Catching up with PUSSYLIQUOR
Photo by El Hogg
Words: Eerie Rose Photographs: El Hogg, Eerie Rose and Derek Bremner
After initially meeting at various house parties, I first saw PUSSYLIQUOR play at the Old Blue Last in Shoreditch in the autumn of 2017. Immediately captivated by the punk band’s energy, going to PUSSYLIQUOR shows soon became routine amongst our circle of friends, a cacophony of art school students, musicians and young queer outsiders. The band built themselves a serious reputation amongst the underground punk scene, and while their hiatus didn’t hugely take anyone by surprise, with Covid halting live music and keeping members separate across London and Brighton. As the years passed and London’s music scene started to claw its way back, the hole that PUSSYLIQUOR left became an increasingly gaping presence that was really hard to ignore.
The announcement of PUSSYLIQUOR’s return last summer caused a buzz hard to equal in words, and to be able to host this first show back as part of 5.18’s issue 4 launch was an honour; a full circle moment, from the last time they played a 5.18 show back in 2018. So much has changed for all of us since that first show together in New Cross, but whilst emptying bin bags of balloons onto the crowd of both new and familiar faces at their comeback finale, I felt the same energy in the room as I had done all that time ago.
I wanted to catch up with the band after their last few months back playing shows, and see what they’re looking forward to as they begin a busy 2024.
It’s really true - PUSSYLIQUOR is back, baby. There were definitely points it looked like it might never happen - what led to this comeback and why now?
So there was a lot of umming and arring for a while, but the thing that solidified our decision was getting a random offer from Shambala festival (thank you squatters tights stage!). It seemed like fate so how could we not, a festival offer after years of silence? What a way to make us feel truly wanted! Plus we just missed everyone so much, life was not the same without PUSSYLIQUOR.
How has it felt playing shows again and making new music? Is it like getting back to how things were, or do things feel different this time - when you played the 5.18 event back in 2018, how were you feeling about where the band was headed - and how do you feel after playing the most recent one for your comeback? Has your vision for the future changed at all?
Some of us felt stage fright for the first time in a long time, whereas some of us were itching to get on with it. We’re older now and our backs hurt too. It definitely feels different though, in a good way - we feel like we’re hitting peak performance, musically and with banter.
Honestly, we don’t remember anything from 2018. No one does, don’t act like you do! Those people are complete strangers to us now, perhaps even enemies. Keep your enemies close and your memories distant. Morally, our vision is the same but we would say we’ve become more refined in our message. You are watching the growth of PUSSYLIQUOR in real time! Thanks for growing with us. May this interview response bring honour.
Photo by El Hogg at 5.18 issue 4 launch and PUSSYLIQUOR comeback show, summer 2023
Photo by Derek Bremner, 5.18’s second event at The Five Bells in 2018
We’ve got to hear new music at these recent shows, one in particular (hit song!) I loved it immediately but became even more obsessed with it after hearing its origin story at the show at Dream Bags Jaguar Shoes. Can you tell us a bit more about the new music you’ve been playing, and whether we can expect it to be released anytime soon!
Thank you, we are glad you enjoy our music. A lot of the new songs we’ve been playing recently aren’t new, just reimagined like hit song. But we have been writing new songs too which you will be hearing at our live shows! Yes, we will be releasing hit song along with 3 other tracks of ours on our new EP: it’s PUSSYLIQUOR not rocket science. This EP will be on streaming platforms March 30th and physical copies are soon to follow.
You’ve been playing lots of shows in Brighton again as well as London, I caught one back in the summertime with The Damn Shebang at The Hope & Ruin. Has the Brighton scene changed since your first shows, and has it been exciting finding a new audience as well as reconnecting with your original one?
Yes, it’s definitely changed! If anything it’s expanded and become more vast. People feel very involved and supportive. It’s been very nice meeting lots of new audience members, welcome to the journey of PUSSYLIQUOR. Please enjoy the ride.
What’s different about playing shows in Brighton vs London, or elsewhere? Are there any other places you really enjoy playing?
In Brighton they make you work for what you got. Must shake ass 5x harder than usual. Londoners are just unhinged. Speaks for itself. Both London and Brighton always got our back as they’re our homes.
We’ve only started dipping our toes in other places, but we love playing in Bristol, trying to make it our third home. Looking forward to playing Manchester again too.
Photo by Eerie Rose at Paper Dress Vintage, 2023
Photo by Eerie Rose at New River studios, 2019
As well as finding new fans, you’re playing with new bands and becoming a part of new scenes. What artists or bands have you most enjoyed playing with, or who do you think we should also keep an eye on at the minute?
Recently played with Pussycat and the Dirty Johnsons along with the Sinictones in Bristol, love their bands and really enjoyed that lineup. We also played with Hot Wax which was a lot of fun. Electric Cowboy Club are amazing and definitely ones to watch.
You played Shambala - how was that? I’m hoping to see you on many more festival line ups next summer too…is that the plan? You’re already on the lineup for Rebellion festival - what else can we look forward to!
Shambala was so much fun, the crowd was amazing and we absolutely loved it. Thank you again to the festival for having us. It wasn’t our first festival though, before our break we played Rebellion introducing stage and made an appearance at Glastonwick which was very wholesome. We’re yet to announce, but we will be on another line up for festivals this summer so watch out! On the topic of festivals we’ll be going to Taiwan to play Taiwan music festival which we’re super excited about!!!
We had originally planned this interview for January, signing off by asking your new year's resolutions - but that can work for March as well!
Our resolutions were to be cool and swag and lets just say we are being very cool and swag yes at the same time. Thank you for reading our interview and thank you 5.18 for sending us questions and being interested in us (PUSSYLIQUOR) . We value your time and continued support.
Lots of love
xxxxxxxxxx
Follow PUSSYLIQUOR on instagram to keep up to date about upcoming shows, and new music releases.
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