In this episode of Punk Rock Creatives, Marie chats with Chlo from London-based orchestral punk band THWACK! about queer icons, their brilliantly bonkers “Margaret Thatcher Blood Snatcher”, their EP Buried But Blooming, the recording process and an exciting new collaboration in the works.

We talk about their experiences playing Glastonbury and Rebellion, as well as some of the wonderfully theatrical grassroots art and music spaces they love, including The Cavendish Arms and The Bread & Roses in South London.

The conversation also takes in Central Saint Martins, the current state of the world and what it actually means to function as a modern independent creative — juggling the music with promotion, social media, visuals and everything else that now comes with it. Or, as the band conclude: Mick Jagger didn't have to do all this!

Plus, we tackle the important question of which member of THWACK! would survive a zombie apocalypse, and much more.

In this episode of Punk Rock Creatives, Marie chats with Lianne Erskine, vocalist of Julie’s Dead, after first discovering the band live at a Dammit Records showcase.

Lianne shares her own musical journey from owning a music venue and the path that eventually led her to fronting Julie’s Dead. They talk about creativity, finding your voice and what happens when you give yourself permission to take up space creatively — particularly at a point in life when society can sometimes suggest that women should be doing precisely the opposite.

That leads into a conversation about being an older woman in punk, and the strange expectations that still exist around how women are supposed to look, dress and present themselves.

Marie and Lianne also discover a shared appreciation for being permanently livid. From the genuinely important things worth getting angry about to the tiny, seemingly insignificant things that can inexplicably vex you, there is plenty of fuel available for creativity.

The conversation turns to Dammit Records and the importance of being part of a label that doesn’t discriminate or decide whether somebody belongs based on age, gender, appearance or whether they fit a particular image. The focus is where it should be: the music. Lianne talks about what a brilliant label Dammit is to be part of, the support they give their artists and just how much they do for the wider DIY punk scene, with their showcases around the country.

There’s also chat about Good Cop Bad Cop, Julie’s Dead (obviously), creativity, community and finding your own place in music without changing yourself to fit somebody else’s idea of what you should be.

An episode about creative journeys, getting older, getting angrier, finding your voice, making music and refusing to dress how anybody thinks you should.

Because perhaps being permanently livid isn’t such a bad thing after all.

In this episode of Punk Rock Creatives, Marie chats with Pete Bentham of Pete Bentham & The Dinner Ladies about Kitchencore, punk, second chances and the creative ideas behind the Dinner Ladies.

Despite being a fan, Marie discovers embarrassingly early in the conversation that the Dinner Ladies and the Dinnerettes are actually two different things. Every day's a school day.

Pete takes us back to how the band came about and the serious story behind its beginnings. After becoming very ill, Pete was given a second chance at life and made the decision to start their own band — eventually creating the band that became Pete Bentham & The Dinner Ladies.

We talk about some of Pete's musical influences, including his admiration for DEVO and the unmistakable Wilko Johnson, as well as the origins of Pete's distinctive buttoned-up stage look.

The conversation turns to family and the more personal side of Pete's songwriting as we talk about “Shed”, inspired by his dad and the importance of his shed as a place to escape, think and find a bit of peace.

We also get into the band's current album, Art, Religion and Chocolate Biscuits, and how the Dinner Ladies continue to mix humour, everyday life and more serious subjects with their own particular brand of Kitchencore.

Naturally, there's plenty of festival talk too. We chat about AWOD, Rebellion Festival, and discover a shared love of Rebellion's Literary Stage — one of those parts of the festival where the stories, ideas and history behind punk get as much attention as the music.

There's also some punk appreciation, including why X-Ray Spex deserve far more recognition, alongside the inevitable important questions that every serious punk podcast needs to address:

If the Dinner Ladies actually had to run a school kitchen, who would get the sack first?

And perhaps even more divisively...

Gravy or curry sauce?

A funny, thoughtful conversation about punk, creativity, influences, family, festivals, and what you do when life gives you another chance — with the creator of Kitchencore himself, Pete Bentham.

In this episode of Punk Rock Creatives, Marie sits down with musician, author and Rock Radio UK presenter Griff Griffiths — although somewhere along the way, neither of them is entirely sure whose show they're actually on, leading to some comical moments.

OGriff has lived enough lives to fill several podcasts. We get into the extraordinary story behind his book I Was the King of Spain and the mental health crisis that led to a stay at The Priory.

We talk openly about mental health, creativity and finding humour in some of life's darkest and strangest moments, before heading off in several wonderfully unexpected directions.

There's Rock Radio UK, Griff's journey into broadcasting and life behind the microphone; how Griff's Rick Astley story bears a surprising similarity to a Gypsy Pistoleros story from series one of the podcast; and a conversation about punk, including what was happening to the scene during the 1990s and how punk has continued to evolve.

Having recently interviewed Marie on his own radio show, Griff and Marie inevitably end up swapping roles — to the point where they temporarily lose track of who is interviewing whom.

Don't worry. They eventually reel it back in.

Mostly.

A funny, candid and occasionally chaotic conversation about punk, radio, mental health, music, survival and an extraordinary creative life.

In this episode of Punk Rock Creatives, Marie chats with writer Molly Tie about her brilliant book Rebel Grrrls: The Real Story of Women and Punk from the 1970s to Today and the women who have helped shape punk and alternative music.

