Claw Marks

Punk can be a bit of a dirty word these days. In fact, it’s not even dirty, it just sounds tacky rolling off the tongue. It’s in a state, we suggest to East London’s gnarliest Claw Marks, that has become somewhat problematic. “It’s received its own statehood now? The Camden Mohicans will be delighted,” jokes the band’s singer Jack, before guitarist James takes us more seriously. “It’s great there’s venues like Power Lunches, recording studios like Sound Savers and projects like DIY Space existing in London now, and I’m sure around the UK there is similar. It’s good to see bands like Eagulls and Fat White Family break through as well.”

Claw Marks, who share members with Human Hair and Boneyards and have recently signed to Sexbeat, summon a markedly raw clatter somewhere between the noisy discord of contemporaries like Iceage and the grumbling moan of Danzig-era Misfits. “It started off as an undefined mash of each others inputs and a desire to get weird” says James before Jack chips in: “I think we started in negative space. Thomas (guitar) and I were (and are) doing Human Hair and we didn’t want it to sound like that. James and Severin (drums) wanted it far from Boneyards’ surf punk. What sprang out was pretty much grounded between those two divining rods.”

The band have already toured with Fat White Family and shared stages with Dead Ghosts and Iceage and they’re glad to have not been lumped in with any particular scene so far. We’re just glad they’re making music that makes us feel proud to say we like punk and not feel like we’ve just stepped on someone’s baby.

Tune: Soul Food
File Next To: Pissed Jeans / Cheater Slicks
@CLORMARX