Gen and the Degenerates captivate the London crowd
The band performed a ferocious set at Signature Brew.
Photo: Isla Kerr
Last Thursday, I headed down to London’s Signature Brew to see an epic bill of Comic Sans, Gum Disease and Gen and the Degenerates. It was a refreshing and inspiring evening and — I speak for most there when I say it reinstalled my faith in the direction of the music industry.
At any given moment throughout the night one or all of any of the bands not on stage could be seen in the crowd cheering one another on. The whole evening was supportive and inclusive.
Nothing like the often overlooked and even hated font their name derives from are four piece Comic Sans. The all-queer girl rock band were first up tonight and got the room dancing. With an upcoming show supporting Amyl and The Sniffers in France tonight it feels like they are at the start of something very exciting.
Rachelle Townley (vocals) used every inch of the small stage as she stomped her feet and raised her arms in dance. Townley jokingly informed us she had only been given “certain 10 second slots to talk because otherwise I’d talk for the whole set”. While amusing to imagine and as much as Rachelle made us laugh I think everyone was glad to hear more music.
An enormously fun set that even saw the band breaking into the dance moves of Chappell Roan’s HOT TO GO! came to an end with their own release of last year, Winter in Sokcho. Comic Sans bring light and skill to the two words that have been missing it for so long. I can’t wait to see what else this year has in store for them.
Avery and Phoebe took to stage and introduced themselves: “We’re Gum Disease and we’re going to make your f-cking teeth fall out”. With an intro like that the crowd couldn’t help but move a bit closer to the stage to see what the duo were all about. Their sarcastic looks and friendly jarring made their set feel like you were watching two of your friends interact on a night out.
Avery took a break to tune their guitar while Phoebe mocked how long it was taking and rolled their eyes. Everyone got behind the completion of the task and cheered when we were told it was done. Guitar tuning over and a few more songs out of the way, Avery jumped off stage to sing a track in the crowd.
We were all then asked to put our hands up if we “liked bowling”. A few hands were raised as Avery countered, “well, if you didn’t raise your hand, well done… ‘cause this song is about being abandoned at a bowling alley”. Bowling Alley Carpet began and the crowd got involved.
Statement song Scum was devoted to “every transphobe ever”, with lyrics “If I’m outside the box / It’s not good enough for you”. It destroys gender stereotypes and tonight filled the room with supportive energy as everyone thought back on times they had been boxed where they didn’t fit.
One of the many things you should know about Gen and the Degenerates is, if you ask them to do something you might not get what you had in mind out of it. This is a fact their label are now all too familiar with. Gen explained that upon being asked to “make a song like their biggest hit”, the band found a way to make a track that sounded the same but filled it with sarcastic lyrics. The track goes by BIG HIT SINGLE and, while based on irony, it does make some on-the-money remarks regarding ‘hit’ tracks including “I liked this song when it came out / But don't you think it’s kinda overplayed now”.
Throughout their set two inflatable sharks could be seen on stage, one was introduced to us: “This shark is called ‘Big Blue’ and he has destroyed a projector much like that one in the past”. Gen pointed up to the device hanging directly above the crowd and continued, “So, if we could keep him below sea level that would be great”. Big Blue was released and no projectors were harmed as he was thrown around the room from one set of hands to another.
Girl God Gun was originally written about being non-binary and tonight it was dedicated to a friend of Gen’s who is saving up for top surgery. Before their biggest track could begin, Gen told everyone they would be at the merch stand to collect any money we were able to donate. This is a beautiful evolution of a song that was once so personal to Gen.
Anti-Fun Propaganda was the last track tonight and Gen scoffed as they encouraged the crowd to buy merch before introducing the anti-capitalist anthem. The catchy track had everyone singing along as they relished the last moments of an evening that was ending all too fast.
A night of good old fun. You would find it almost impossible to locate anyone who left that show without a smile on their face. With bands like Gen and the Degenerates, Comic Sans and Gum Disease at the helm of the next generation of music, we can relax knowing it is in good hands.
All photos by Isla Kerr.