We talk about the sexism, abuse and hatred women can face within alternative scenes, and how women in music are often judged very differently from their male counterparts. The conversation explores the treatment of women including Brody Dalle, Courtney Love and Nancy Spungen, the extreme hatred and even death threats directed towards women in the public eye, and how those narratives influence the way women are viewed and remembered.

Molly also talks about researching and writing Rebel Grrrls, why these stories matter, and the importance of recognising women's contribution to punk beyond the familiar versions of its history.

Plus, we put Molly through the Punk Rock Creatives quick-fire round, talk punk, women, music and creativity — and plenty more along the way.

An honest conversation about women, punk, misogyny, representation and who gets to control the narrative.

This week on Punk Rock Creatives, Marie sits down with guitarist, keyboardist, accordion-playing songwriter and all-round punk legend Roman Jugg for a fascinating journey through decades of music, creativity and DIY culture. From growing up in South Wales in an immigrant family to becoming one of punk's most respected musicians.

Roman reflects on his time with The Damned, sharing memories from one of punk's most influential bands, before reminiscing about appearing in the legendary The Young Ones episode "Nasty." He reveals how he wrote the song around the episode's title and script, and offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what Rik Mayall, Adrian Edmondson and Nigel Planer were really like away from the cameras during that iconic era.

The conversation spans Roman's impressive musical journey, from The Phantom Chords to the Roman Jugg Band, Dirty Waters and Victimised, exploring how each project allowed him to grow as both a musician and songwriter.

Away from the stage, Roman talks about his time presenting shows on Phoenix Radio and shares stories about friendships and collaborations, including memories of Franck from Corpus Delicti and Curl, alongside reflections on the ever-evolving punk scene.

Roman discusses being spat at on stage in the early days, talks about Hagar the Womb's infamous bottles of piss being thrown at them in the early 80's, and reflects on how audiences—and punk itself—have changed over the years.

The pair also venture beyond music, discussing the current state of the nation, life's wonderfully random hobbies and interests, and why creativity continues to matter in an increasingly challenging world.

This week on Punk Rock Creatives, Marie chats to the brilliant Gemima Gallier from Boom Boom Womb. From walking out of an admin job at lunchtime and never looking back, to finding her place in music and creativity, Gemima shares her journey with honesty, humour and plenty of punk rock spirit.

The conversation covers discovering exciting new bands such as Panic Shack, the importance of representation and community within the Riot Grrrl movement, and the influence of inspiring people in music including Kathleen Riot from Street Voice. Along the way, the pair discuss everything from pink wafer biscuits and unexpected life moments to singing on house music tracks.

Gemima also talks about the realities of recording music, playing live shows, songwriting, and the DIY ethos that continues to drive Boom Boom Womb forward. Also, celebrating doing things your own way and finding your voice in the process.

Expect tales from playing festivals, insights into the creative process, discussions about Riot Grrrl, and plenty more.

This week on Punk Rock Creatives, Marie chats with Jo-Jo O'Donoghue from Jo-Jo & The Teeth. The conversation covers how the band first came together, their approach to songwriting, recording and performing, and the hard work that goes into building a band on the UK festival/gigging circuit.

Jo-Jo reflects on her Irish roots, life in Tunbridge Wells, and how different it is from the hustle and bustle of London. The pair chat about playing festivals including the Isle of Wight Festival and Rebellion Festival, working with Kick Down The Doors PR, and the experience of becoming Andy Blade and Eater's backing band.

Away from the music, the conversation takes a few unexpected turns, including eye poo, rescuing dogs, and how Jo-Jo unexpectedly became a devoted dog person. There are also some great of stories from life on the road and on stage, including the reality that not every performance goes to plan—and yes, that includes falling over in front of a crowd.

Packed with laughs, honest stories and behind-the-scenes insight into life in a working band, this is a warm, entertaining and down-to-earth conversation with one of the UK's most charismatic and hardworking frontwomen.

In this episode of Punk Rock Creatives, Marie chats with singer, songwriter, activist and creative force Rita Lynch. With over five decades of writing, performing and living punk rock, Rita reflects on her journey through music, creativity and activism, sharing stories and insights gathered along the way.

The conversation explores the role of women in punk, the opportunities available to women in the scene today, and the importance of continuing to create space for diverse voices. Rita also discusses her involvement with Black Triangle Films, as well as her experiences as a SEND mum and her connection to the SEND community.

Alongside discussions about songwriting, performance and maintaining creativity over the years, Rita talks about using music to raise awareness and support causes close to her heart, including fundraising efforts for Gaza and other humanitarian campaigns.

This week, Marie talks to Trystan from Inferno Class Recording Studio — London’s newest and quirkiest recording studio. The episode was recorded at Trystan’s studio, where the conversation flowed with plenty of laughter and jokes, helped by the fact that Marie and Trystan were in Lost Cherrees together for nearly 10 years.

Beyond the banter, Trystan is a highly skilled musician and sound engineer who also plays guitar for Active Slaughter and Liberty. He recently recorded the latest album by Eastfield and is already building an impressive portfolio of bands and artists at Inferno Class Recording Studio.

An all-round lovely guy and a great guest.

You can book sessions here by messaging Trystan at: Trys O'Connell <[email protected]>