Ste McCabe

2012-02-25T05:17:00.003-08:00

Pussy Whipped makes Good Friday a Very Good Friday!

Join the facebook event page HERE

Join the Pussy Whipped facebook group HERE

Love, the Pussies xx

Stuff coming up

2012-01-28T05:59:00.000-08:00

Hi chucks,

Hope you had a great festive period. I bloody did!

Some great gigs are booked in between now and April, including Edinburgh, London and Brighton. Have a gander on my events page here and come and have a dance.

We have booked the second Pussy Whipped Edinburgh night which has such an amazing and diverse line up that I have fun just looking at the flyer! If you're about in Edinburgh, we have Seafield Foxes, Noisy Pig and Help Stamp Out Loneliness playing - good eh? Have a gander on the Pussy Whipped page (link to the left).

I've started my radio show on Dandelion Radio again. I've been stupidly busy since I moved north of the border last June and have had a really long break since. My show of queer and female music heaven is starting again in February, hooray! Visit Dandelion Radio to listen online - the show is monthly and is repeated every day of the month at a different time. Have a gander at the schedule to see what time my show is playing.

Hope you are all well. You're dead nice you are. You are y'know!

Ste x

Pussy Whipped - Feb 10th!

2012-01-23T10:00:00.000-08:00

Pussy Whipped returns for the second instalment of pro-queer and pro-female ass-kicking-live-music-wonder at Wee Red Bar in Edinburgh!

Pussy Whipped presents...
Noisy Pig, Help Stamp Out Loneliness and Seafield Foxes
8pm sharp – 10.30pm.
£2 entry

Noisy Pig (Berlin)
Noisy Pig is a one-man, electro-performance, wierd-pop, bizarre and wonderful queer act who has been taking his jaw-dropping show all across the world over the last few years. This is his debut Edinburgh gig and you should all be very excited - we are!
Noisy Pig "Queen of Hearts" Video - http://vimeo.com/20735666

Help Stamp Out Loneliness (Manchester)
This 6-piece, female-lead Manchester band have been wowing audiences since their debut album was released on WIAIWYA Records last year. Fans of The Smiths, Stereolab and Echobelly will be wetting their pants when this amazing band bring their beautiful, intelligent and witty indiepop to Pussy Whipped. A rare thing - indie music that borders on genius.
HSOL on Bandcamp - http://helpstampoutloneliness.bandcamp.com/

Seafield Foxes (Edinburgh)
All-female punk rockers Seafield Foxes are one of the most mind-blowing, intense and brilliantly thrashy bands in Edinburgh. They are huge supporters of female bands in Edinburgh with their own "Rock Chick" nights and we are very excited about them performing for Pussy Whipped. Come oooon!
Seafield Foxes on myspace - http://www.myspace.com/seafieldfoxes

Amazing queer disco club HOT MESS follows Pussy Whipped. Entry to Pussy Whipped is FREE for Hot Mess disco dollys - just pay for Hot Mess when you come.

To never miss our exciting gigs and free workshops coming up in 2012, join the mailing list - email p.whipped.edinburgh@gmail.com
or join our facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/267565329929858/

Funded by Awards For All Scotland.
Wee Red Bar has full wheelchair access throughout the venue.

See you there!

The Pussies xx

Pussy Whipped Edinburgh is a brand spanking new music venture, supported by Awards for All Scotland, based in (of course!) Edinburgh. I organise Pussy Whipped with my partner Lukasz with help from other lovely people including the Ladyfest Manchester collective.

Our aims are to support female, queer and LGBT musicians. We will showcase amazing, energetic, kick-ass band nights where women and queers dominate the stage. We want to create an inspiring and energetic atmospher...e which showcases punk, electro, indiepop and alternative bands/musicians whilst having a safe, non-judgemental community-based vibe.

Put simply, we want to carry on the great DIY tradition of challenging the assumption that alternative music is a privelege reserved for one kind of straight man, and help this culture spread further in the wonderful City of Edinburgh!

We will also hold workshops over 2012 which will be free to attend, to help queers and women gain skills in DIY music. Whether it's starting a record label, putting on a festival or hosting your own radio show, we'll help give you the know how and confidence to go and do it!

It is our belief that openly queer artists and women are amongst the most talented, challenging and amazing musicians on the underground. It is also our belief that we are still sidelined on the music scene to a fairly hefty degree. We exist to fiercely challenge that - and we'll have a fab time doing it!

2012-01-23T09:47:00.000-08:00

Pussy Whipped is a queer/feminist band/musician night which started in Manchester in 2009, and is now based in Edinburgh. I organise these events with help from lots of lovely people. Here's a summary :

Pussy Whipped Edinburgh is a brand spanking new music venture, supported by Awards for All Scotland, based in (of course!) Edinburgh.

Our aims are to support female, queer and LGBT musicians. We will showcase amazing, energetic, kick-ass band nights where women and queers dominate the stage. We want to create an inspiring and energetic atmospher...e which showcases punk, electro, indiepop and alternative bands/musicians whilst having a safe, non-judgemental community-based vibe.

Put simply, we want to carry on the great DIY tradition of challenging the assumption that alternative music is a privelege reserved for one kind of straight man, and help this culture spread further in the wonderful City of Edinburgh!

We will also hold workshops which will be free to attend, to help queers and women gain skills in DIY music. Whether it's starting a record label, putting on a festival or hosting your own radio show, we'll help give you the know how and confidence to go and do it!

It is our belief that openly queer artists and women are amongst the most talented, challenging and amazing musicians on the underground. It is also our belief that we are still sidelined on the music scene to a fairly hefty degree. We exist to fiercely challenge that - and we'll have a fab time doing it!

Join our mailing list - email p.whipped.edinburgh@gmail.com
Join the Pussy Whipped Edinburgh group on Facebook

Free Remix EP and other stuff

2011-12-18T07:10:00.000-08:00

Hello and Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it, from me and the three donkeys to the left.

I have put together a Bandcamp page with all of my releases on it. Probably the most important things to plug are my brand new free download EP "Bubblegum Laser Gun" which features fun remixes by Cassette Donkey and Tingle in The Netherlands!
My debut EP, Pink Bomb, which sold out in 2008 is also available here for the nice people who've asked me about it over the last few years (this is the only place it's available).

To download the free remix EP or any of my other releases, visit - http://stemccabe.bandcamp.com/

There's also still a few copies of my limited edition split download single with Stella Zine available (the link is in Bandcamp).
Here's the video which we had alot of fun making with my lovely Lukasz and our Edinburgh friends :

If you do buy my music, it would be amazing if you consider buying it either from Bandcamp or from the Cherryade Records website rather than itunes, amazon etc, because we very rarely see any money from any of these robbing gits and we are poorer than they are!

Just to saturate you with music information my song "Christmas Time for Sanctimonious Swine" has been re-released on the new Cherryade Christmas album also - the song is in my music player with a link to buy this amazing festive album of alternative Christmas treats!

I've had such a great year! Played some amazing shows (Edinburgh and Manchester I'm looking at YOU!) as well as some laughably dreadful ones (London and Birmingham I'm looking at YOU!), as well as doing some amazing LGBT day work, moving to Edinburgh which is beautiful, and tickling my cats bellies all the while.

Here's to a fab 2012, love to you all!

Ste x

2011-10-31T09:58:00.000-07:00

Hello my dearest peeps!

My split single with the amazing USA revolutionary Stella Zine is out NOW! This is a very limited download restricted to 100 downloads, and then it's gone. My song, "Accessorise" was recorded in Leeds 6 months back, and the thoroughly obsurd video has been made - check it out below!

To buy the single (which comes with a specially designed A3 poster made by the beautiful Lukasz Waclawski, and is accompanied by Stella fab track "Sex Workers Union") click on the Bubblegum Records website HERE

Now for the video. Come Dine With Ste....this is how to do it, okay?

Check my events page for all the fab gigs coming up all over the place, hope to see you somewhere!

Ste xx

2011-10-05T03:17:00.000-07:00

Hello chucks,

I have lots of great gigs coming up before the end of the year in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Belfast, London, Southend and a date or two in Germany too, so please head over to the events page for more info and I hope to see you somewhere!

My download single with Stella Zine finally has a release date - November 1st. Sorry for being slack, it's taken a while to get off the ground. The video is being home-made this month in Edinburgh and will be a parody on one of TV's most frustratingly middle-class shows. I will spam you endlessly when the video and song is ready, beware!

