“Dump your boyfriend and bang your own drum” Holy Moly and The Crackers Live Review

“Dump your boyfriend and bang your own drum”Holy Moly and The Crackers Live Review

‘Party music for the masses’

“The motto is dump your boyfriend and bang your own drum,”  yells Ruth Patterson, vocalist to the eclectic Holy Moly and The Crackers. At The Joiners in Southampton, the band explode into upbeat number, ‘Sister’ pushing the message of self-love, self-worth and sisterhood as the crowd take in such a significant preach.

Formed in 2011 in Newcastle with no more intent other than to have a laugh and busk, Holy Moly and The Crackers are starting to make a name for themselves around the country and are bringing a modern twist to our idea of ‘folk’. In the band’s bio it states that they “make riotous music for the masses” and this is not a lie. The band combine elements of pop, indie, dance, alt-rock and folk making them an ideal transition for someone who perhaps isn’t entirely into folk but still fancies a dance (i.e. me). 

The set this evening combines old tracks and newer additions from their latest album, Take A Bite released earlier this year (you can read my review HERE). The vocals are shared between Patterson (who also plays violin) and Conrad Bird who dabbles in vocals, guitar and trumpet. It’s undeniable the energy the entire band bring however, Bird’s unique energy is suggestive to that of Eugene Hutz, frontman to gypsy-punk legends Gogol Bordello. Bird bounds around the stage whilst the other four members feed off his and Patterson’s vocal strength whilst remaining exceedingly tight with each other- a sign of a band that belong together.

The Newcastle six-piece give folk a modern twist and are keeping the genre fresh with their contemporary takes on the genre as we know it. Holy Moly and The Crackers are anything but boring and deliver nothing but refined skill, great tunes and a party.

Catch them on tour HERE