New album proves to be inclusive and informative!
Post-punk/hardcore band Knives are from Bristol, UK. Committed to creating an inclusive and safe space for people of colour and the LGBTQIA+ community, they are all about inclusivity, diversity, and empowerment within the alternative music scene, and I am glad of it, being part of the LGBTQIA+ community myself!
Formed in 2022 by vocalist Jay Schottlander and drummer Erin Cook while at university in Bristol, Knives began as a bold statement within the city’s fearless music scene. They found bandmates among classmates and gig-goers, assembling a six-piece band fuelled by different perspectives and lived experiences. The result is a genre-defying clash of hardcore fury, post-punk grit, alt-rock wit, and experimental jazz freedom. They have released two EPs, and now their debut album ‘Glitter’, which dropped on 2nd May 2025 via Marshall Records.
The album sees the band fine-tune their chaos into something spectacular – from experimental pedal-stacking to all-hands studio sessions filled with support, ideas, and fearless creativity. The process was collaborative, the energy constant. But ‘Glitter‘ is just the start. Knives is about more than music – it’s about creating space, visibility, and opportunity where there’s often little to be found.
Meet Knives:
Jay Schottlander – Vocals
Erin Cook – Drums
Ben Marshall – Bass
Dan Farren – Guitar
Josh Cook – Guitar
Izzi Allard – Sax
“We’re all completely different people, from different backgrounds,” bassist Ben Marshall comments. “It’s a space I’m happy to have curated because growing up and listening to Metallica, I would never find other black people in that audience. Now we have so many queer and people of colour coming to our shows, and it feels nice to have been able to cultivate a place like that. Creating a place where people feel they belong.”
‘Glitter’ was recorded at Giant Wafer Studios in Llanbadarn Fynydd, Wales, and was produced and engineered by their close friend and collaborator Dominic Bailey-Clay.
On 12th February 2025, not only did they announce their debut album, but they also released its first single, ‘The Dagger’, alongside a music video for the song.
‘The Dagger’ addresses – through gritted teeth – the cultural divide that immigrants face when arriving in the UK, and how the rise of extremist right-wing political influences create a hostile environment for people who are searching for a better life.
And then on 26th March 2025, they released second single, ‘PHD’, with another great music video to accompany the song.
“‘PHD‘ is about how some companies within the music industry can be immoral, yet simultaneously so integral that there’s no escaping them,” shares drummer Erin Cook. “When the band was starting out, an industry person we worked with told us that our entire success was due to them – not to the hard work and effort that the six of us constantly put in. It’s fair to say we found this so infuriating that we had to write a song about it.
Third sngle ‘Rhinestone Cowboy‘ dropped on 2nd May, to coincide with the album release.
“’Rhinestone Cowboy‘ is definitely a crowd favourite.” the band tell us! “At our headline show in Lille, we had loads of crowd surfers and people in the mosh pit, which brings out people’s energy. After our album releases, we’re heading to Europe several times and hitting loads of festivals over the summer, which we’re looking forward to.”
Now, onto the review! It’s very heavy and loud, showing a lot of passion and emotion about things that are happening in the world through their lyrics. The sax helps create a little jazz effect, which sounds so different yet goes so well! Lots of shouting to get their points across, in a hardcore way! Very enjoyable with a headbanging and mosh pit vibe to it!
If you are against all the shit going on in the world and support inclusivity and diversity, then you will absolutely love this band! Check this album out now!
‘Glitter’ is out now via Marshall Records – listen / download HERE
Main Photo Credit: EVENTSDAYFOTO
- THE DAGGER
- RHINESTONE COWBOY
- I HOPE YOU GET IT
- EAT THY NEIGHBOUR
- PHD
- PUBLIC JUICE
- CHROMA
- POST MACHO
- ULTRAVIOLET
- YOU THINK YOU KNOW
- I SEE THEM FALL
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I’ve been going to gigs since I was 18 years old, and have loved them ever since. They are my second home. I enjoy discovering new bands, meeting punks of different ages, and learning more about the scene. I sing, play guitar, and learning the drums. Punk for life!
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