hawkins, Tom Robinson and Amy Lamé) the band have also picked up love from John Kennedy at Radio X, appearing on the Evening Playlist, and have appeared on Spotify’s The Punk List.

Elsewhere they’ve been covered by NME as one of The NME 100 list, endorsed by punk- friendly fashion labels Fred Perry Subculture and Underground England, named as one of Under The Radar Magazine’s 22 for 2022, and have appeared on BBC One’s Football Focus as keen amateur pundits and fans of the beautiful game. Kick Like A Girl was released around the Women’s 2022 Euros, with Shoot Music supporting key sporting playlists - alongside a request from Dave Grohl to support the Foo Fighters in Manchester.

Loose Articles released their debut EP Chaos in  2022 and followed up with 2023 single, ‘Sinead Loves Bitcoin’, which saw continued support from Craig Charles at BBC 6music, Louder Than War, Distorted Sound Magazine and more.

This year, the band are looking to build on a busy 2023 which saw them embark on their Arts Council England funded Kick Like A Girl headline tour, offering intimate access and entry-level insights into the music business to young women (14 - 25) from underrepresented backgrounds, all whilst supporting grassroots venues and northern creatives.

They also supported Gang Of Four on their UK headline dates, appeared at Long Division, 2000 Tees, and Rebellion festivals, as well as a run of EU tour dates supporting LA punk/funk quintet Thumpasaurus, alongside a coveted support slot with fellow Mancunians and post-punk legends New Order at SXSW Festival.

The quartet have also had a line up reshuffle since the release of their 2022 Chaos EP, with occasional stand-in Abbi Phillips (She Drew The Gun, PINS) now taking over from the band’s original drummer Louise Rivett full time behind the kit, who now moves up front to start the party on keys and percussion.