The release of Lady Bird’s debut EP ‘Social Potions’ (on Slaves’ Girl Fight Records label) established the Tunbridge Wells trio apart from the pack. Their boisterous, lairy punk can whip up a riot, but their lyrics – think Ian Dury meets Mike Skinner – offer an intelligent social commentary founded on progressive ideas.
That distinctive approach reaches a fresh peak with the band’s new track ‘Boot Fillers’. It’s a rabble-rousing brawl of punk attitude, metallic riffs and holler-along catchiness, but it possesses a poetic insight that contrasts the direct rebellion of its sound. ‘Boot Fillers’was produced by Jolyon Thomas (Royal Blood, The Magic Gang) with label bosses Laurie and Isaac from Slaves.
In a distinctly British kitchen sink drama, frontman Sam Cox shouts about broken homes and challenging relationships with his mother’s subsequent partners. “The third I’ve had my differences with but they’ve turned out alright,” he opines before concluding, ‘We don’t have to stay the same forever / We can blossom and adjust and someday become better.’
‘‘Boot Fillers’ is about the challenging relationships I have had with father figures throughout my life,’ he says. ‘Something valuable that I have come to appreciate is that It can be difficult for both parties involved.’
Directed by Homer & Farley, the track’s accompanying video places the band’s rambunctious energy in the context of a typical English family home – in reality, it’s drummer Joe Walker’s uncle’s house.
Completed by guitarist Alex Deadman, Lady Bird have enjoyed a hectic summer of major festivals including two sets (on the BBC Music Introducing Stage and The Lock Up) at both Reading and Leeds as well as The Great Escape, All Points East, Truck, Bestival and Boomtown. They’re now set to embark upon the following dates as support to Slaves:
NOVEMBER
7th – Newcastle, O2 Academy
8th – Glasgow, Barrowland
10th – Nottingham, Rock City
12th – Belfast, Limelight
13th – Dublin, Academy
15th – Norwich, UEA
16th – Liverpool, O2 Academy
17th – Manchester, Academy
19th – Leeds, O2 Academy
20th – Bristol, O2 Academy
22nd – Cardiff, Tramshed
23rd – Birmingham, O2 Academy
24th – London, Alexandra Palace