Wimp – “Vengeance EP”
Wimp is a new, all-girl punk/doom/metal/noise band from Boston. I’d toss in industrial and sludge in there, as well.
They’re also a trans band and though they fit more, musically, into the metal/hardcore style- they are truly punk in feeling because they’re angry and rail against society, in how it views them and treats them. They also rail against the punk community, or at least part of it.
But if you are part of our community and are against them solely on who they are and not their music-
Well, fuck you.
Me, I welcome Wimp. A great part of our music, our history has been made by gay and bisexual folks and all of our music has been made by folks who didn’t fit nicely into the restraints and constraints of society.
Which wouldn’t mean much if their music didn’t deliver.
So let’s drop the record on top of turntable and give this record a spin:
The first song is called “Trans Day Of Vengeance.” Almost all of the lyrics are “Everyday means vengeance,” and though I am of the the pacifist type, can anyone blame this community for having anger against society? Can any kind person blame any minority for having anger against society? It’s starts with an industrial volcanic eruption and an electric third rail, metallic guitar lead. This song reminds me of everything from Krautrock to grindcore to especially, the great, seventies L.A. punk/synth band The Screamers. Cold, industrial metal coupled with energy fueled rhythm, enthused with explosive, emotional vocals results in a really, great song.
“Don’t Critique Boston Punk Or People Will Get Mad At You,” starts with a heavy, dirge-y, doom-y beat that soon erupts into a rockin’, punkin’ rhythm. It about being in the pit at a show, but also, being in life in a way. “When it’s girls to the front and bros in the pit, where do queers in between find a place to exist?” Not sure, I know I park myself in the handicapped spot on the dance floor. “I don’t want your space, I just want my own.” This is a short, angry song that questions acceptance and is poignant and powerful, both in words and sound.
“Good Guy Backed Hard,” has an ominous, industrial sound that is intense in the music as it is in the words. “Don’t give a fuck what band yer in, yer still a piece of shit.” I’m LOL because earlier today talking about the spousal abuses in the White House to my mother, I said- Trump and Kelly, they’re just pieces of shit! This song plows on, in an intense and immense way while the vocals are powerful and emotive, expressing the strong lyrics perfectly. “Good guy back hard is all you have to say?” I say this is a pretty, great tune.
“Cis Boy” (Bikini Kills) starts with some industrial sludge foaming, along with your earwax, towards the center of your brain. A vocal sounding like John Lydon, during early PIL days arises. “I’m so sorry I’m alienating some of you, your whole fucking culture alienates me.” This is a song against boys, the straights, like me. “Cis boy- don’t laugh, don’t cry. Just die.” But as a cis boy if you take offense to this, you’re like the same blockheads who don’t understand the “Me,too”- movement. Or the “Black Lives Matter” for that matter. People get upset when they’re treated unjustly, you would too! People protest when you fuck them over- it should be of no surprise. What is surprising is how great and original, how expressive and true- this EP is.
“Punishment inflicted or retribution exacted for an injury or wrong,” is the definition of “vengeance.”
I was going to The Rat in 1977 and Andy a few years after that. One of the best and most popular bands in the early punk scene was Lou Miami & The Kozmetic. Lou was, and still is, the best front man of any Boston punk band I’ve ever seen. We both loved his band.
Lou was flamboyantly gay and had a female rhythm section. Nowhere in mainstream rock, even at the local level, at the time had openly gay musicians (besides Bowie and Lou Reed and then, as bisexuals) and no one allowed women to be in a band unless they were a “chick singer.” This was also at the time that Elton John was marrying his female publicist to hide his gayness.
My point is- the punk scene has always been about misfits and outcasts and the LGBTQ community has always been a part of us as well.
And though TNB is not political- as we’ve stated before, we have no tolerance for racism, sexism, homophobia or trans gender discrimination- basically, we are against all types of hate.
And though I believe, and hope, there are few or hardly any amongst us-
If you find this band offensive based on who they are, then I ask you to leave our site and not read me anymore.
I ask you this, because though you may like the music we cover.
You’ve missed the whole point.
While Wimp hasn’t.
They deliver their point perfectly.
(Slimedog)
