Voice On The Verge #73 • Pettybone

November 17, 2011 by Charlotte Richardson Andrews in Columns

As their blistering debut album From Desperate Times Comes Radical Minds [review] attests, transnational punk outfit Pettybone are definitely ones to watch. The London-based quartet, who formed in 2010 after meeting at a North London squat party, inject a decidedly political bent into their tight, ferocious juggernaut of hardcore punk and searing riot grrrl – an approach which has earned them praise from the likes of Rocksound, Kerrang! and Metal Hammer. We’re also told that they put on a pretty raucous live show, so raucous in fact that bassist Lianna Davies sometimes ends up bleeding. Ouch. We caught up with her for some uncensored chat on third-wave feminism, anti-capitalist ethics, Lydia Lunch and the sexual magnetism of her Geddy Lee Fender Jazz Bass.

What’s your middle name?

Lee.

What’s the worst job you’ve ever worked and what was so bad about it?

Because of my size one Christmas I worked as an elf. They didn’t like my punk rock attitude to Christmas, and I didn’t like children – it was a match made in hell. I would have been better working as Satan’s helper.

Are you a vegetarian or vegan?

I’m a veggie because I hate the meat industry, I hate the thought of an animal dying for me, and I hate the texture of meat.

Name your autobiography

The first part would be called From Harrow To Hollywood; the second part would be called Hollywood To Harringay. The H keeps on following me around.

Tell us about your favourite instrument

My Geddy Lee Fender Jazz Bass. It makes me wet. My nan died and I was left some money so I was able to invest to the sexiest instrument ever made.

What’s your earliest memory?

Sitting on a hamburger beanbag with a bottle in my mouth.

Do you have an instrument you’d still like to learn? What’s stopping you?

The saxophone. It’s sexy, and I want to learn ‘Baker Street’ on it. What’s stopping me? Money and the bass. It’s hard to have two lovers at once.

Who would be your dream collaboration?

PJ Harvey. She’s just one of the most interesting artists. She’s never followed any trends. All her albums are pretty different, and she never does what anyone expects from her.

Imagine you were making a concept album. Tell us about it.

We have already have a sort-of a concept album: From Desperate Times Comes Radical Minds. It’s not strictly a concept album, but it has themes – of dissatisfaction and inspiring a different lifestyle, where you can choose to live and be self-empowered by living without restrictions.

What music is exciting you in 2011?

Nothing really. PJ Harvey, mostly. Excite me, music!

What’s your favourite poem and how much of it can you recite from memory?

‘The Harpy’ by Robert W. Service. I can recite some of it but it’s very long – check it out.

If you were an answer in a crossword puzzle, what would be your clue?

I bleed, and not always from my vagina; sometimes from my hands, especially when I’m hitting four strings.

Name the last good book you read and tell us how it affected you

I’m halfway through Lydia Lunch’s Will Work For Drugs. It’s about her life. I love the way she writes and I can really relate to her points of view.

What are your views on feminism?

I got into feminism through music, specifically Bikini Kill, so I’m more into the in-your-face kind of stuff. Definitely the third wave, which came around in the early ’90s. But at the same time I hate to label shit and I like to make my own kind of feminism to fit all my own beliefs.

Are you a dog or a cat person?

I love dogs. Woof!

If we gave you an elephant, where would you hide it?

In my big vagina.

What makes you angry?

My period, fur, the meat industry, injustice, racism, sexism, any kind of bullshit hate and discrimination. I really fucking hate Marmite as well.

Describe your vision of the afterlife

Not as good as the life I am living.

Would you rather see a ghost or simply have a piece of toast and watch the evening news?

I would rather have a ghost and have a piece of toast and watch the evening news. Hopefully the ghost of toast; as long as he doesn’t put Marmite on it

What’s the biggest problem facing the world today? Do you have any thoughts on how to fix it?

The government, industries and hate. Point one: abolish poverty! Point two: abolish capitalism! Point three: Dexy’s Midnight Runners playing free, daily, in the university library!

What would you be if you weren’t a musician?

I would more than likely work in entertainment, doing theatre productions or SFX makeup.

What was the best thing before sliced bread?

Golden tofu. (It’s like a golden shower but with tofu.)

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