There is nothing better than a MAGA movement in disarray over certain files. Or Trans supportive, Democratic mayor of NYC. Or new Green councillor in Cheshire! Or Zack Polansky in general. Or a new vegan menu in Manchester restaurants. We know small victories but it’s important right? You know what’s important as well? More music from the grass root, working class bands! And if the music is damn good, the band is stylish, political and they kick ass, it’s a winner. Winner, winner, chicken dinner from the Iceland freezer. Ladies and gents and non binary folks: we give you the magnificent The Red Stains!
“Freezer Jesus” single cover, art by Sterling Kelly
Official bio: Cooking up a plastic-fantastic post-punk sound from a collage of musical influences, Manchester-based The Red Stains embrace the kitsch and the tacky as a power to disrupt the male-dominated music industry. They are serving up a freshly microwaved plateful of their distinctive ready-meal-punk with their latest single “Freezer Jesus”. Spiky drums and hypnotic dub-flavoured bass form the funk-infused rhythm section groove, while spaced-out guitar floats alongside a supermarket-scanner synth. Fiery, vivid vocals narrate a Sunday mass for the era of late-stage capitalism: “Well, the joke’s on you/Cause I’ve seen Jesus/Buying chicken nuggets out of an Iceland freezer!”
If the Red Stains existed in the 80’s, or even the 90’s, they would have been on the cover of every music magazine in Europe, dressed to the t’s by Vera Wang and Vivienne Westwood. Our British New Musical Express and NME would be writing about them so often that you’d be truly afraid to open your microwave or the dishwasher. Exaggeration aside but the band has everything that makes the musical groups huge: great tunes, sarcastic attitude, outrageous sense of fashion and they are not afraid to mention social and political issues in their music. These days, the music business is the playground of the rich with industry plants and artificially created brands cosplaying for feminist or independent artists. Grass root, organic groups, those especially with queer, all female or non binary members are being pushed out. And it’s getting harder and harder for feminist, rock or alt bands to make a living.
Despite everything, groups such as The Red Stains are pushing on. The harder the market, the better they become. They release bolder music, make visually stunning social media content, participate in art projects, tour, record, model, take pictures, play with social and pop culture stereotypes. Stains lead singer, Natalie, recently graduated from university with a degree in stage and fashion make up and uses her skills to create absolutely fabulous and wild makeup for herself and the rest of the band. Even with the horrendous stage lighting and semi-darkness in some dive bar, the trio (since Grace Allport ‘s departure) always looks like they have just walked the catwalk for Jean Paul Gaultier.
Released on the 24th of November, “Freezer Jesus” is actually a re-release. The song was originally issued in 2020 and it was the debut single for the band. We wrote a review for the original version, so please check it out. 5 years later and the song is still as ass-kicking and as relevant as it was back then. Now produced by Simon “Ding” Archer (The Fall, PJ Harvey, Imperial Wax) and The Red Stains at 6dB Studios in Salford, the track shines brightly in all its feminist punk riot grrrl glory.
The Red Stains by Jeanie Jean
“Freezer Jesus” stands at 4 minutes and 19 seconds. It starts with a long intro where pulsing bass and marching drums play the main role. Then the song evolves into very interesting mix of 80’s synth pop, Hacienda infused indie punk with Talie Lauren’s signature high pitched vocals. Bass part in “Freezer Jesus” is outstanding. If you love heavy, yet funky and swinging rhythm section in punk, you will absolutely love this song. It gives the composition slight pop vibe but don’t be mistaken – The Red Stains will play a different version live – full of kicks, shouts, and probably a bit faster too.
The studio re-release is different from the original that was faster, dirtier and more classic punk a la Poison Girls or X-Ray Spex. The new version of “Freezer Jesus” is surprisingly slower, more radio friendly and more adult. I kind of miss the messier early take, but this variant must be applauded for its coherence, production and depth. While the “Freezer Jesus” 1.0 had a charm of the 80’s bootleg recording, the 2.0 version is very much BBC Radio 1 broadcast ready. I absolutely love seeing bands develop and grow. Variety is indeed the spice of life and The Red Staines get a 5 stars for their efforts to escape the very narrow definition of punk rock.
I wonder if the new “Jesus Freezer” indicates a permanent evolution in their sound, to incorporate more synth/cold wave? Could the line up change again and expand to 4 piece once more? The band will play a show on the 29th of November in Manchester and the announcement mentions a live synth player, Alicia “Liss” Connolly making her official debut. At this moment, the Red Stains line up consists of Talie Lauren on vocals, Sterling Kelly on bass and Robin Elliott on drums.
“Freezer Jesus” release so close to the Christmas season is a conscious choice. The track will be definitely fighting for airplay with Wham and Mariah Carey, but maybe someone will listen to the lyrics and reach the conclusion that salvation and world peace can’t be found senselessly spending bargain hunting. One has a bigger chance of really meeting our resurrected Lord shopping at Iceland to help stock a food bank than in Selfridges at the Trafford Centre.
I know it, The Red Stains know it, the problem is how to convince the rest of the globe? Any ideas? Answers on postcards, por favour.
“Freezer Jesus” is out now on all streaming services
The Red stains Online:
theredstains.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/theredstains
https://www.instagram.com/theredstains
https://www.tiktok.com/@theredstains
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYzuTUBIZI8jXeXr16cN0PQ
https://soundcloud.com/theredstains
https://x.com/theredstains
Email: theredstainsband@gmail.com
Rita Dabrowicz
Indieterria 