Music / Feature
Oh, The Guilt: The queer punk band on community, inspiration and intropsection
Elijah, Jules and Kit are Oh, The Guilt, self-described as “dream-punk,” the trio were playing in long term projects but joining together over their love of 90s music and a desire to begin something new.
Out of this, Oh, The Guilt was born.
“We had a gig booked at the Stag & Hounds but had no songs, no band name, no idea what our sound would be and only some awkward banter as a starting point,” Jules tells Bristol24/7.
is needed now More than ever
“From the moment we started playing I knew we’d made the right decision and who knew two strangers would become two of the big loves of my life.”
Based on the 1993 Nirvana track Oh the Guilt, the band grew up listening to an array of 90s bands, with a deep love for Nirvana, as well as Smashing Pumpkins, L7, Linkin Park and the types of bands performing on Kerrang! such as Radiohead, Korn, Rage Against The Machine.
Releasing their debut self-titled EP in 2018, the trio are inspired by the bands coming out of Seattle like L7 and Hole while more modern influences such as Cocteau Twins, Mazzy Star and Emma Ruth Rundle have also crept into their sound over the years.
However, rather than focusing on genre, the band like to write from the heart, from a place of introspection and vulnerability.
“Writing now really comes from self discovery and taking the time to sit and record what comes from the heart,” Elijah tells us.
The band’s releases have been few and far between with only a trickle of singles released in 2019, 2020 and 2021; their debut album, due to be released on March 29, has been a long time coming.
Deadnames and Deed Polls is a culmination of the work the band have put in over the past nine years, promising elements of the band’s signature sound, alongside a more open and honest side that has developed from their tracks of past.
Are they ready for the album to be released to the world?
“I’m so confident in what we’ve made that I’m just desperate for everyone to hear it,” Kit exclaims.
“Excited for it to connect with the people these songs are for. Our community, our friends, our chosen family and anyone who’s supported us this far.”
The trio’s long awaited debut album is due to be released on Friday. photo: Oh, The Guilt
Oh, The Guilt will be celebrating the release of their debut album at Rough Trade for a double album launch, alongside Dublin band HAVVK, presented by Punka.
The band promises tears, joy and lots of emotions at their event on Friday: “It’s going to be an emotional one and also full of joy,” Elijah explains.
“I love sharing the stage with kit and Jules and the line up couldn’t be more perfect. Punka does feel like home for us.”
“One of us will definitely cry. It’s usually me,” Kit says. “The power of community and hormones is quite a combination.”
Proudly trans and proudly queer, the band are appreciative of the queer scene in Bristol; in an industry that can be exclusionary and discriminatory, Oh, The Guilt are proud of the community they have found.
“We’ve been around some time and have always felt supported by the queer community,” Elijah tells us.
“Seeing the changes promoters and venues are making feels positive. We’re musicians and can only hope that our shows are respectful and safe spaces for everyone.”
Almost a decade later, the bands long-awaited album is due to be out in a matter of days, so are they looking towards their next project or will they be basking in this one for a while?
“I think we will definitely be basking in this one for a while because it’s taking so much time and energy from us. But, despite our busy lives, we never stand still and always keep on writing and performing,” Jules promises.
“We always support annual events like Bristol Pride and Trans Pride and other shows in and out of Bristol, so I’ll expect us to keep promoting this album and spreading queer joy!”
Oh, The Guilt will be performing at Rough Trade on Friday, tickets are on sale now at https://hdfst.uk/e99446
Pre-order Deadnames & Deed Polls at https://ohtheguilt.bandcamp.com/album/deadnames-deed-polls-2
Main photo: Oh, The Guilt
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