Sourflake are making a big splash, and their debut EP, Spite, proves it beyond doubt. As part of a new generation of outspoken DIY punk bands, they have created an album that draws on contemporary punk, hardcore and noise rock, while still including elements of groove and hip-hop.
“Spite is what created the band and we keep going in spite of our own doubts and fears so it only made sense that it’s what we’d call our debut EP.”
— Simone Armstrong, Sourflake frontwoman
‘Spider-bite’ kicks off like a steamroller in true Amyl and the Sniffers style, though with tighter riffs, a more relentless bassline and a touch of noise rock that adds weight without losing urgency. Simone‘s vocals are delivered in an almost spoken style, conveying rage and menace as she tells the story of betrayal and manipulation (“Make your bed with your web / through my pain you’ll be fed”).
From that personal perspective, Sourflake shifts to a more political stance. ‘Like a King’ mocks Charles III with a caricatured chant that is reminiscent of Soft Play or Bob Vylan, until the song makes a shocking reference to what happens to women who get too close to the crown, which wipes the smile off your face. ‘Greedy‘ follows with an urgent and unadorned howl against greed and systemic hypocrisy.
‘Televised Genocide’ marks a turning point in the EP, particularly given the ongoing genocide in Palestine and the conflicts in other territories where civilians continue to pay the price while political and military leaders remain insulated from the consequences. The song’s anger towards power, profit, and the machinery of conflict gives it a painfully relevant message, turning protest into a demand that the human cost of war must never be ignored. This anger is expressed through Discharge‘s purest hardcore style, combined with heavy riffs reminiscent of death metal.
‘Private School’ closes the EP on a sarcastic note, with shouted repetition and unfiltered humour turning class resentment into a punk takedown of the wealthy and socially untouchable. “No, I’m busy next week; I’ve got a ski trip with mummy” is the perfect final line.
That’s not bad for a band that’s just starting out. In fact, it’s pretty good!
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