Lots of love xx

Gigs and single coming up

2011-08-30T01:37:00.000-07:00

Hello dears,

Massive thanks to everyone who came to see my tour with Maria and the Gay! I am still recovering but it was tremendous fun. Also cheers to Sue and Nat for having me at Limetree Festival for a second year - the Bet Lynch stage was as camp and wonderful as it always is.

My next gigs are as follow :

Manchester on 9th September, London on 30th Seotember, and Nottingham on 1st October. All details are on my "events" page with details of other gigs coming up later in the year also. Be there!

My new single "Accessorise" has taken a while to get off the ground, but it will be out within the next few months on Bubblegum Records as a limited edition split download with the fabulous USA-based riot grrrl Stella Zine. You can hear the song in my player now.

For cheaper entry to the Camden gig in London, please print the flyer below...sorry it's so bloody enormous - blogger and photobucket don't seem to like each other.

Hugs!

Ste x

Some interviews and gig stuff

2011-06-27T11:31:00.000-07:00

Hello me chucks,

I have done two of the most fun interviews ever which are avaiable now. The first one is for One Way Ticket To Cubesville zine, which for those who don't know is a (very) long running punk zine from the north west. I can't recommend this excellent zine enough and it's a mere fifty friggin pence! All the info to order it is HERE on the Cubesville website. I talk about throwing the Pope off a cliff and my dreadful days working as a charity mugger in it.

The 2nd interview is from Kitty Licks, who I donated a track for on their most recent compilation. In this interview I chat about Morrissey, the first ever shameful album I bought, my super hero alter-ego (SuperPig!) and there's one of my tracks up there which Amrick has beautifully merged with a trashy Madonna film from the 80's (there is a reason)! It's online HERE duckies.

These are two of the most fun interviews I have ever done, so a massive thank you to Amrick at Kitty Licks and Richard from Cubesville for getting in touch.

Gig news! The facebook page for my August mini queer-fest at London's Hot August Fringe is HERE, and for those residing far north, I am playing a free afternoon gig in my beautiful new home city of Edinburgh with the amazing Zorras on July 16th at a very lovely book shop called Elvis Shakespeare. Join the facebook page for that one HERE!

Lotsa love! xx

5 Years

2011-06-08T02:33:00.000-07:00

As you (hopefully!) know by now, I have been DJing and playing alot of underground queer and feminist music for the amazing Dandelion Radio over the last few years. The station has officially turned 5 years old this month, and as a celebration we have put together an enormous, free, double album, available for download until the end of July before disappearing forever...

It features an unreleased re-make of my song "Public Debate" which was given the electro-pop treatment by Owen J from Tingle In The Netherlands. I won't be releasing it anywhere else, so if you want it, along with the vast and varied mix of underground treats, go to the Dandelion website here and grab it while you can!

Lots of love from my new home in Scotland!
Ste x

2011-05-01T23:28:00.000-07:00

My name is Ste McCabe. I am a one-man band.

I use a distorted guitar, drum machines and a synth to make noises with. I am a politicised queer, feminist, working class bastard and I like to make people dance with my rantings.

I have been playing live since summer 2006 and I have performed everywhere from the Royal Festival Hall to queer squat parties. I mostly play in the UK (where I am based), but I can often be found further across Europe also. Playing live is what matters to me so I do it as much as I can.

I have a new limited edition download single out on Bubblegum Records

I have 2 albums and an EP out on Cherryade Records.

I host a radio show on Dandelion Radio - the internet station inspired by John Peel. I play lots of queer and female music.

I put on band nights in Edinburgh called Pussy Whipped, which support queer and female alternative artists. The project is funded by Awards For All Scotland and I have alot of help from the Ladyfest Manchester collective.

I have a zine called Queers Make Music, which features interviews with countless amazing underground queer musicians amongst other stuff which will delight you or possibly make you hate me. All copies have sold out, but you can download and print it here at the Queer Zine Archive Project. A reference copy is available to photocopy at the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh.

Here’s some things people have said about me:

“ Ste McCabe is a queer-feminist-punk-poet for the people" - Time Out London

"Ste McCabe is a national treasure" - Organ

“Manchester’s queen of queer punk” - Manchester Evening News

“ “Murder Music“, McCabe’s diatribe against injustice and parochialism, is the most barbed political song in years, and the best punk rock statement since those pigeons shat copiously on Kings of Leon” - Artrocker Magazine

“Ste McCabe’s reactionary, politically under-cooked and rhetorically over-blown songs are verging on the insane” - Tasty

“If you like punk, you’ll love Ste. If you’re queer and like punk, you’ll spunk your pants. Ste is authentic and brilliant” - Boy George

“Sensational isn’t it that you’re gay? Wow. Get over yourself” - Natalie Shaw, Noize Makes Enemies

“Ste is armed with a mean, lean, bedroom Disco drum machine, a cheap guitar and his biggest asset; a mind and a loud mouth to speak it.” - Gay Times

2011-05-01T22:28:00.000-07:00

Hello duckies,

Some news for you....

Firstly I have made a zine called Queers Make Music. All details about how you can get it are on facebook Here .

Me and Emma from Ten Tigers are putting together a compilation to be released on Cherryade Records in September. It is to raise awareness about the increase in homophobic/transphobic violence in the UK. Please join the facebook page Here, and help us spread the word in any way you can. It will have amazing music and sleevenotes by Peter Tatchell.

In April I will be recording a new single to be released on Glasgow's Bubblegum Records as a very limited edition download single. The song is called "Accessorise" and it encourages you to buy an iphone, and have a baby. No shit. It will be released in the summer as a split single with Atlanta feminist heroine Stella Zine. Look out for a new video soon! In the meantime, the lovely Cherryade Records are doing a handsome deal on all of my releases - you can buy "Hate Mail" and "Murder Music" albums plus my "Harrowing Breakdown" EP from the website for £15 here.

Love and stuff,

Ste xx

2011

2010-12-30T10:22:00.000-08:00

Hello duckies!

My new EP "Harrowing Breakdown" is out now. 5 new tracks of cynical bedroom queer peasant pop can be bought directly from Cherryade Records HERE!
Tracks from the EP are now in my music player to the left of the page ("Harrowing Breakdown", "Ste McCabe - 1, Lloyds TSB - Nil" and "Thats Not Very Funny"). Below is the cover featuring our delightful cover star, Fox the cat.

Hope to see you soon chucks.

Ste xx

Harrowing Breakdown EP

2010-11-08T15:29:00.000-08:00

Hello duckies,

My brand spanking new EP "Harrowing Breakdown" is out now! 5 new tracks of cynical bedroom pop with tracks about breakdowns, going bankrupt and homophobic comedians amongst a queered up cover of a Mama Cass song and a new and creepy version of "Murder Music" can be bought directly from Cherryade Records HERE!
Tracks from the EP are now in my music player to the left of the page ("Harrowing Breakdown", "Ste McCabe - 1, Lloyds TSB - Nil" and "Thats Not Very Funny"). Below is the cover featuring our delightful cover star, Fox the cat.

Thanks so much to everyone who came out to see mine and Stella Zine's UK tour too - we had an amazing time and played to such lovely people! You're fookin amazing!

For those in Manchester, my next queer/feminist band night is in December - woop!

Love Ste xx

Lots of exciting stuff....

2010-10-25T01:58:00.000-07:00

Hello!

I have lots of exciting things kicking off starting NOW! This Friday in Manchester is the launch night for my brand new EP “Harrowing Breakdown”, which features 5 new songs and is released on Cherryade Records next week. You can hear three new songs from the EP on my player and can order the EP now directly from Cherryade HERE! It's somewhat of a more lighthearted and pop affair than last years Murder Music album, with songs about harrowing breakdowns, being legally bankrupt, Joan River's saggy neck and a Mama Cass cover which may make the poor lady turn in her grave. A very creepy Murder Music remix is also there courtesy of Tingle in the Netherlands. Woop! This is what the CD looks like -

The Manchester launch night, Pussy Whipped, will be a Halloween extravaganza of a night. I will perform and advance copies of the EP can be bought. Please join the Facebook group HERE! The night also features the first ever live set from the very special Tingle in the Netherlands, a film showing of the fab new Will and Rick video, horror theme projections and spooky shit, as well as a headline set from Stella Zine.....which brings me on to the next exciting news.....

