Do you like your punk rock loud, fast and feral? Then step this way!
Ah, The Grace. It’s been a while, but it’s always a pleasure to return to you and your ceiling full of twinkling disco balls. Sashaying around Studio 54-style is absolutely not part of the plan for this evening, though, because things are about to get very loud indeed.
“It’s Thursday evening, shouldn’t you all be in bed?” That’s Lily Rae, the singer/guitarist of Fightmilk, who joined the bill at late notice, and are very happy to be here. Thank goodness we didn’t choose a quiet night in, because this quartet have evidently imbibed the best of 90s alt-rock, and soon prove that seriously catchy tunes and quiet-loud dynamics remain the best of bedfellows. Recent single ‘Sounds Like A You Problem’ makes us want to BOUNCE (but damn my sore back), and your listening homework is 2024’s excellent ‘No Souvenirs’ LP, which they quite rightly lean on heavily tonight.
Thank you, Bratakus, for saying so much of what – unfortunately – still needs to be said, and it’s heartening that the crowd (well, most of us, anyway) listen closely to Scottish sibling duo Brèagha and Onnagh Cuinn when they take on topics like toxic masculinity (‘Real Men Eat Meat’) and poor gig etiquette, both of which are still depressingly familiar in today’s world.
They are proudly political too; a Palestinian flag is displayed on the stage behind them, and Onnagh‘s bass guitar sports the Gaelic inscription “Saorsa don Phalaistain” (Freedom for Palestine). Guitarist Brèagha speaks confidently and knowledgeably in between numbers about the events which inspired their songs.
Sonically there are echoes of their former tour buddies (and Punktuation faves) Maid Of Ace in their sound, but we’re most impressed by the way they take the hallmarks of classic riot grrl and grunge, and play them with almost hardcore intensity. Even the (slightly) slower ‘Drowning’ oozes righteous venom, and like all the best punk bands, they make playing raw, full-throttle punk rock seem like the easiest and most damn fun thing in the world. Never exactly slackers in the live setting, they’re clearly feeling revitalised by the recent release of their superb ‘Hagridden’ album, and they get bonus points for having a drum machine that sounds pretty much indistinguishable from an actual drummer.
Seriously, in an ideal world, there’d be a packed crowd going absolutely apeshit, and if Bratakus can keep up performances like these, then maybe those days aren’t as far away as they might think. Go see them – you can thank us (and, more importantly, them) later.
All Photos/Videos: RUTH RAE
Follow Bratakus on Their Socials:
Need more Punk In Your Life?
The Interrupters are BACK with a new single and 2027 tour dates!
Los Angeles outfit The Interrupters return after four years with a video for their triumphant new single ‘Warrior Spirit’! The new wave-inspired track is rooted
Machete Law, London Devonshire Arms, 10th Oct 2026
Tonight, I find myself back at The Dev, but fear not; though it may be a favourite haunt for London’s goths and metalheads, I’m not
Yur Mum celebrate 10 years of Fuzz with Healthy Junkies & Wonk Unit at The Underworld 27/9/26
A decade ago, Yur Mum realised the world needed more riffs with a Brazilian backbeat. Throwing a great party to celebrate 10 years of the
Album review: ‘The Halloween Album’ by The Goldstars
In need of some spooky tunes? The Goldstars serve up a tasty Halloween treat with their first release in 20 years! ‘The Halloween Album’ has
Meryl Streek, London 100 Club, 8th Oct 2026
Tonight is a cause for celebration on two counts. It’s not just that self-described ‘one-man punk band’ Meryl Streek is on the eve of releasing
EP review: Gorilla Tremors release ‘Gospel According To…’ and preach their rock ‘n’ roll message to the punk congregation.
Gorilla Tremors are wild garage punk rockers who cannot be caged, and prove it with a new 6-track EP! ‘Gospel According To…’ is about the
I spend my days teaching English to foreign students, and my evenings attending as many gigs as possible. Raised mainly on a diet of 90s third-wave punk, my tastes have grown to include just about anything from trad ska to thrash metal. The Ramones are my musical gods.
Did you know that we are 100% DIY? We run our own game. No one dictates to us, and no one drives what we can or cannot put on our pages – and this is how we plan to continue!
