Primitive punk salvos, abrasive rock’n’roll, scuzzy hedonism. YOBS return with new single
LIVERPOOL punks YOBS are dropping the politically charged ‘Head The Ball’ from their self-titled debut album, out May 3rd on Fuzz Club.
Taking no prisoners, YOBS deal in hard-edged, primitive punk salvos, abrasive rock’n’roll and whilst rooted in a scuzzy hedonism, never shy away from more serious subject matter, with the ferocious ‘Head The Ball’ taking aim at sneering middle-class elitism, and the structures that perpetuate such divides.
“I’m not sure ‘Head the Ball’ is a northern thing or a scouse thing, but it basically means someone who is a bit of a wild one, or a bit different,” explains frontman, Joey Ackland.
“It is derogatory I guess, but we are reclaiming it! The song is about how middle-class prep boys look at the working class. Like we are all idiots they can manipulate into thinking they are somehow more important. I have a lot of anger towards that kind of thing.
“The whole meritocracy thing. It’s not a level playing field, and the education system is there to preserve the class divide. We never aimed to be a political band, but it’s pretty hard not to be influenced by the growing populism and this yearning to be an elitist.
“It’s gross, isn’t it? So, this is saying ‘fuck you’ to them. Don’t look down your nose at us, when you are licking the boots of the royals, waving shitty flags and supporting the likes of Johnson or Trump. Anyway, Vive la revolution, vive le Yobs!” Emerging from the rubble of defunct Liverpool bands Weird Sex, and Ohmns, YOBS consists of Alex Smith (bass/vocals), Michael Quinlan (guitar/vocals), George Gebbie (drums), and Ackland.
YOBS live:
April 19 Liverpool, Quarry
May 3&4 Eindhoven, NL, Fuzz Club Festival
May 18 Manchester, Meltchester Festival
June 22 Southampton, Heartbreakers
July 5 Portsmouth, The Vaults
July 7 London, The Old Blue Last
CONNECT: Music | YOBS (bandcamp.com)