I am embarking on my first ever UK tour starting with Pussy Whipped on Friday. The tour will be with Atlanta riot grrrl Stella Zine. I became internet friends with Stella a while back when we became mutual admirers of each others music. I'm in awe of the brilliant work she has done with blending raw punk rock music, folk, spoken word and beats with feminism, queer rights, sex workers rights, and generally being somewhat of the bible belt's very own Kathleen Hanna and an under-acknowledged pioneer of riot grrrl. Let's go!

Thanks to Lukas for making the beautiful and tacky poster below, and for the hilarious twisting of Marx with the quote!

Please note the Bristol gig has been cancelled due to venue problems. We are working on a super-small and DIY gig in Edinburgh this Saturday 30th to replace it which is yet to be confirmed, may not happen, but we hope it can! We have some lovely Scottish folk doing their best for us!

Shortly after the tour I will also be playing in Liverpool with two more dates in London – all details on my gig page, where you can also find more details regarding each show.

I can be caught on the radio this week starting TONIGHT when I will be appearing on LGBT Citizen on BBC Manchester at 9pm, to talk about this Fridays' Halloween Pussy Whipped - Tune in at 95.1FM or online HERE.
I will also be appearing twice this week on All FM Manchester. On Thursday morning I will be appearing on Fiona's diverse “Anything Goes” breakfast show at 9am, and then later that day at 11pm me and Stella (who will have arrived from USA that morning and will probably be jet lagged!) will be on the anarchist Under The Pavement show playing live and chatting. ALL FM can be picked up on ALL FM 96.9 across south, central and east Manchester or online at www.allfm.org/. I'm going to try to do an acoustic set. “Try” being the operative word.

Those in Manchester keep an eye on the Manchester Evening News this Friday for a club profile of Pussy Whipped, and any peeps down in Essex keep an eye out for this weeks Essex Enquirer also where our Cookie Party show with one of my favourite UK bands Death of the Elephant will be featured. There should be plenty of other nice press stuff happening later in the next few weeks regarding the tour hopefully, so I will shout out if and when it appears.

Love to you all!

Ste x

2010-08-10T03:37:00.000-07:00

October will be a queer punk extravaganza month for Manchester - firstly I will be performing with The Restarts and Will N Rick at the Retro Bar for a Trash-O-Rama special queer night...

...then at the end of October I will be kicking off my UK tour at Pussy Whipped on Canal Street with the amazing Stella Zine who is coming over from Atlanta to tour with me, also performing will be the first ever live show from Tingle in the Nertherlands!

Check the live page for the full UK dates, and if you happen to be in Poland remember I am playing at the Wagon Club in Wroclaw on Friday 22nd October!

Love and stuff xxx

Queer Riot

2010-07-12T03:13:00.000-07:00

I have just done an interview for Artrocker Magazine which you can read HERE, in anticipation of my Hot August Fringe event Queer Riot..

And don't forget to join the group Queer Riot - the page is HERE!

Germany dancing at the end of July....

Thanks dears xxx

July stuff

2010-06-25T06:39:00.001-07:00

I had a great time in Edinburgh with so many lovely people. Both Gappad (Scotlands first ever Polish theatre company) and Cachin Chachan Cachhuna gigs were ace and I THINK I just about managed to pull off the acoustic set for Cachin Cachan Cachunga - thanks to Gappad and the amazing Zorras for having me at their ace events, and also to Robert Motyka who very kindly did some very impressive visuals for me at the Gappad event - have a gander below at my new song which gives a mention to Joan Rivers neck...

July goes like this - Manchester (8th) with The Younger Lovers, London (22nd) with Rae Spoon, Munich (29th) with Elcassette for their album launch, then Berlin for Poopsy Club (30th), woop! See the events page for full details..

Lotsa love xx

Poland Rocks

2010-05-05T14:45:00.000-07:00

Noc Walpurgii in Warsaw was amazing. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I spent time in Warsaw and also in the North of Poland and loved it. I will be back later in the year to the South of Poland for one or two gigs but for now just to say a big thank you to Jenni, Robert and everyone else who made it possible for me to seriously slag the pope off in a very catholic country and get a big round of applause for it!

More Polish news - pre-order this fantastic queer compilation CD from Sister to Sister Records (based in Wroclaw) now, featuring myself, Pansy Division, Jean Genet, Mass Kotki, Tribe 8 and other queer and feminist heroes from all over the world.

I'm all over the place this year so look at the gig page and see you soon chucks x

2010-04-22T09:22:00.000-07:00

Remember dears, the Queer Control Records USA compilation featuring my track "Murder Music" and inspiring queer artists from all over the world can be downloaded completely FREE here and it's bloody brilliant!

Warsaw's festival against homophobia and sexism - Noc Walpurgii - is nearly upon us and I am so excited about playing in Poland, but mainly to be playing for such a principled and amazing festival. All details of the festival can be found here.

Speaking of Poland - Pre-order this fantastic queer compilation CD from Sister to Sister Records now, featuring myself, Pansy Division, Jean Genet, Mass Kotki, Tribe 8 and other queer and feminist heroes from all over the world.

Other gigs/festivals coming up in 2010 are in Edinburgh, Berlin, London, Bristol, Wroclaw, Liverpool, Yorkshire and of course lots of Manchester fun as usual. Look at the events page, I'm a busy buggar at the mo' and plan to be alot busier as the year goes on...

Love Ste xx

Too Poor To Be Ste

2010-03-31T10:57:00.000-07:00

I am featured on US label Queer Control Records new compilation - which is a totally free download and is amazing! This musically varied album won't be off your ipod for months - download it free at http://www.queercontrol.com/

Manchester and Salford folks - two good reasons to come and see me play in April -

The "Hazel Must Go!" campaign are having a radical cabaret at Old Pint Pot in Salford on 14th to launch the final weeks of campaigning to hopefully send the greedy shameless Hazel Blears out of Salford and the genuine, principled queer activist David Henry in her place. Join the facebook group here and check the line up. I hear a certain Peter Tatchell will be there as well as some very special performers...

On the Monday after (19th April), I will be performing a small intimate gig at Fuel in Withington, featuring my very own tribute act - Too Poor To Be Ste. This will be hilarious, miss it at your peril!

Also, I am now on Twitter - username is SteMcCabeMusic, follow if you dare...

Full details of the Noc Walpurgii Festival in Warsaw which I will be performing at on 30th April are here

Wotever

2010-03-11T14:46:00.000-08:00

Bar Wotever is amazing! I played a small intimate gig for them last year but it was so good to play for them last week at their new home of Royal Vauxhall Tavern - as amazing as every other night I have been a part of at the RVT with their own unique, friendly, all-inclusive vibe.

Next up - two special gigs in Salford and Manchester (check my events page) and Noc Walpurgii in Warsaw - queer feminist political music festival on 30th April. It's gonna be very, very special.

2010-02-28T06:13:00.000-08:00

Hello my dears!

Thanks to all the crazy dancers in Edinburgh and for making my wishes come true (I finally got mens underpants thrown at me onstage!)

9th March is Wotever Club at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern in London. Amazing night, amazing venue, and totally free.

In other exciting news I will be in Warsaw on 30th April for the very special Noc Walpurgii queer-feminist political music festival. I'm really flattered to have been asked to play this, and am really excited about my Polish debut.
More exciting shows in far off places are waiting to be confirmed, so watch this space.

In other news, a very dark and creepy electro remix of Murder Music has just been completed by the wonderful Owen J of Tingle in the Netherlands. I will get this out to you very soon either on this player or myspace - again, watch this space!

Lotsa love xx

News

2010-02-03T01:25:00.000-08:00

Hello chucks. The next booked party times are in the capitals. I'm in Edinburgh for Queer Mutiny at Big Red Door on February 19th, and will also be playing for Club Wotever at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern in London on 9th March, which is totally free and a really excellent queer night. Check the events page for more deails.

Also, for those who want to party punk/electro/grrrl style in Manchester whilst taking over Canal Street and injecting some real queer music culture into a stale, pretentious gay scene, come to my club night Pussy Whipped on March 6th at Taurus. 4 amazing bands and punk rock dancing til late. Lets show the fookers!

Love Ste x

News

2010-01-25T14:00:00.000-08:00

Hello!

2010-01-25T04:49:00.000-08:00

Hello chucks,

I have finally stopped dragging my feet and here, after nearly four years, is my website. I didn't want to be relying on myspace and facebook solely to get information out there, although will still be using them. Massive thanks to the delightful Trent (queer hero of Leeds) for being so kind as to design it all totally free for me in times of financial struggles - Trent, I love you! She did an excellent job, ja?

