We’ve been enjoying the high-energy, politically charged noise pop of the Welsh band, Joanna Gruesome since we first heard them last summer. Just off enough to not be totally derivative of a strange riot grrrl-noisepop mashup of old-time favorites Huggybear + early My Bloody Valentine or Medicine, the youthful band crunches out songs that dive from boisterous, guitar-washy pop and screamy punk.
Give a listen to their track “Sugarcrush”, from the full-length, Weird Sister, below.
It seems the band has a less than average origin story too. From the band’s bio:
“They all met in an anger management counseling group. During the course they were told that writing, making music, dancing or painting could relieve tension and help reduce feelings of anger. One initiative involved a project where they were assigned a group to compose and perform a song in front of other members. Initially they found each other infuriating but gradually acknowledged their musical chemistry and decided to continue with the band outside the therapy group.”
The Cardiff-based band is set to revisit our shores for a short tour, dates below. They’ll also be part of the literally just announced lineup for FYF in LA this August. You can also stream the album via their Bandcamp page below to see what you think. It’s available in physical form via their label, Slumberland, and digitally via iTunes.
8/21 San Francisco, CA – Rickshaw Stop *
8/27 Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair #
8/28 Philadelphia, PA – First Unitarian Church #
8/29 New York, NY – South Street Seaport ^
8/30 Washington, DC – Rock & Roll Hotel #
* = w/ Manatees & Popscene Resident DJs
# = w/ Perfect Pussy & Love of Everything
^ = w/ Big Ups
