Hull's Ketamine Kow promote positive messages against a backdrop of raging punk sounds- the true punk spirit!
Currently making a real name for themselves with their blend of righteous fury, socially observant lyrics and brutally distorted post-punk melodies, Ketamine Kow release the single ‘You Call Your Girlfriend Babe I Call My Girlfriend Boyfriend‘.
Like many of their tracks, there’s a strong message behind the lyrics as singer Adam Stainforth describes:
“I think it’s important to write songs about homosexuality because people may be struggling with identity or sexuality.
A song like our new single ‘You Call Your Girlfriend Babe I Call My Girlfriend Boyfriend’ may help them express themselves in a different non-judgemental way. In the past there has been difficulties, name calling, being ostracised etc, but it’s about having the mindset that being gay is natural and you can’t help who you love.
I don’t think it’s had a massive effect on the band to be honest. I think it just makes us more understanding people and we can relate to others on a more personal level.”
Straddling influences such as The Fall, Fugazi, Yard Act and Joy Division, Ketamine Kow have built up a reputation for the explosive energy of their live performances, and have been noticed by the likes of Sleaford Mods. Not bad for five teenagers from Hull who are playing from the heart and singing about the issues that matter to them.
This band tackles topics from being homosexual in modern society, to gender, to taking spam callers and political issues like Abu Ghraib. Everything they do has a meaning no matter how small or ridiculous the song might sound
Ketamine Kow are Adam Stainforth (vocals), Charlie Hall (drums), Lewis Petersen (bass), Harvey Chesterman (guitar) and Max Wilson (guitar).
Keep an eye out- this band have a lot more to say and we’re definitely here to listen!
‘You Call Your Girlfriend Babe I Call My Girlfriend Boyfriend’ is out now via Bomber Music.
Stream or buy the track HERE.

Follow Ketamine Kow on Their Socials
Need more Punk In Your Life?


EP review: Club Brat – ‘4 Songs’
Sure, there are elements of great bands like Fugazi, Refused, At The Drive-In and Les Savy Fav, but Club Brat have taken those influences and


Live review: WitchDoktors, Kingston Fighting Cocks, 5th Sep 2025
Of all the many great punk and rock n’ roll bands that Witchdoktors recall, Rocket From The Crypt are forefront in our minds tonight; not


Shake Some Acton gig #111, London Hope & Anchor, 2nd Sep 2025
Not only do the French quartet turn in a belter of an 18-song set, sounding like a bunch of garage-punks who’ve broken into Devo’s practice


Book review: ‘An Anarchy Of Demons’ By Charlie Harper
Punk legend Charlie Harper recounts many escapades and amusing moments from throughout his long life in his autobiography ‘An Anarchy Of Demons’. It will appeal


Live Review: Die Toten Hosen – Vega, Copenhagen, Denmark 29th August 2025
When German punks Die Toten Hosen (The Dead Trousers) returned to Copenhagen for the first time in about 30 years, tickets for the +1500 capacity


Album review: Launch Control release ‘The Omnipotent Wage’
Berkshire’s best kept Punk Rock secret tell us how fucked the world is! Reading-based band Launch Control are socio-political punks, who have been together since
I’m Molly Tie- I Love punk! I play drums (badly), write a lot about punk (not as badly) and I’m particularly interested in issues relating to women in the music scene.