Unwavering queens of riot, VENUS GRRRLS, return with their first single this year, titled 'Lidocaine'. The Leeds-based band (fronted by Limerick powerhouse, Grace Kelly) are punching their way back into the music scene, as they return from hiatus, following their lead singer's recovery from Leukemia.

The alternative-rock quartet bring twinkling synth motifs to gritty guitar lines, presenting dark yet empowering discourse surrounding their own synergistic experiences. Sultry, raspy vocals drive the track, with addictive, multi-octave guitar riffs dragging you in deeper. Powerful drum beats suprisingly don't mask, but uplift the soft bass presence, bringing the entire track together in perfect harmony.

The group were born from Riot Grrrl, now made up of singer/rhythm guitarist Grace Kelly (GK), who fronts the band, joined by Hannah Barraclough (Bass), Grace Stubbings (Synth) and Gabby Cooke (Drums). The young band come of suprisingly mature and put together, however, they ooze with teen punk angst in the most perfect way.

Photography by Misha Warren

Speaking on 'Lidocaine', GK comments: "‘Lidocaine', a local anaesthetic, is used as a numbing agent during bone marrow biopsies to check for bone marrow diseases and cancers such as Leukaemia. Now in remission, I reflect on the lasting damage of cancer and begin to process the gritty and complex repercussions; including the small, seemingly insignificant factors that helped me along the way.

"‘Lidocaine’ is a metaphor for this, as not only was it used as an attempt to numb my pain during a gruelling procedure, but it symbolises all attempts of this in a mental and spiritual manner, too. Getting through the day is a win in itself, even if it meant I stayed in bed all day, that was the Lidocaine I needed to get me through it."

2022 saw VENUS GRRRLS undergo their radio breakthrough year, with their two releases 'Violet State of Mind' and 'Aries' receiving a huge amount of radio play on various BBC stations. The tracks also made Spotify's "All New Rock", "Fresh Finds: Rock" and "Hot New Bands" editorial playlists.

Earlier in 2023, the group re-released 'Sudocream Queen', re-mastered by Romesh Dodangoda - with the intention of the track creating a filler between GK finishing her treatment and being able to get into studio again.

The re-release was awarded Nels Hylton's Future Flavour (TOTW) on BBC Radio 1, was played by Gemma Bradley on the national BBC Introducing show on BBC Radio 1, John Kennedy on Radio X, and was featured on Spotify's "Fresh Finds: Rock" and "All New Rock", Apple Music's "New In Punk", and Amazon Music's "Breakthrough Rock" editorial playlists.

Check out the music video for 'Lidocaine', shot by Misha Warren, below.