Hope you like it xx

QQT - cancelled

2010-01-25T04:48:00.000-08:00

Facebookers already know all this, and will be aware of all that's been happening with regards to transphobic journalist Julie Bindel appearing on Queer Question Time this week.

I decided yesterday to pull out of appearing at QQT to show solidarity with the trans community over the mounting anger at Julie Bindels appearence. Many felt it was not a safe queer space inviting someone so opposed to their right to transition to the panel, and having spent the best of part of yesterday really looking into both Julie Bindels journalism and putting myself in trans shoes (which aren't all killer heels for the ladies and biker boots for the boys, I believe. Although I think it's lovely even when they are!) I just can't justify walking past a queer protest to perform.

Apologies to the Royal Vauxhall Tavern. For what it's worth, I know for fact that the RVT's intentions go no further than wanting to expose and challenge negative views on all kinds of queers through debate. But all things considered, I understand wholly the position of the queer people. Some things are not open to debate, and shouldn't be in a safe queer space. Had you have asked me two days ago I would have felt differently, but as a gay man I wouldn't want a homophobic person who claimed I could be changed through psychiatry on the panel, I'd feel like "fuck off out of my space!", so on much reflection that's the stance I've taken. Not because I was "bullied" into it as some have suggested (please credit me with more guts than that, thanks!), but because I read some very recent material of Julie Bindels, and that was enough.

Thanks to the kind messages I've had from lovely people about it.

Love to y'all!

Ste xx

2010-01-25T04:43:00.000-08:00

Music

2010-01-23T16:20:00.001-08:00

set1 by ste-mccabe

Contact

2010-01-23T15:34:00.000-08:00

For info regarding all music related stuff - bookings, compliments, abuse, questions, whatever, contact ste.mccabe.music@gmail.com.

For information about my radio show, or for bands wanting to be played etc, contact ste@dandelionradio.com. All information on my radio show can be found on the microphone link at the top of the page.

2010-01-23T14:25:00.000-08:00

Videos

2010-01-23T14:21:00.000-08:00

Video for "Accessorise", released as a very limited edition download split single with Stella Zine on 01/11/11. Made by the wonderful Lukasz Waclawski with help from our lovely and bonkers friends Asia, Marysia, Gregor, Lusi and Lysimachos.
To buy the single click HERE

Video for "I've Got a Big Car" from "Murder Music". Made lovingly by the amazing Will and Rick. ....

Video for "Militant Disco" from "Murder Music", featuring David Hoyle and again made by the tremendous Will and Rick...

Excellent fan video for "Public Debate", made by the ace Marc

"Huyton Scum", live video from Roxy Art House, Edinburgh...

Short Documentary featuring yours truly, from the Homotopia queer arts festival, Liverpool, 2007...

Forthcoming gigs and other events

2010-01-23T14:00:00.001-08:00

Friday 17th February
Limbo @ Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh
Limbo do the most legendary band nights in Edinburgh! I play with Clean George IV and Bleech.
Limbo Website

Wednesday 29th February

TUC Congress House, Great Russel Street, WC1

An event for LGBT History month, organised by TUC LGBT Network. The event celebrates the history of grassroots queer activism, and it will be bloody ace. I play at 7pm, but there's workshops and discussions in the daytime.
Facebook Event

Friday 23rd March
House of Crust @ Bannermans, Edinburgh
House of Crust host the best punk gigs in Edinburgh. I'm playing this one with Punk Poet Andy T.
House of Crust on Facebook

Saturday 24th March
Riots Not Diets @ West Hill Hall, Brighton
Fantastic riot grrrl night night of culture, film and dancing. This night features a screening of Tank Girl and I may well be dragging up as my favourite comic lady for the night.
Facebook Event

Friday 6th April
Pussy Whipped @ Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh
Pussy Whipped is a queer-feminist punk/pop/alternative/electro night based in Edinburgh, organised by myself and my lovely Lukasz. This is the third installment and I play first, followed by Glasgow riot grrrl pop geniuses Scragfight and the tremendous bratty electro-punk-pop of Rauberhohle who is coming all the way from Berlin!
Facebook Event

Sunday April 8th
The Sunday Forum on Gaydio radio
I'll be a guest on Andrew Edwards Manchester radio show, picking my desert Island discs and chatting all things queer and musical. Tune in at 7pm.
Gaydio - Listen Here

Sunday April 8th
The End is Night @ Platt Chapel, Manchester
The Queer Riot collective are organising a filthy queer fetish event for Easter Sunday. My new favourite band Rauberhohle will be playing as well as me, and lots of other treats :0)
Facebook Event

Saturday 5th May
Riot Grrill @ The Chemic Tavern, Leeds
Aces female-focussed open mic night followed by two headline slots from myself and FAGGOT.
Oh and brilliant food - there's always brilliant food, hence the "grrill"! It's not a typo, you silly one.
Riot Grrill Website

Friday 11th May
"The Sound Project Presents..." @ Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh
Brilliant Edinburgh-based music site The Sound Project (who are incredibly supportive of all things McCabe) are holding their first live event at the equally brilliant Wee Red Bar. I'll be performing and also doing a DJ set afterwards - so expect some Fuzzbox, Bikini Kill and Shampoo!!
The Sound Project Website
Facebook Event

Features and Reviews

2010-01-05T06:28:00.000-08:00

Single of the week in The Sound Project for my "Accessorise" split single with the amazing Stella Zine HERE. November 2011.

A terrible and condescending review by Soundblab for my "Accessorise" download single HERE.
Bad reviews are fun though, so head over and read it. November 2011

Radio interview and live session for Suck My Left One radio show, Glasgow (October 2011) can be streamed HERE

A nice live review by Ravechild from my gig with The Hardy Boys in Glasgow is HERE, from October 2011.

Interview for GFEST Queer Arts Festival as a preview for my performance in November 2011 HERE

A fun interview for Kitty Licks can be found HERE, from June 2011.

A VERY fun interview I did for One Way Ticket To Cubesville (long-standing punk zine from the North of England) can be ordered HERE. I'm not scanning this one for you to read, coz it's only 50p and you should all buy zines! But it's my favourite interview I've done in years, so there.

Live review from The Girls Are blog HERE

Glowing reviews for my 2010 EP "Harrowing Breakdown" from Artrocker, Soundblab and Soundcheck Magazine are HERE.

Live Review by The F Word feminist magazine HERE

Below - Two features from Artrocker, September 2010 - a full review of my night Queer Riot which was part of Hot August Fringe 2010, and an open letter to the Pope. I'm not sure if Ratzinger has Artrocker delivered to the Vatican, but it was worth a try...

From QX Magazine, July 2010....

Interview for Artrocker online, July 2010...

