The Menstrual Cramps

“One of the most fun and filthy freedom-fighting feminist punk bands in the UK” - Louder Than War [9/10]
“Politically charged and absolutely in your face…a true embodiment of the spirit of punk” - Uber Rock
“Stun in an instant with their distinctive, naturally authentic ’77 punk sound” - The Moshville Times
“The perfect soundtrack for any feminist activist to rage and recover to” - Get In Her Ears
“Nazi-kicking, guitar-swinging, feminist-singing riot grrrls” - Underground England
“This country needs bands like Menstrual Cramps” - Bristol 24/7
“Supremely listenable and politically-engaged” - Loud Women
“Outspoken and hilarious” - When The Horn Blows

Bristol-based punk band The Menstrual Cramps have revealed a new single titled ‘Antagonistic’ and set for release on 23rd May 2024 via Alcopop! Records.

Commenting on the new track, which charts vocalist Emilia Elfrida’s experiences of working in a homeless hostel during the pandemic, the singer says: “It’s about how I felt about everyone else who could work from home or be on furlough—learning a new skill, baking banana bread, writing a new album, drinking red wine. I resented everyone who wasn’t a key worker.”

“Working in the homelessness sector is a difficult job at the best of times, with the lack of support from the government, the lack of housing options for homeless people, the cost of living crisis, and the consistent underfunding across the sector. But during COVID each difficulty was vastly intensified. I didn’t know if the people I supported were going to die. I didn’t know if me and my colleagues were going to die.”

“I remember clearly, during a work meeting, a senior staff member talking about a lovely evening drinking red wine on their balcony whilst in a discussion with us frontline workers about a young mother, living in temporary accommodation, whose boiler had broken. This senior staff member didn’t class having any hot water or heating as an emergency, whilst there was an ongoing pandemic where cleanliness and washing your hands were key messages to stopping infection.”

“To me, this interaction summed up the stark contrast of people’s lives during COVID, the value of work, the virtue signalling of clapping for key workers and the dark depths of capitalism within the backdrop of a pandemic. This song is me trying to process and come to terms with the anger and trauma I experienced working through COVID and how this has shaped me as a person and as a support worker.”

Never ones to shy away from shining a spotlight on political issues through their music, The Menstrual Cramps proved that they also take their real-world activism deadly seriously when they made headlines earlier this month with their Bands Boycott Barclays campaign, targeting the Barclaycard sponsorship of The Great Escape Festival over ties to arms companies supplying Israel.

Over 150 artists pulled out of the festival in solidarity, with international press coverage from the BBC, The Guardian, Rolling Stone UK, NME, Mixmag, The Face, Huck Magazine, DIY, DAZED, STEREOGUM and many more, alongside public solidarity from notable names including Brian Eno, Massive Attack, and Jeremy Corbyn.

Already appearing at Manchester Punk Festival 2024 and Outer Town Festival 2024 earlier this year, the band are now barreling towards a busy summer festival season with appearances confirmed at 2000 Trees, TRUCK, Bearded Theory Festival, Glastonwick, Bristol Pride, Hand Fest and more to come (see below for full listings).