Live Review | Tongue Trap EP Launch | Sneaky Pete’s

Now lets not make any qualms about this – Sneaky Pete’s is the definitive sweat box venue with only 150 capacity, but it’s carved itself out as one of the leading music and club venues in Edinburgh.

This is a place with grunge appeal, and the perfect way to discover the city’s burgeoning Riot Grrrl scene.

Nine months ago Tongue Trap were formed through the Girls Rock School, a movement which has reignited Edinburgh’s DIY/Punk scene with women at the forefront. The band is made up of Kim on vocals/guitar, Emma on vocals/bass and Sam on Drums and this gig marked the arrival of their debut EP, ‘Girl Crush’.

Supporting the girls were two local acts, Nice Church and Fuzzystar. First up was Nice Church, self-described pastiche rock band who brought to the stage an extended version of track ‘Life is Boring’ and tracks from their EP, ‘Casiotone for the Moderately Alone’. These electronic indie-poppers manage to effectively balance a catchy melancholic sound with equal amounts of deadpan humour.

<a href="http://www.andycatlin.com/">© Andy Catlin</a>
© Andy Catlin

Next was Fuzzystar, the moniker of Edinburgh based Andy Thomson and who have now expanded to become a 5-piece band. This lo-fi strain of indie-pop is undeniably infectious, especially in the track ‘Angel Transported’ with its explosive guitar solo. In quieter moments their propensity for lyrics with a strong narrative really do show, completely drawing in the audience.

<a href="http://www.andycatlin.com/">© Andy Catlin</a>
© Andy Catlin

As Tongue Trap set up, the crowd move defiantly closer to the stage as they ready themselves to do some obligatory moshing to the girl’s grunge infused sound.

Setting the mood was drummer Sam, who upon introducing the band showed some exemplary banter which kicked off a frenzied performance from the three girls. First up was ‘Taco Tuesday’ a track which is reminiscent of The Runaways, ‘Cherry Bomb’ with intermittent screams of ‘it’s Taco Tuesday and it’s all you can eat!’

Next was ‘Celery’ a song written by vocalist/guitarist Kim about her self-proclaimed love of celery. It’s ultimately about something deeper than a delicious snack, it describes a relationship marred by modern life; ‘you tell me I should tell you how I really feel | this life we’re living | really makes me ill’. That 90’s grunge sound is probably most prominent in this track alongside ‘Breath’ which is equally gritty and bittersweet.

<a href="http://www.andycatlin.com/">© Andy Catlin</a>
© Andy Catlin

A cover of ‘Oblivion’ by Grimes is a highlight of the gig. It really shows off their vocal ability and manages to turn the other-worldliness sound of Grimes into something that feels more indignantly upfront. As a frank and highly personal account of sexual assault, it really connects the crowd with the band.

Now the time had come for ‘douche bag prevention’ in track ‘Butt Plug’ which really gets the mosh pit going. As the title suggests this is aimed at all of the rude, opinionated people of the world that you just want to say shut up to, cue a cathartic chorus of ‘You need a Butt Plug!’

<a href="http://www.andycatlin.com/">© Andy Catlin</a>
© Andy Catlin

To finish the night is protest track ‘Period Pants’ which was written as an objection to tampon tax – a highly charged issue which seen tampons classed as ‘luxury items’ subject to taxation. The mosh pit spills on to the stage as Kim lifts her skirt to reveal her period stained pants while they scream ‘I’ve got my period pants!’ in an act of total defiance.

Tongue Trap have proven that despite a short amount of time together as a band, they have fully embraced that DIY punk attitude. A promising act who manage to match the mood of the current political climate while relating to the everyday issues of modern life. Their riotous humour permeates each song, making their music accessible as well as just plain infectious.

Get your Riot Grrrl on below:

Images:  Andy Catlin | www.andycatlin.com | @andycatlincom




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