The Gospel of Ste McCabe
Artrocker.TV talks to the 'queer punk' and outspoken gay and lesbian activist that is Ste McCabe...
Filed in Ste McCabe, Interviews, at 11.10am on 12 July 10
Please state your name, profession and any subversive activities you wish to declare.
I am Ste McCabe, professional man of the queer dancefloor. Subversive activites are a-plenty and include the promotion of queer and female musicians on my radio show on Dandelion Radio, my Pussy Whipped club nights in Manchester, and most of all the angry noise which comes from my mouth, guitar and drum machines (collectively called songs).
The mainstream gay scene is percieved as a pop fanbase. Is that a dangerous stereotype?
No, it's absolutley true, which is why I have nothing to do with it. The mainstream gay scene promotes the same safe, generic dance trash and encourages people to think about nothing but their hair-do's. Let it rot I say.
In the artwork for your last album, you notoriously juxtaposed a photo of the Pope with Nazi imagery - what was the idea behind this, and did it land you in trouble?
My aim was to point out his hatred towards LGBT people and the violence and murder in many countries it encourages. Probably if he got a willy up his bottom, he would come out of the closet and stop being so bitter. I'm not volunteering though! Some people said I was unfair for comparing religious states to Nazism, particularly some Islamic ones, but targeting LGBT's for torture and murder leaves it hard for me to find pleasant comparisons I'm afraid.
You're about to put on a night called Queer Riot, as part of the Hot August Fringe Festival in London. What's the idea behind it?
There's alot of queer art being brought together as a part of the Fringe Festival. I often find at these arts festivals that the thriving underground queer-feminist music scene is either unknown or unwanted. That's where this event comes in really, to remind people that music is art too, and one of the most most powerful forms.
You've got one band playing, Maria & The Gay, who don't have any music on their myspace player I noticed. What's going on there?!
They are an enigma, and need to be experienced live! Their last gig in Manchester saw them crammed inside a small tent onstage. Only two members of the audience could get inside to see them perform, the rest just saw shadows playing instruments from the outside! They are pure art and need to be seen.
Also playing is Abi Makes Music, could you tell us a bit about her?
Yes, she is the sarcastic electro-pop queen of the queer scene. Some people have rather disgustingly called her the lesbian Kate Nash, I think she has a dash of Depeche Mode and a dash of Lily Allen, her lyrics are brilliant and ridiculous. She's a star.
You're on Cherryade Records, which I would describe as a sort of boutique DIY indie... label... is that an accurate description?
I think that's a great description. Their home looks like a Barbie and My Little Pony Boutique actually! Seriously though, I think the only thing Cherryade artists all have in common is that they are very different to everything else that's going on, and not many others labels would release us. For different reasons, myself and bands like The Lovely Eggs, Candy Panic Attack or Bobby McGess all make people go "Eh? What are they going on about?"
Do they have an office? Is there a contract you sign?
They live in Cherryade Towers, where the magic happens. There's pink plastic furniture and records everywhere! It's all very relaxed, no contracts, we release stuff when we have it ready, which suits me as my next release later this year will be my fourth in under three years - it's as busy or relaxed as the artists want it to be, which is amazing allows for genuine creativity.
Finally, and to paraphrase the Flaming Lips, if you had infinite power, what would you do?
I'd give the Pope a pair of breasts and his own transgendered butch lesbian to fondle them. He'd be so much happier, and it would make a great record cover.
QUEER RIOT TAKES PLACE AT THE ROYAL VAUXHALL TAVERN ON 13 AUGUST

From Time Out London, January 2010..

Interview for Indietracks Festival, 2009, HERE

From Gay Times (GT), January 2009..

Interview for Manchester Evening News, March 2008, HERE

From The World's a Mess and You're My Only Cure 'zine, 2008..

Interview for Gaydar Nation, March 2008..

Pink Bomb is the new, snarling, funny, righteous musical product from Ste McCabe, Manchester's brightest queer hope. A mixture of pop and punk, it's a lo-fi homosexual delight guaranteed to offend and delight your ears.

We tracked McCabe down because we wanted to know more, and this is what he told us...

What's Pink Bomb about?
Oh God, I barely know where to start. It's my little queer explosion against homophobic, classist, sexist idiots and just about everyone in between.

The first track, ‘Huyton Scum’, is an attack on the kind of character I grew up around. The kind of vile, self-centred, prejudiced imbecile who thinks by employing every single ‘ism’ into his world he will somehow gain respect. What this kind of person doesn't realise is that when you hate queers, women, every racial variation other than Caucasian, fat people, people with disabilities (you get the idea), there's no reason for anyone to respect you other than other emotionally retarded people like your sad little self.

I won't give an essay on each track, otherwise I really will go on forever, but ‘See You In Hell’ is my favourite track lyrically. It's a smug attack on the Church from a gay person's point of view, well, this gay person's point of view anyway! It's about how pathetic their cries of persecution are when gay rights go through it all the time. It's as if in their twisted world their losing the right to discriminate and make gay people's lives hell somehow makes them oppressed when they positively define the word "oppress" and have gone out of their way to make gay people's lives hell since the religion formed. Pathetic.

I use humour as a tool to beat my enemies in my music - I'm not preachy and don't use simple left wing slogans, I prefer to point the finger at whoever I am singing about and say, "My, aren't you stupid little boy?"

What does punk mean to you?
Erh, that's hard. The term punk means so many different things these days and most of those things are total shit. I suppose to me it means being yourself and fighting the systems that keep you down, whatever system that might be. I took much more inspiration from the feminist Riot Grrrl movement in the 90s than from early punk. I am a feminist and see a distinct link between gay rights and feminism, where there is the oppression of women you will usually find the oppression of queers too.

Feminist straight women along with gay men, lesbians, trans people etc are seen as a threat to the supposed laws of gender so I was, and continue to be, really inspired by Riot Grrrl as it speaks to me much more than some stupid punk outfits of today like Blink 182 who seem to think that exploiting women is somehow anti-establishment. Erh, that is the establishment you dicks!

And pop?
Mainstream pop music makes me sick. I love a lot of 80s pop, particularly the camp stuff like Soft Cell and Bronski Beat. Those bands had personality and actually said something, they were genuine songwriters who wanted to create and challenge. Look at Bronski Beat and what Jimmy Sommerville did and compare them to gay pop artists like Will Young. Actually I won't go down that road, sister! Believe me I'll be here all day!

I suppose my point is that I love pop music when it's genuine and listen to a lot of music for the thrill of shaking my booty, and why not? But at the same time I won't be brainwashed into buying Kylie records just because it's shoved down my throat, both on the radio and on the gay scene. I'd like to strangle Kylie, actually.

Tell us a bit about the queer/riot grrrl/DIY places where you play.
I have played some amazing, low-key gigs over the last year. The internet has opened up communication on the band circuit and I am playing for some great collectives who really believe in promoting gay and feminist artists who are totally not-for-profit.

There's a collective called Lola and the Cartwheels in Sheffield who put on regular band/music nights and the atmosphere is just perfect. Those people really believe in what they're doing. Also there's Manifesta in Leeds and Female Trouble in Manchester who are also doing some amazing things to challenge how both female and openly gay artists are pushed aside on the music scene and treated as novelty acts.

The gigs that I play tend to reflect my outlook and I'm always happier to play for someone like Manifesta than some shallow promoter looking for the next big thing and ways to line his pocket.

Heterosexuality in music is taken for granted as a normal thing to sing about (even the gay male pop stars sing songs to women, it's pathetic) but queers or feminists are treated as other artists and told to basically stop whinging and sing about something more everyday. My answer to that is, basically, kiss my arse.

What is it about Manchester that makes it such a fertile place for creative snarlers?
Maybe it's the musical history, although to be honest, besides The Smiths, I couldn't name too many bands from Manchester who have inspired me. The Manchester bands who do inspire me are bands on the circuit now, particularly Vile Vile Creatures, who play lesbian political disco punk.

I'm actually a scouser, but kind of an adopted Mancunian, I've been here long enough to say that. What I love about Manchester is the humour of the people here. I dunno, I'm struggling with this question. It ain't the glossy false gay scene here, I know that much.

What else would you like to say?
I suppose a little message to the readers who might want to hear more queer bands: don't look to the mainstream, it is heterosexist in the extreme. Queer bands and artists, of all genres including pop and hip hop as well as alternative and punk, who aren't ashamed of themselves and do not censor the queerness out of their music (Will Young is no longer closeted, but his music is) do exist all over the country and there are some amazingly talented, gutsy people out there, you just have to look.

Murder Music Reviews....

Below are all the reviews I am aware of for my most recent, 2009 album "Murder Music". I don't believe in printing just the good press - the bad stuff is just as much fun....so do enjoy!

Firstly, a review from The Skinny in Scotland - liking the music but excusing the nasty behaviour of certain people as "complex" :

The only problem with Murder Music is its self-Godwination, to steal a phrase. Linking Christianity and Islam with Nazism, as per the cover art and non-musical interludes, is facile, and too problematic to dissect on a limited word count, so let’s move on. The bulk of the album is McCabe’s trademark blend of angry and witty queer pop-punk. Whether he’s raging about homophobic murders, enthusing about cleaning toilets for minimum wage, or taking the piss out of overly macho idiots who deafen themselves with loud music in souped-up cars, his words are always accompanied by a catchy tune, liable to both lodge itself in your head and coax you onto the floor come the next queer dance party. He’s got a winning formula, and his righteous anger strikes a chord – so hopefully next time he’ll give more thought to the complexities of the institutions he critiques. I’ll be keen to hear how that will sound. 4/5

Next, a nice short review from Atomic Duster :

N: An album in which Ste McCabe ensures that he is going to hell, in whichever faith turns out to be right. In his own inimitable fashion, he does it in a highly entertaining fashion.

