Here are Punktuation editor Ruth's pick of the new bands rising:
Split Dogs
Born from the frustration of seeing music becoming commodified and soulless, vocalist Harry Atkins and guitarist Mil Martinez formed punk ‘n’ roll band Split Dogs in 2022, the band name pulled from the classic zombie film ‘Return of the Living Dead’. Bass player Suez Boyle joined them in 2023 – already a prominent figure in the queer punk scene, Suez played the first ever Rebellion Festival aged just 16 with her band The Walking Abortions. Drummer Chris Hugall, an old friend of Martinez and former member of ska punks Mouthwash, had been helping to design the band’s artwork, and in 2024 he joined Split Dogs full-time, cementing the current line-up.
Their raucous live shows and infectious lyrics soon saw the four-piece make a name for themselves among the punks of Bristol, a scene that has always welcomed LGBTQ+ and marginalised people. Their firebrand of frenzied, high-voltage rock ‘n’ roll is spreading fast and wide throughout the punk rock community and beyond, and Split Dogs gigs are eagerly anticipated events.
Having played to sold out rooms across the UK and in mainland Europe, the band grabbed the attention of UK label Venn Records (Gallows, Bob Vylan, High Vis) who will be releasing Split Dogs’ second album ‘Here To Destroy’ on 28th February this year.
Previous singles ‘And What?’ and ‘Monster Truck’ were followed with their latest two-minute killer ‘Precious Stones’: Catch Split Dogs on tour near you – info and tickets HERE
Bad Nerves
Essex garage punk five piece Bad Nerves had been flying under the mainstream radar for a couple of years, but in 2024 they supported The Hives and Nothing But Thieves on their UK / US tours, almost sold out their own UK headline tour, and found time to release their second album ‘Still Nervous‘. The bastard child of a Ramones/Strokes one night stand, they play ferociously fast distorted pop songs, with melodies that hook so deep, even the most skilled lobotomist would struggle to scrape them out! Bobby Nerves on vocals, Will Phillipson and George Berry on guitars, Jon Poulton on bass and Sam Thompson on drums make a formidable noise – and have been labelled by Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong as “the best band in England right now.”
Their blend of fast-paced garage-punk has been wowing audiences in the US, Europe and the UK, and there’s plenty more to look forward to, with support slots announced with Green Day and Weezer, and becoming firm favourites on the festival circuit.
Spleen
With a 3 track EP featuring their own compositions ‘Dystopic School‘, ‘Affected Kid‘ and ‘What’s Behind the Sun‘ released last summer, the guys followed up with one of the best cover versions I’ve ever heard, giving XTC‘s ‘Making Plans for Nigel‘ the raw punk edge it had always been lacking until now: If Spleen are not tearing the roof off the Introducing Stage at Rebellion Festival this summer, I’ll be damned!
Angerland
A dark groove for dark times, London based (but drawn from the four points of the compass) Angerland deliver a visceral amalgam of their collective influences. Making their live debut under the Westway at the Grenfell Tower “Unity In The Community” show in 2018, the band spent the following 18 months playing shows in and around London, including two in a day at the Camden Rocks Festival, plus support slots with the The Dirty Strangers and Soap Girls.
Following a near two-year hiatus due to Covid, geography and the loss of half the rhythm section, the band are now back up to full strength with Jon Stone on vocals, Andy ‘Kermit’ Keir on bass, Ian Fisher on guitar, Rex Bygate on keyboards and Cristian Prigoană on drums. A heavy punch of rage and roll, fueled by the DIY spirit ofpunk, they are currently recording their debut album with Tim Hamper at Viva Recorders. In 2024 they played support slots to Evil Blizzard and Theatre of Hate, receiving great receptions and feedback from both shows.
Angerland’s debut 2020 EP ‘The Clown King‘ featured 3 tracks; ‘This Blood Machine‘, ‘A Comedy Of Hate‘ and ‘The Clown King‘, a tribute to the Clown King himself; Donald Trump. A mesmerising and encapsulating reflection of the worldwide circus of leaders, branded by Facebook as political slander, restricted by YouTube as indecent, the video couldn’t have been more appropriate! ‘2020 Visions‘ came out in 2022, and recently released single ‘Neon Dead‘ draws on the soundscapes of icons such as Killing Joke and Ruts DC, plus the thunderous feet of thrash: If you’re missing Killing Joke (who isn’t?) keep an eye out for Angerland’s live dates HERE
Girl Tones
Nashville, TN sisters Kenzie and Laila Crowe are both classically trained musicians. Kenzie transitioned from cello to guitar and Laila from piano to drums, and now they are creating a brand new repuatation for themselves are purveyors of a different style of punk with their band Girl Tones. It shouldn’t work so well, but it does – it’s simultaneously complex yet simple, raw yet melodic, and magically engaging.
In their short but mighty existence, the duo has toured with Cage The Elephant, already crossing off the bucket list venue that is Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Nashville.com said “Girl Tones are quickly moving from a regional favorite to a force to be reckoned with on a national scene” with Alternative Nation likening the duo’s performance style to that of The White Stripes.
If you’re looking for something different – you’ve found it! First single of 2024 ‘Fade Away‘ saw the duo host a rageful pity party. Crushing flowers, tearing through walls, and rigging drum kits with balloons, Girl Tones thrashed over being burned over and over again. Follow-up single ‘Again‘ burns with no less commanding intensity: Girl Tones are writing new music and will be heading out on the road supporting The Velveteers in the US, and Cage The Elephant again in the UK and Europe in 2025 – more info HERE
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Usually found jumping around down the front at gigs, I also relish taking photos and videos, singing, speaking with fellow music fans, and asking musicians the questions nobody else does. Writing about my favourite bands and connecting with people who love music too keeps me more-or-less sane! I’ve worked for over 25 years at a video production company, mainly filming live music events, therefore I have an additional backstage perspective on the scene.
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