It was another night upstairs at Dead Wax, a grassroots event featuring three of the best from the Midlands, screeching, wailing and scratching at your eyeballs, full of bravado and brass neck that you cower in the darkness hoping they don’t come and get you.
Up first are my friends Rooted, and immediately Lily beckons us forward, approach at your own peril I’d say because the claws are sharp and the tunes are incisive tonight.
A vehement voice for the state of women in our society, why do we still feel that we haven’t moved on from our cavemen ancestors?
Life through Lily’s lens is far from euphoric, however the songs create an atmosphere so electric and so exciting that you are hard pushed not to laugh through your tears.
The eco warrior attitude is a beautiful thing, I was honoured to hear them speak at The Night Owl where their manager Andrew Miller hosts a networking event, they are genuinely lovely souls just looking for their place in this world without causing harm to anyone. Their train of thought is relevant in a world that is ‘Spiralling Out’ as my train of thought leaves the station without me. They display a maturity which belies their years. Their songs are a catalogue of charismatic and chargrilled numbers that will happily wax off your facial hair and leave your skin silky and smooth. New single ‘Pushing Roses’ is a delight, sonically punching holes in your nervous system, we are struck by the endeavour and the aptitude.
Showing off new drummer, Joe, we also see Gemma delivering those well tasty basslines and Ethan- blue septum boy, ahem- wiggling and a jiggling as we talk about straps.
As we slide down the bar of decency we are met by ‘Dahlia’ who greets us from the other side, a sad reminder of the shape of our society. Always be ready to catch the little balls of fire that they launch at you, the burns -OUCH!
They leave us ‘Supersonic’ like a much needed gin and tonic; this is only the beginning my friends.
After a short break it was time to ‘crack on’ as we say here in the Midlands with the frighteningly fabulous Cherrydead, a bunch of delicate lasses and a lad, pining to share a delicious yappuccino with us. Emily Drummond reminds me of Heinie, singer from Bitch Alert, there is a mutual anger that permeates, there is a tenacity that is palpable and the entire structure and output of these bands is a deathly brooding, laced with seismic vocal manoeuvres that uplift and dishearten in equal measure.
The physical presence is undeniable; the female contingent are the shieldmaidens, fighting alongside as equals and not trailing behind.
It is evident that the fans always answer when Cherrydead call, we will celebrate ‘My Hell On Earth’ together. A rip-roaring cover of ‘Maneater’ and we were happy for the band to drag us over a minefield, shooting and popping their creativity at us like an out of control trebuchet.
It was ladies’ night at Dead Wax, no time for posh frocks, just a huge amount of talent, that needs your support, now is the time to channel your inner Cynthia, this ‘Forsaken Land’ needs an awakening, the detritus Rooted out and the ground conditioned for a resurgence like no other. The bands are ready, the question is, are you?
Azra Pathan
Rooted/ Cherrydead – 21st February 2026, Dead Wax Digbeth, Birmingham.