T: Well even though it has its humorous side, the album appears to be a very serious attack on certain corners of society's views on gay rights. As you have pointed out, this is an explosive, and most enjoyable take on the matters. Often he comes across like an even camper Jilted John, but that's part of the appeal. 8/10

Next, my favourite of all! Someone should tell the guy from Tasty that it's not a good idea to patronise an artist's lyrics when the point of them has flew over your tiny brain faster than a petrol bomb explodes in a "chavvy disco" :

So... Whatever your political stance, yeah? Whatever your secret thinky thoughts about those who co-habit this planet with you, ah-ha? However it may make you physically wretch when some absolutely soulless, mindless, heartless, and fatuous twat sprays forth their deeply rancid bile about this group or that group, how they’re the bad guys because of skin or sex. Surely, we cannot surrender our freedom to say ‘oi, you are a repugnant little fucker and I hate every sentence your poxy mind strings together’ in order to gag these simpletons in the first place? No? Just me?

Well, Ste McCabe would definitely disagree. Fight fire with fire, David Byrne once sung and Ste must have been soaking a dish cloth is gasoline when he heard that sentiment. Now, I once saw Ste McCabe, around ten years ago, when he played under the guise of Stephen Nancy. At the time, someone commented that Ste’s core audience must be those militant right-wing homosexuals you hear so much about. The ones that reject all that liberal ‘can’t we just get on’ bollocks and instead take the line of... well, let’s look at the lyrics of Ste’s first song: ‘I wonder how people would react if we said similar things... the kinds of things they say about us... about someone like the pope, maybe? Something like KILL HIM KILL HIM (repeat ad nauseum)’. Ste’s next song, Militant Disco, advocates the bombing of a ‘Chavvy disco’ as replacement for the usual ‘silly protest’ that is often the recourse of sensible and freedom loving people when they wish to react to something they may feel strongly about (yeah, I know, what the fuck are they thinking, ay?). In fact, McCabe essentially wants to see the death of everyone except for... hmm, maybe it is everyone.

I get it, Ste. Some people are horrible bastards. Some people have no respect for human life and the wonderful diversity that such a thing offers. And there’s no excuse for them or their ideas, especially not for the violence they may do on to others. But your reactionary, politically under-cooked and rhetorically over-blown songs are verging on the insane, rooted in the ill-conceived. Mainly, because you don’t seem to realise that a view or idea or opinion can’t rape, murder, or torture. People do that, Ste. It’s people. It’s dickheads, Ste. I hope you don’t sell any records, because I genuinely think that you’re offering nothing but the kind of resentment and hate-filled tenets that those you rage against disseminate. And I’d fight to the death for your right to express it, I really would. I remember reading how the Democrats (I can hear you booing, Ste) had to rethink the language they used because they were always forced to use terms invented by the Republicans (yay, Ste, hawks aplenty). Thus, the Democrats (hissssss) were always waging war on the Republicans’ (whoop! whoop!) field of battle. See, Ste? Change the diction and great things can happen. Using their words and their actions only cements their opinions. Just a thought.

Next, a short review from Gay Times, or GT as it's known these days. To the left of the page was Leona Lewis, to the right was Susan Boyle. I was the meat in a very nasty sandwich there! :

The following is from Artrocker magazine...

The following review is from The Devil Has The Best Tuna...

Ste McCabe
Genre: Punk / Electro
From: Manchester, United Kingdom

At a point in British history when homophobic attacks are on the increase, the leader of the BNP is appearing on the BBC, gay is a term of abuse in schoolyards across the country and 'pop' stars (and I use the term lightly!) are outing gay men in an attempt to smear them we need Ste McCabe, the one man pocket sized TRB for the noughties, and his angry new album 'Murder Music'.

Ste is his usual angry, passionate self sounding like Shelley (the romantic punk singer not the English romantic poet) fronting an electro punk Crass. Religion gets a bashing as does Mick Hucknall, jurors and the Pope.

While the polemic can get a little oppressive at times and you find yourself yearning for an old fashioned Buzzcockesque love song to ease the tension, you cannot but help be caught up in his righteous anger. Check out the short, sharp attack on arrogant young, and probably homophobic, chavs of 'I've Got A Big Car' and the gay punk disco of 'Militant Disco' which sounds like a gourmet soup made from the Pet Shop Boys and Crass.

Now more than ever before is the time to sing if you're glad to be gay!

And here's the last, and rather dreadful, review from Unpeeled!....

STE McCABE: "Murder Music" (Cherryade Records)
RELEASED? Out now.
SOUNDS LIKE? A dude with an electric guitar and the worst electro drum machine in the world ever. Oh,
and a bit of piano on "I'll Spit
On Your Grave", a hate filled
ditty that seems to be aimed
at a priest, or maybe the pope,
or a next door neighbour
whose dog barks all night, it is
a bit ambiguous, though it
does have all the hallmarks of
Mr McCabes music, which is
out of tune singing, misplaced
sentiments and blind hatred
used to fight blind hatred.
IS IT ANY GOOD? Ghandi is
famously quoted as saying, "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." And from Ste's music I get the feeling that he would be quite happy if we were all stumbling around in the dark trying to find the kettle. There are some really serious issues tackled on this album, and they are tackled with fury, anger and sarcasm in varying degrees. It's just a pity that none of the righteous indignation has gone in to making any music worth listening to. And that's the crux. Political albums are like comedy albums, the music is often an afterthought, and that is what the music on this, Ste's sophomore effort, feels like. And the half arsed electro beats? They make me so angry I could beat up a priest, wear his clothes, stick on a hitler moustache and wave a Daily Mail at the closest camera, but I won't as that would be pointless and juvenile. Ste McCabe has a lot to say that I agree with, but here he has made music which I don't. It might be a balance thing, as Ste's fury goes up his song writing ability goes down. This is a punk album, and punk often means music that is made with passion rather than talent, and Ste does have passion, lots of it, it spews from his mouth much in the same way Snickers bars spew into school toilet bowls from the mouths of insecure girls with bad teeth, all he needs now is to write a good song with all that bile.

All other reviews for previous releases will follow soon....

Below are reviews for my debut album Hate Mail, released in 2008...

The first review is from Organ.....
STE McCABE – Hate Mail (Cherryade) - Hate male? Daily Mail? Smell of middle England giving you the fear? Family values rotting in hell? Ste is your man. Up front and confrontational about pretty much everything. Around here we love him! North West of England ranting queercore lo-fi wired-up punk rock. He sounds like Holly Johnson fronting a fractured angry Buzzcocks via raw Carter USM and dare you listen to something new or sit and.... One skinny looking man, one edgy scratchy skinny guitar, a fractured drum machine and a barbed line in relentless baiting just about everyone with his defiant lyrical feistiness. He don’t like those Four Puffs on Jonathan Ross with their televised clichés and limp wrists and you can’t help but smile when you see a song title like Four Puffs And A Shotgun. Nice version of Pet Shop Boys’ Bedsitter and it isn’t about fitting in or playing by the rules (or indeed breaking the rules) or conforming to the stereotype. Proper raw punk rock laced with positive anger and a welcoming smile and a little more than scratching each other’s eyes out. Ste McCabe is a national treasure, call the Daily Mail and ask them where their review is, excellent album – www.myspace.com/stemccabe or www.cherryademusic.co.uk

Next by Russel Barker, journalist for various music publications, from his own website...
Ste McCabe - Hate Mail (Cherryade)
A shock of the new from Manchester, Ste McCabe's debut album delivers handsomely.
I mean, as an opening track 'Queer Clubbing' is like a camp Art Brut, which is a wonderful thing indeed. Hot on it's heels comes 'Hate Mail', which is a thundering fuzz pop tune, somewhat like Buzzcocks and 'I'm Not Bitter' which carries on the lineage of fast, feisty pop, garbled lyrics and sniping while sounding fun. Then you have gems like 'Huyton Scum', which sounds like it could have come from some weird alternative version of Grease.
It says how good an album this is that the 'Bedsitter' cover is one of the least interesting things on here, although it does fit in with the theme of the album though. 'Rant (By The Seaside)' diversifies things somewhat, being a ukulele lead Bobby McGee's style thing. All I can say to finish is that you should get this album, if you like nasty fun.

Next from Shadowplay - destroying the Cherryade roster, haha!
Now there’s pretty much no-one on the excellent Cherryade Records that I dislike however I have to admit that Ste McCabe is out on his own as he just grates grates grates. I hate music which puts statement before sound, that’s what printed press, television and the internet are for. Now let’s get this clear, I’m not gay, I’m not homophobic and I’m not naïve to the fact that homophobia still exists in this country however I think that largely, especially in the music scene, it is more than accepted. So to produce most of an album shouting about homophobes and idiots becomes waring and tedious. Ste just attacks his guitar all the way through it, the riffs are not bad but his voice isn’t the best at holding a note. More consideration to the music than trying to shock would be my preference, a blemish on an otherwise perfect roster.

