A spotlight interview with Lucy, Emmi, Siem and Diesel Clitteband, ahead of their appearance at LOUD WOMEN Fest Berlin on 22 February.
How did you choose your band name?
Klittenband in Dutch means velcro. But then there’s the innuendo of the clit, as we are female fronted and feminist, and the band part speaks for itself. Diesel came up with it and it stuck.
Who’s in the band, and what do you all play?
Emmi: singer, second guitar
Siem: main guitarist
Diesel: bass and backing vox
Lucy: drummer and backing vox
and our lovely manager Casper who keeps us from doing stupid shit and is basically our stand-in dad (even though he’s younger than half the band).
Where do you call home (geographically and musically)?
Musically, Hilversum, a town in the Netherlands. We grew up and started there, and this experience colours our music a lot; Hilversum is our roots. We now live in Amsterdam and Huizen, a nearby town.
Describe your sound in three words.
Satirical, colourful, energetic
Tell us about your music.
Our latest release is a scalding and spirited exploration of the current state of life for us in the Netherlands. Bigotry, ignorance, beers in the park, scabies, student culture, male feminists, public transport (and tips for fare evasion), nuclear bombs and the threat of war, nothing is safe. Its name, ‘Gratis Bier Politiek’ (free beer politics), is a play on politicians’ empty promises for a country descending into fascist madness. Our punk is surfy, ska-influenced, sometimes exuberant and sometimes seething, but always eclectic, while racing harder than our cracky black bandbus.
‘Feminist’ is a song about the hypocrisy of some men in the punk scene. Emmi and Lucy both have a shit ton of gnarly experiences with partners, bookers, sound techs, fans, fellow bands and ‘activists’, many occupying a central position in the scene. Many claim to be feminists; many still are completely blind to the ways their actions are harmful to women. Yes, if you’re reading this, that means you too. Pressuring for sex, watching way too much porn, interrupting us, hitting on us during a show, making sexist jokes, centering yourself, not believing allegations, jerking off to our Instagram and not holding your friends accountable (!!!), we’ve seen it all. Feminist is a satirical take on this. ‘I am a feminist, because I watch really leftist porn.’
‘Zeg Die Mannen’ (Tell Those Men) has a range of strange influences: a meme by Dutch rapper KA, the excellent movie Shrek 1, a double flute and Ramses Shaffy. It was the product of a few unhinged drunk nights with our friend Emirhan X and their band. A completely unserious concept turned into a grimy punk/rap song with a serious message. Go listen to it and find out.
What’s your local scene like — and how do you fit in, or stir it up?
Our scene is super young. It only started a few years ago with venue Hillyweird, also run by our manager Casper. Our first show was their first show. Since then, many new bands have formed in Hilversum and many alternative people have found each other. We are the first new punk band to come out of Hilversum, but it has become a very loving and close-knit scene.
If you could rip up the rulebook of the music industry, what’s the first thing you’d rewrite?
How impossible it is to make music your living without conforming to what’s conventional. We need a fairer distribution of money to artists, especially compared to the insane profit that big streaming companies and distributors get.
What’s the wildest/strangest thing that’s ever happened at one of your gigs?
Siem’s feet have been kissed at least 3 times during our show.
What’s the biggest hurdle you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?
We are survivors of an in-band relationship, with all the consecutive twists, turns, gags and an intense breakup. Luckily we just powered on (we’re never getting rid of each other, lol)
What’s the proudest moment you’ve had so far as a band/artist?
Winning the annual Hilversum Pop Prize (as an alternative, queer, political act :D)
What’s the strangest gig you’ve ever played?
We played in the middle of a bookstore once! Ever seen 70 angry punks start a moshpit in a bookstore? Poor owners, the lamps were swinging. But also we’ve played in old cinemas, a barbershop, a campsite, a birthday and many lovely squats. One squat we played in, there was no mic stand, so Emmi taped her mic to a broom. Then the police came to stop the gig midway.
What’s a dream gig or collaboration you must make happen before you die?
Lucy would love to open for Lambrini Girls (PLEASE LAMBRINI GIRLS IF YOU’RE READING THIS!!). Emmi would love to get into contact with PJ Harvey. Siem would die for a Ziggo Dome show. Diesel wants to make a rock opera.
Dream lineup: you + three other acts (alive, dead, or imaginary). Who’s on the bill?
The Slits, the Dead Kennedys and drag queen Divine
What’s next for you?
We are touring pretty constantly right now in the Netherlands to promote our EP Gratis Bier Politiek (go check it out!). We are also writing a new album, but we can’t tell you the details yet 😉
Anything else you’d like to add?
Trump is the greatest threat to our world since Hitler. Support and vote in the interests of people of colour, queer kids, trans kids, immigrants and women.
