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Vicious Bishop support Mental Health Week with a new song and a shoutout for CALM

By Ruth Rae
Vicious Bishop main

New single ‘Raining Guillotines’ aims to raise recognition for Mental Health Awareness Week

Lancaster punk band Vicious Bishop released their new single ‘Raining Guillotines’  yesterday, which aims to  raise recognition for this week’s UK Mental Health Awareness Week. A subject close to our hearts and lived experiences here at Punktuation Magazine, we are fully behind the campaign to destigmatize mental ill-health, to encourage everyone to speak about their mental health, and to be supportive when somebody shares their struggles.

Vicious Bishop guitarist and singer Rich Davenport says: “Most of our songs are about getting through difficult times, but here’s no point in just writing about that for its own sake and leaving the listener down there. I’ve been very thankful to have friends who’ve stuck by me during low points, and it’s important to pay that forward, so the song is about trying to do that, having someone’s back when they feel so overwhelmed they want to throw in the towel, standing by them till they come out the other side.”
Vicious Bishop band shot
Vicious Bishop
“Sometimes you can feel isolated when you’re struggling like that, but there are organisations like the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) that can really help – their website (link in the name) has a helpline, and lots of guides and information on depression, anxiety, loneliness, work stress, eating disorders, grief, money worries, and other areas too. They also have an app. Roughly one in four people struggle with their mental health at some point, and organisations like CALM can really help if you’re in that position, or are worried about someone else who’s struggling.”
 
We agree wholeheartedly, and as a close-knit team, we support each other through life’s tough times. We urge you to seek support for yourself, your family or friends when things look bleak.
 
Check out the video for ‘Raining Guillotines’:

Following the release of their 2024 debut EP, ‘Miracle Formula 168’, Vicious Bishop returned this year with their well-received debut album ‘Raining Guillotines’. Picking up where the EP left off, the album features ten high octane shots of punk, punky reggae, and ska punk, with hints of rocksteady and hardcore, all maintaining the Bishops’ dedication to crafting memorable melodies, and ear-grabbing arrangements.

Formed in 2021, Vicious Bishop features drummer Dave Nuttall (ex-Toy Dolls), bassist Adz Woods, and vocalist/guitarist Rich Davenport (ex-Radio Stars). Taking their influences from The Clash, The Ruts, Stiff Little Fingers, Rancid, 2 Tone, the Ramones, Hüsker Dü, Dag Nasty, Bad Religion, Fishbone, Bob Mould, and vintage reggae, rocksteady, and ska, Vicious Bishop’s focus is on delivering memorable, uplifting songs with maximum energy.

The ‘Raining Guillotines’ album is available on CD from HERE and will be streaming free of charge exclusively on the band’s Patreon page HERE. Catch Vicious Bishop live this year – dates below:

Vicious Bishop - 'Raining Guillotines' album cover
  1. Sunday May 24th More2Come Festival, The Victoria ,Coalville, LE673FA
  2. Saturday 30th May, Ivory Blacks, Glasgow, (afternoon gig 2pm to 5pm)
  3. Saturday 20th June, with Andy Ellison , The Suburbs, Guildford, Sounds of the Suburbs 10th anniversary party in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust
  4.  Saturday June 27th, Punk 4 The Homeless, Bunkers Hill, Hockley, Nottingham, Early start, TBC
  5.  Friday July 24th, the Bobbin, Lancaster, with Dave Aston
  6. Wednesday 5th August , Fringe Fest 2026, The Washington, Blackpool
  7.  Saturday 12th September, the Bobbin, Lancaster, with Kid Klumsy
  8.  Saturday 14th November, Barrow, venue TBC, with PV77
  9.  Saturday 28th November, the Black Bull, Gateshead
  10.  Saturday 5th December, The Alma, Bolton, 5:00 PM start, Strollers’ Xmas Bash ’26, with Bareknuckle Strollers, Benefit State, the Deceased, Tri Subversion, 77 Spears, free entry
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