"Is This Music" Review....
If you are not familiar with Ste McCabe, he’s a man on a mission. Fed up of negative attitudes and behaviour towards homosexuals, McCabe focuses most of his lyrical content (and album artwork) on this stimulus.
It feels bad that I’m giving this a bad review then. It’s difficult to review something like this, a bit like reviewing a feminist band that are terrible, it’s not because of them or their cause, it’s for the music. And it must be pointed out that it’s the MUSIC I’ve got issues with. Comprende?
Actually, to be fair, this album’s got a really good song on it. A really, really good song. ‘Queer Clubbing’ is a short, catchy and likeable punk track. Unfortunately, the rest of the songs sound the same. Drum machine? Check. Vocals too low in the mix to make McCabe’s interesting lyrics inaudible? Check. A strictly limited amount of guitar chords? Check.
You know something’s wrong when three songs effectively have the same drumbeat. You know something’s wrong when an outspoken ambassador for gay rights can’t be heard over his guitar. The production’s all wrong and there’s just not enough to maintain interest. I thought the point of this music would be to raise awareness of the issues at hand. To showcase punk attitudes. To give a massive ‘fuck you’ to homophobes. Unfortunately, it doesn’t do any of that, and the end of the album is welcome.
Ste McCabe is capable of much better than this. This is shown in ‘Queer Clubbing’. Unfortunately, the standard isn’t carried through the rest of the record. Disappointing.

Review from Gaydar Nation (by Bree Hoskin).....
Ste McCabe , the man responsible for what he calls February’s “little queer explosion against homophobic, classist, sexist idiots”, aka the punk-pop EP Pink Bomb, is back with his funny and fierce album Hate Mail.
Sharp, raging opener ‘Queer Clubbing’ immediately sets up his point of view on what he calls “the land of stereotypes” and how it plays into the oppressive attitudes of the establishment: “I don’t wanna disco dance…when you speak to me, don’t try to patronise”. McCabe adds that he’s never been "a fan of misogyny”, which is in keeping with his view that gay rights and feminism are often inextricably linked. “Where there is oppression of women you will usually find the oppression of queers, too”, he has said. “Feminist straight women along with gay men and lesbians are seen as a threat to the supposed laws of gender”.
In turn, I felt a real connection with McCabe’s music. ‘I’m Not Bitter’, a track about men who use and abuse, draws attention to cock-proud “men with their hands in their pockets, think they can buy you with a double vodka”. With its messed up beats, distorted vocals and urgency, this is a punk-pop rendition of what Simone de Beauvoir laid out years ago: “The most mediocre of males still feels himself a demi-god as compared with women”.
McCabe continues the sentiment with humour that hits hard on a nerve: “Men who are so proud of their cocks, well guess what? I’ve got one, too!” McCabe explains that he uses humour “as a tool to beat my enemies in my music”, and this woman - who’s spent many a night dealing with cash-flashing, cock-sure men who assume I cost the same as a vodka tonic - certainly appreciates it.
Hate Mail’s title track is also wickedly funny as it deals with the readers of the Daily Mail, with McCabe snarling, “You’ve got style, I must confess, for a pretty little Hitler in a floral dress”, while ‘Four Puffs and a Shotgun’ has McCabe committing to kissing “the straight guy’s arse” with “a limp wrist and a shopping list”.
Equally poignant yet musically pared down is the acoustic ‘Rant (By the Seaside)’, in which McCabe relays his life story, starting with an episode in which he runs away from a football and going on to describe how teachers turned a blind eye when he was bullied at school. He admits it’s “not an unusual narrative for a gay boy in a backward town”, but the rawness, honesty and subject matter of the song is certainly something different and fresh on the music scene.
Oh, and you can dance to the album, too. So what more could we want? Not a lot, that's for damn sure - it's pretty much got everything to both incense and excite.

A weird one from God is in the TV....

Ste McCabe is gay, he doesn’t like certain people’s attitudes, and he wants to shout about it. Fair enough. It’s not the references or subject matter that grate here, though, it’s the sounds. That yelping voice of his, that blast of angry guitar. Buzzsaw guitars and rallying cries, handclaps, kitsch keyboard beats, and wry lyrics, kind of in the vein of Helen Love, only minus all the glittery smiley fun.
I’m quite the fan of Cherryade Records (to which he is signed), a really great little independent label that has some fun punky pop bands on its roster, like being transported back to Radio One’s Evening Session circa 1995, when bands like Vyvyan and Angelica would sing about discos, cider, broken hearts, and going out. In fact, the label have signed up the new incarnation of Angelica, featuring Holly Ross and going under the moniker of The Lovely Eggs, who are rather ace indeed, but I digress.
I can imagine John Peel would’ve played Ste McCabe’s records on his show back in the day, and as soon as the scree of garage band electric guitar cut out to signal the song’s end, he’d probably quietly and wryly and a little shyly have said: That was Ste McCabe. Well, he’s an angry young man. And that’s about all I feel moved to say about him too. Maybe there’s a place and an audience for this sort of thing, Ladyfest comes to mind. But like listening to spoken word lady Penny Broadhurst witter on about waiting at the bus stop in the rain wishing she was eating a bag of chips with Alan Bennett, listening to Ste McCabe across an entire album is just not very interesting or inspiring.

The Devil Has The Best Tuna Review....
The North West of England has traditionally been a citadel of anti authority, non conformist politics. It's therefore no surprise to find that angry, political, homophobe baiting, pro feminist, queer pop-punkster Ste McCabe hails from Manchester.
His latest album 'Hate Mail' (Cherryade Records), a full on blend of pure punk guitar and a snippy, snarling, sarcastic world view, marks Ste out to be the Billy Bragg, or possibly even the Henry Rollins, of gay politics . The albums 11 tracks of short sharp gobs of spittle flecked vitriol hover in the hinterland of The Buzzcocks and Jilted John reimagined as a gay activist.
The brilliant 'Huyton Scum' is a witty diatribe about a racist, homophobic, sexist idiot, 'Four Puffs & A Shotgun' is a long overdue pop at the over rated and over paid Jonathan Ross and his overly camp band of gay uncle toms, 'Rant (By The Seaside)' describes the life of a homosexual growing up in a small, in mind as well as size, town while the ironically titled 'I'm Not Bitter' is a bitter, bile spilling 'fuck you' to a former lover.

As you can gather 'Hate Mail' ain't an album of cheerful ditties to help us forget about the world problems for a while. It's a full on confrontational album promoting a world view that get's far too little coverage in a music scene where the ugly, regressive, misogynistic cock rock of AC/DC is lauded in the NME (that's NEW Musical Express!!).

Ste won't be getting many invites to join the Conservative Party and I think I can guarantee that he won't be selling many copies of the album in the American Deep South.

Atomic Duster Review...
Ste McCabe specializes in tunes that fire at his audiences short sharp abrasive measures of sarcastic venom. Borne out of Manchester, it would be easy to reference that of the Buzcocks, but that's exactly where Ste McCabe is starting from. With upfront guitar and a beatbox, Ste rides roughshod over all preconceptions of how queer punk should sound. Those who ever crossed Mr. McCabe in his former life are now hanging their heads in shame, as in his lyrics he would appear to remember all, as he goes at them with a cheese grater, in a musical sense of course. In this, his debut album, where not only do the Buzzcocks meet Soft Cell, but he marks up one for the underdog. Both insanely catchy and well observed.

Soundcheck Magazine review....
If I was reviewing album cover art instead of album content, then this would win hands down!! I love it! Its one of those covers that I would love to have up on the wall....a great piece of pop art.
Ste McCabe is something of a mystery to me....I'd never heard of him or his brand of 'bedroom-budget-low-fi' music, however, this is just what I needed to land through the door of the editorial office. This is almost Pete Shelley-esque in it's delivery and urgency, cleverly penned social commentary, with heavy punk-pop undertones and easily danceable beats.
Stand out track on the album is 'Fire', an upbeat rocker that the aforementioned Mr.Shelley would have been proud of. 'This Is Not Your Party' reminiscent of early Velvet Underground and the wonderful 'Joy Division' like 'bedsitter' are worthy of a mention too. This is one for the car stereo guys!

