WATCH: Kermes share video for ‘Yr Beast’

Ahead of the release of their debut album We Choose Pretty Names, Leicester’s queer indie-punk band Kermes have shared the new video for ‘Yr Beast.’

Tackling singer Emily’s experiences and those of the trans community head on, ‘Yr Beast’ is a dose of blistering, hard-hitting and incredibly important indie-punk. As Emily explains: “There has been so much noise made about the increased visibility of trans people in the mainstream media, and that’s great, but visibility isn’t the same as actual understanding. Trans people are constantly undermined, ignored and held to impossible standards. Our basic rights are an abstract plaything for politicians to throw around at will. We are mocked and judged and generally treated like shit just for having the audacity to exist. it’s a rigged game, and this song is about refusing to play along anymore… also, it’s a total bop”

Indeed, among all the important societal issues it tackles it is a massive bop; Kermes perfectly balance saying what needs to be said, and making incredibly good music. ‘Yr Beast’ is no exception.

Watch:

We Choose Pretty Names is out on 13 April, and can be pre-ordered now.
See Kermes live:
April
14 – YMCA, Leicester
18 – Gwdihw, Cardiff*
19 – Nottingham, TBC*
20 – Wharf Chambers, Leeds*
* – Supporting Happy Accidents

 

 

Melissa Svensen

Melissa Svensen

Melissa, 22. Editor. Student, music journalist, probably talking about Blur or Bowie