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Reject the cis–tem

Trans = punk. It’s a matter of fact. Dublin is becoming an epicentre of the renewed trans punk scene in Ireland, and Al Fartukh met with four bands that fall under this umbrella. Photos by Al Fartukh and Meabh Bourke.

Feature Trans — Punk — Music

ALL GIRLS PISS (Left)

You know what we don’t hear much in punk? A saxophone. And that’s exactly what makes All Girls Piss stand out, alongside their fun beats and expressive stage outfits. The band is made up of Zoe Exclamation Mark on bass, Ember IHardlyKnowHer on guitar, Marcie Voyager on saxophone and Amber Excellent on drums, and each member plays a part in the soaring vocals you hear in their music.

Describe your band.

We call ourselves a post-transsexual punk project. We also come from an alternative future where people are chill with trans people.

Is there something ‘punk’ about being transgender?

Definitely. I think it’s inherently countercultural, whether that’s deserved or not. We may play a couple of different genres, but we always have a punk ethos going through our music and that punk ethos may just be transgenderism!

What advice do you have for other queer and/or trans musicians?

Just record music, even if it’s cringe, just record it. The most potent thing to learn is you can make shit music and people will still love it. You also have to make shit music to make good music.

BIG TEARS (Above)

Self-described as “bubblegum trannycore”, this punk trio is composed of Aoibhín on bass, Molly on drums and Judy on guitar and lead vocals. They have solidified their reputation as one of Dublin’s favourite trans girl bands, and they are an undeniable favourite at any gig around.

Describe your band.

Ramones on estrogen.

Is there something ‘punk’ about being transgender?

I guess it depends on how you go about it. Is Caitlyn Jenner punk?

What advice do you have for other queer and/or trans musicians?

Try to avoid the urge to make everything you do about being trans. People are gonna tokenise you every step of the way, you don’t have to help them do it.

Find Big Tears on Instagram at @bigtearspunk, and support their music through Bandcamp or Spotify.

All Girls Piss can be found on Spotify and Apple Music and at @allgirlspiss on Instagram.

TOUCH EXCELLENT (Top x2)

Three gay and trans friends who want to sing songs “about the issues, man”—that’s who Touch Excellent is. They have been a voice for the community for the last several years with chilling songs like ‘Overtone’ and ‘Houses’, and they still have much more to say.

Describe your band.

We started getting together as friends and writing songs, and found that it was cheaper to have a few cans in a rehearsal space than go to a pub. We sing about certain topics that aren’t discussed as much in punk today, such as Dublin’s housing crisis and trans healthcare.

Is there something ‘punk’ about being transgender?

Yeah, in a big way. When you look at the political and aesthetic origins of punk, it was always about existing outside of social conventions and frameworks, and it is kind of an essential fact of being transgender. They’re not gonna make a space for us, so we’re making our own.

What advice do you have for other queer and/or trans musicians?

The more you’re engaged in the scene, the more we can lift each other up and rise together. Stop sitting around and waiting, find other transgender people and start making music together, start putting it out there and don’t be afraid to reach out to people.

Touch Excellent are on Instagram at @touchexcellentband, and you can stream their latest release, ‘Sober Mind’, on Spotify and Apple Music.

UPTIGHT DAD (Bottom x2)

One of the newest trans punk bands and one of the coolest transmasc bands in Dublin. They are made up of Ló on guitar, Eli on bass, and Callistan on drums. Born out of a need to scream their feelings, they blow the roof off any venue they play.

Describe your band.

We’re pop punk, but we occasionally do garage and everything else related, and we’re so transsexual. Our music so far has been a lot about personal emotions; we’ve got a lot of emotions. Drake has nothing on us!

Is there something ‘punk’ about being transgender?

Yeah! Obviously there is, because punk is anything that isn’t traditional. It takes more effort to be mainstream when you’re trans than to not be. Punk is also about creating your own spaces and it’s the exact same with transgenderism, so yes, it’s punk to be trans!

What advice do you have for other queer and/or trans musicians?

Just start! Because if you don’t, you’re gonna be old and you would have never done any of this. We wish we started earlier, to be honest, but now we’re transitioning and making music, even if we don’t really know what we’re doing. Find your people and have fun!

Keep an eye out for new releases from Uptight Dad and follow their Instagram at @uptightdadband.

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