Thursday 4th of July, The Louisiana
Bristol get ready to have your faces ripped off as the noise and visual explosion that is Hands Off Gretel roll into town next Thursday to play a SOLD OUT gig at the legendary Louisiana.
Bristol is the 10th stop on a 16 date, UK wide, headline tour that has sold out most venues already.
Believe the hype around this band as they arrive with their flamboyant, unapologetic, alt rock sound. Spattered with sounds of 90’s grunge and roots in the UK punk scene.
Formed in 2015 in South Yorkshire, HOG consist of creative force Lauren Tate (vocals, guitar), Sean Bon (guitar), Sam Hobbins (drums) and Bristol’s own Becky Baldwin (bass).
The name for the tour is taken from the bands second studio album “I want the world”, released in March of this year to critical acclaim. The album swings from in your face, grunge rock (Kiss Me Girl, Milk and S.A.S.S)
that is faithful to the bands early sounds. To the more pop punk, commercial sound (it’s my fault, blame myself)
reminiscent of Pink, a childhood heroine of Lauren.
The band is self-made, self-created and self-funded. With the new album hitting 100% of its PledgeMusic target within 24 hours. Showing the huge base following they have developed through grit, hard work and talent since bursting on to the scene with “Burn the Beauty Queen” in 2016. HOG are very much masters of their own destiny with Lauren ploughing countless hours into the creative direction of the bands videos and merchandise. As well as somehow finding the time to be incredibly active on social media and very much in touch and open with their fanbase.
The passion of the band for the close to the heart subjects of body image, mental health and loneliness shine through in both records. And will hit the mark with anyone who feels a repour with the subject matter either from past or present experiences. Indeed, Lauren draws on her own experiences of these issues in her lyrics. And this enables a powerful connection, especially with her younger, female fans.
With Lauren & Becky leading the charge the band have set about breaking down the doors and barriers of decades of previous male domination in the heavier genres of music.
The live performances are something to behold. Rasping vocals, melancholy chords, deeps bass and hard hitting drums, mix a smash mouth style that will keep you wondering if you are about too be punched in the face or seductively kissed.
Bands like this don’t come around too often, so anyone with a ticket to the show will feel lucky to have been a part of the experience. And having already ticked off festival appearances at Download, Isle of Wight and Camden Rocks. And garnered airplay across both Kerrang and Planet Rock radio “I want the world” may soon prove to be a demand, not a request.
Website www.handsoffgretel.co.uk
Facebook www.facebook.com/handsoffgretel
Instagram www.instagram.com/handsoffgretel