When we think of Punk the average Joe will have a very specific image of what that looks like. Spiked hair, piercings, Doc Martens and ripped up clothes. Sure, some punks incorporate these traits in their aesthetic, but at its heart punk has always been about rebellion. A strong sense of justice, compassion and accountability. Doing the right thing, changing the systems that bind us and raising awareness. The Punk message is not just for the alternative. Punk is for everyone to hear and interpret. Punk is queer. Punk is biracial. Punk is helping those who can’t help themselves. Punk is punching an anti-semitic. Punk can be a lady in a restaurant advocating for everyone to get their correct break times, or a guy who has noticed her boss harassing ladies at work and decided to report it. To send a message to those who think they have power over you. “We are here…and we are not afraid”.
Relapse Festival was founded in part by Jim and Ciara of R.P.C. It was previously called Overdose Fest and was based in Limerick. It was then rebranded and moved to Cork after covid restrictions were lifted completely in 2022. This is the first installment of Relapse Fest (and hopefully not the last) in the UK.
John Frum Cargo Cult
First on the bill were John Frum Cargo Cult, a Sludgecore band based in Bristol. They had such a great mix of classic metal flare and modern rhythm; a performance based in style, grit and crunch. They had that energy, the kind only young bands who are just starting out can bring to a show. The guitarists both had flashy axes that were reminiscent of that 80s and 90s ride the lightning, cowboys from hell era. Their drummer hit cymbals like his life depended on it. That kid could swing. Extremely controlled and co-ordinated, with all the grace of a gorilla. If JFCC stick with it and keep working on great songs, they could become a massive powerhouse of a band.
Rabbit Vision (Previously ‘Year of the Rabbit’)
Watching Earth Rabbit’s set was like experiencing a dream you don’t want to wake up from. Easing into the set with a soft shyness and slowly picking up the pace until the dream is in full swing and you have no idea where it is going to take you. Eventually the pace eased up but not for long as their last song was a blast. I really enjoyed Earth Rabbit’s underground sound; grunge with some elements of noise and indie. Their sound had an amalgam of groove and bounce that sounded perfect in the venue’s sound system. Their vocalist ended the set in a haunting spoken word that transitioned into a wave of noise and energy and then they were gone.
Priest Crippler
This band was hi-larious! I don’t think I’ve ever had such a laugh watching a band and would honestly recommend that they do stand up. That being said, in between quips they played some pretty heavy grindcore. Their set consisted of songs with names such as ‘Strictly Cum Dancing’, ‘Punched to Death’, ‘Four Horse Cocks of the Apocalypse’, and my personal favourite, ‘Attack of the Porn Again Fistians’. These guys were incredibly tight with their instrumentals. Every song was short, but with enough energy for three. The set consisted mainly of blasts and rind but there was this great slam riff at the end that really shone through. Priest Crippler had a great stage presence with a pretty relaxed attitude between sets. Though they like to laugh and have a joke, they wanted to highlight the appalling behaviour of the church over the years and their crimes of molestation and hypocrisy. Something that the world forgot about way too quickly…
Hissy Fist
Hissy Fist are such an amazing example of musical activism. They don’t sugarcoat or make metaphors about uncomfortable topics, they say things as they are. Raising awareness around the rise in Fascism, Zionism and the everyday struggles of minorities is the core of their ideology. The band itself have amazing chemistry and work extremely well as a three piece. Their energy was by far the best I had seen that night. They are so unapologetically themselves and are fearless in their mission. Watching their set felt like being front and center at a protest, listening to chanting revolutionaries and the stomping of feet as you move towards a better tomorrow.
12 Gauge Outrage
Now here is a band that I have not seen in a hot minute. I’ve witnessed 12 gauge three times over the years, adding up to a total of 36 gauges. They have such a raw Irish metal sound, forged in the mountains of Enniscourthy. Their sound is reminiscent of that 80s-90s era of metal, with a few djent riffs thrown in. They had a great presence about them and played a super fun set without trying to be too funny. Their songs hovered around the same bpm that is perfect for banging your head or getting down on the floor.
Skeletal Fragrance
Skeletal Fragrance were up next, a “noisy punk band from the southwest Wiltshire and Bristol who have been making ears bleed since 2022”. There was a lot to unpack during this set. There was so much raw emotion from the band. Their music told a story of what it’s like to miss out on your own childhood and grow up when you shouldn’t have to. In between sets there was talk of a dependency on drugs, schizophrenia and how to express trauma through a chosen medium.
The vocalist explained that “we’re not rockstars, we’re just angry kids” and that stuck with me. There are artists out there that just want to make a lot of money and be well known, and then there are artists that need to create to live, as if it is the very thing that fuels their soul…
R.P.C. (Radioactive Puppies of Chernobyl)
This party thrashcore punk unit has come a long way since I first saw them. All the members of R.P.C. fit together like a beautiful lasagna. Each part adds a unique sensation that, when put together, they create this burst of flavour. I have always had fun watching R.P.C. and that night at the exchange was no exception. But furthermore, I have enjoyed listening to them get better and better as musicians and song-writers. Their music feels like it has a definitive direction, like it is following a musical narrative through peaks and valleys. Taking a step back it was clear to see the crowd had entered a flow state that mimicked the band’s, as if they were dancers, acting and reacting to one another. Jim ventured into the crowd with his guitar, like the Pied Piper leading us astray while the rest of the band ripped into the next segment. R.P.C.’s newest member, Alfie, feels like the meat of the lasagna. His rhythm and consistent thunder make the band feel and sound full, especially when paired with Emmet’s bass tone which is beautifully dialed in. When it comes to vocals, I feel like Ciara’s range has improved and strengthened; hitting lows and highs without fault. The music is fast and Ciara has built phenomenal vocal stamina that sits clear and succinctly in their live sound. It is always a pleasure to witness R.P.C. and I look forward to seeing what’s next for them.
R.P.C. were followed by Sarah Tonin and the Whore Moans, a phenomenal queer slut rock band from Bristol, utilising synthesizers and hard rock riffs and an absolutely cracked stage presence.
After them was Peruvian Necktie, Bristolian local hardcore. They played some disturbingly heavy beatdowns and two stepping riffs (which I did indeed get down to).
The last band of the night was Chub. These guys were so much fun! They got the whole room to be a part of the show, inviting three lucky audience members to be tube fed beer and then instructing everyone to take part in a square pit, which is much like a circle pit but you act like you’re walking on a gelatinous cube.
Should you wish to keep up to date with the festival you can find any updates through their Instagram @relapsepromotions or through R.P.C. @rpc.band who will be playing their next show in London on the 28th of February at The Camden Eye.