Gig Review: Dream Nails at The Bodega

Dream Nails, the self-proclaimed “punk witches”, descended upon The Bodega for a rip-roaring headline set. The London-based DIY punk rockers are known for their unapologetically feminist lyricism, placed against a backdrop of nineties-inspired punk-rock guitar melodies.

We are given insight into the future of DIY music with Currls’ latest release April Fools, which really highlights Holly’s vocal talent. Her sound is characterised by her satisfying vocal cracks, charged with sparkling emotion. However, what is perhaps most striking about this vibrant trio is their palpable onstage chemistry. I get the feeling that they play with the same ferocity, regardless of whether they’re performing to a crowd, or playing in their bedrooms. It is not hard to see why these Brighton-based musicians have caught the attention of BBC introducing’s Melita Dennett.

A support set from Currls was the ideal initiation into the world of DIY punk rock. The trio transported the audience away from the disco-ball-lit confines of The Bodega and into the grungy utopia of garage rock. Their rebellious, yet earthy, sound is reminiscent of teenage fantasies; a gritty soundtrack for the oddballs and outcasts. Lead vocalist Holly produces blissfully husky vocals with slightly bluesy undertones, which both contrasts and complements Currls’ snarling rock melodies. Their track Family Man is a stunning example of music as social commentary. With lyricism which is both unapologetically political and deliciously satirical, this band establishes themselves as being deeply humorous, wise, and talented beyond their young years. 

Dream Nails arrived onstage with the strength of a minor hurricane, crashing instantly into Good Guy. Through this track, the band instantly establish themselves as proud radicals, creating a space for rage without boundaries or judgment. Lead vocalist Ishmael Kirby dares the audience to succumb to every desire that arises tonight, whether that be jumping, dancing, roaring, or screaming. It’s safe to say that their audience complied.

Kirby brings out a cowbell for Geraniums, signalling a return to the bare-bones of music-making, continuing the thread of appreciation for authentic, DIY culture. The razor-sharp lyricism of this track explores the band’s origin stories as musicians and the feeling that there is limited space for - or representation of - women in punk rock. Geraniums is both cathartic and deeply urgent, paying tribute to the women who paved the way for Dream Nails on their journey of self-acceptance. This band have become the representation that they once yearned for. 

Kiss My Fist is an aesthetic and activist triumph, prefaced by bassist Mimi Jasson’s warcry: “We have a right to protest. We have a right to disobedience." Its lyricism exposes the rise in hate crimes against queer people, while the ever-shifting instrumentals embody both the euphoria and the trauma of the queer experience. The track begins with a much softer sound - an indication of the palatable image that society expects of queer people, before unleashing a rageful, guttural rebel yell. Kirby shrieks and scowls as they repeat “you fear us more than we fear you," a direct rejection of a heteronormative society. 

Despite the deeply urgent subject matter, these musicians undoubtedly have a lot of fun onstage, particularly during performances of Ballpit, Femme Boi as well as unreleased track Nail Me. During She’s Cutting My Hair, the band subvert expectations with pop-rock-inspired rhythms. However, it is their encore track Time Ain’t No Healer which highlights an entirely new dimension to their discography. Kirby and Jasson engage in delicate harmonies, which intertwine with the grainy sound of the synthesizer. The audience lay witness to a more vulnerable side, but on Dream Nails’ terms.

Dream Nails performed at The Bodega on 2 November 2023

@dreamnailsband