Gay Times Review....
Take a drum machine, guitar and overdrive pedal. Add one angry, working-class gay scouser, leave to simmer in years of smalltown homophobia and Viola! - the result will be something like Hate Mail, both heartbreakingly vitriolic and endearingly shambolic. McCabe makes bitter lo-fi bedroom disco, laced with scathing lyrics like, "He don't like the queers, queers make him sick, even the ones he forces to go down and suck his dick." If you like anti-assimilationist queer theory and Helen Love, you'll spunk your pants. If not, there's a new Girls Aloud album out...

Penny Black Music Review....
Earlier this year, I reviewed Ste McCabe's debut EP 'Pink Bomb', and it was hard to write that review without mentioning Wales' finest, Helen Love, a comparison that I was far from alone in drawing.
Now Ste's back with his first album,'Hate Mail',and it's basically more of the same, which might sound a bit negative, but it's not. The EP was a nice slab of queer electro punk pop. It's always nice to know what you will get when buying a record. Some of the best tracks on the album include the chant-like 'Broken Record', the title track and 'Huyton Scum', a song that was also on the aforementioned EP.
If you like the thought of the Ramones using a drum-machine and singing about gay rights, this will be definitely your cup of tea! If not, you still ought to give it a try...

Below are reviews for my debut EP "Pink Bomb", released in February 2008, which has now sold out.....

Artrocker Review....
Ubercool indie label Cherryade release this debut EP from Manchester's 'Queen of queer punk'. And as Ric Rawlins reveals, it's a drum machine driven ride through some supercharged pop music...

It's a cliche that Manchester's Ste McCabe is happy to casually piss all over with this, his debut LP of "kiss my ass" techno-punk pop songs.

In his photos he looks like the kind of guy that would glass you for dissing his football team, or perhaps play an Orc in a Lord Of the Rings sequal. And despite a slightly Ziggy-esque vocal affliction, his music is equally as cruel, unforgiving, and demonically fun.

It starts as it means to go on, by deflating prejudice. 'Huyton Scum' aims it's sniper fire at a 'hard nut' who can't understand why lesbians won't sleep with him, like the porno mags promised. It's a relentless pisstake that highlights the repressed double standrads of homophobes: "He don't like the queers, the queers make him sick / even the ones he forces to go down and suck on his dick."

Between pop songs and catchy choruses, things become notably darker with 'See You In Hell', which throws up imagery of burning churches, destroyed livers and the angsty chant of "Change the record!" It has the feel of an early Manic Street Preachers track, twisted with anger and propelled by fast beats.

McCabe jokes on the sleeve that people keep telling him to "get a proper band" - and it's true, this record sounds like it was an entirely solo effort. However, the lo-fi fuzziness has a kind of Red-Bull style shock appeal, and together with his lyrics go towards making a short, sharp bullet of a record. Mccabe is kicking against the pricks - and declaring homsexual cliches bankrupt.

Gaydar Nation Review by Charlotte Cooper.....
Pink Bomb is Ste McCabe's debut release, an EP of truly independent music put out by the glorious Cherryade label. It is the freshest, funniest, angriest music that has passed over this reviewer's desk in a very long time.
It's doubtful that you will have heard of McCabe before now, so let's introduce him. McCabe is a solo performer who’s been described as Manchester's Queen of queer punk, which would be about right if queer punk supported a monarchy. McCabe is more than any of those labels, of course, his music also encompasses messed-up beats, weird Le Tigre-style distorted vocals and too many pop culture references to name here. You can even dance to it. Queer punk also seems like a reductive term for the rich underground music scene, also known as DIY, Riot Grrrl, or queercore, that has been supporting him for the past couple of years, whose values and aesthetic informs what he does. It's really exciting to hear British queer music that does not evade the realities of queer life, it is validating and offers listeners a sense of possibility, that music can be something more, you could even call it soulful. 'Huyton Scum’ is a sarcastic song baiting bigoted men for their homophobia and hate and includes the line. "No one loves you." ‘See You In Hell’ is about religious hypocrisy and ‘Selling Beauty’ a critique of the beauty industry. None of the songs on Pink Bomb portrays gay people as passive victims, even ‘Rant’ is full of energy and bile, but instead McCabe offers a view of queer life that is politicised, mouthy, knowing, intelligent, poetic and as angry as hell. This is no finely-crafted, over-produced background music. Be warned, it will shred your ears - but in a good way! McCabe sounds a bit like early Buzzcocks, mixed in with Billy Bragg - back when he had something to say - and a touch of the sardonic lyricism of a Mark E Smith. Sometimes you wonder if McCabe's anger will eat him up whole, he sounds apoplectic with rage, but he always manages to temper it with humour, he never gives in to it completely. He's got a gigantic chip on his shoulder, but he's funny and righteous with it too. Perhaps one of the reasons why it's so hard to put McCabe in a box, not that you'd want to, is that you're very unlikely to hear this kind of music unless you actively go looking for it. Mainstream record companies are not interested in angry, ranting, feminist-identified queer men, especially not singers like McCabe, who couldn't be less like a glossy, good-looking, unthreatening gay pop star. Perfectly titled, Pink Bomb is like a musical explosion, blowing away conformist consumerist pap and attempting to show the grittiness of real life. What’s more, Pink Bomb is available for a measly four quid from the Cherryade website. That's less than a pound per track! Alice Horton's intense, beautiful and colourful cover art is included in the price too. Believe me, this is the best money you will spend on music for the foreseeable future.

Is This Music Review....
In an age where punk music has largely become watered down, commercial, chart-friendly and about as far removed from politics or real people’s lives as you could possibly get, it’s a relief and a joy to hear someone like Ste McCabe.
The brilliant ‘Huyton Scum’ is a witty, thrashing picture of someone of a racist, homophobic, sexist idiot, ‘Rant’ is about growing up as a homosexual in a small town, while ‘See You in Hell’ is a bile-spitting tirade against the hypocrisy and irrelevance of the church.
Manchester-based Ste McCabe is a proper punk, with proper songs, proper catchy melodies and Johnny Ramone style guitar.
While it seems that any band signed to a major record label that plays fast, loud power chords on guitar can be a ‘punk’ band, Ste has brought back the DIY ethic. Just him and a guitar and a drum machine can make a hell of a lot of noise and a hell of a lot more impact than a lot of the shite that passes for punk at the moment.

Gay Times Review....
Fab lo-fi queer bedroom punk, like Jilted John with political awareness berating a bigoted chav over a cheap drum machine. Perhaps not one to play while the boyf's parents are round.

Atomic Duster Review.....
T: Ste McCabe is Manchester's political queer pop-punkster. That's not me being homophobic; that's what it says in the press release. It's an appealing set of tunes not far removed from the idea of Plastic Bertrand performing songs by The Ramones. With an iherently gay twist of course. Highly amusing. In fact it's probably what Jilted John would have turned into if Graham Fellows had followed that persona through.

N: Makes a change from Erasure! It is probably the best thing we've heard all day (excepting of course the already familiar 'Juno' soundtrack). Steve's approach could be described as Marc Almond performs 'punk' and the lyrical content is both possibly biographical and quite refreshing for it. 8/10

Organ Review.....
SINGLE OF THE WEEK
STE McCABE – Pink Bomb EP (Cherryade) - Ste’s finest release to-date, his releases are always good – right back to the very home-made raw-as-hell Stephen Nancy demo days. “Manchester’s Queen of queer punk” heralded the Manchester Evening News – and how right they are – infectiously catchy ranting riot-boy punk pop and no hint of any compromise yet (we didn’t expect there would be!). Snarling sarcastic biting and homophobe baiting angry bite bite bite - “Pro-feminist, anti-church”. Angry pop music, not so angry that it isn’t fun though. He’s actually a Scouser, bit of a Holly Johnson voice (he’ll probably rage at us for saying that!), he’s got a massive chip on his shoulder – and we wouldn’t want it any other way, he’s a positive hero... and he’s got the sound and production nailed down just right now – a fine balance somewhere between raw lo-fi and studio polish. – imagine a one man ranting DIY queercore punk rock riot with a drum machine and a hint of Morrissey and a large slice of Buzzcocks or maybe a bit of Carter USM along with some Bikini kill/Vile Vile Creatures attitude and songs that just get inside your head and make you smile (well OK, they may not actually make you smile that much if you’re a Daily Express reading Tory homophobe or your name is Tommo). www.myspace.com/stemccabe or www.cherryademusic.co.uk

Russel Reviews.co.uk Review....
Ste McCabe's new EP 'Pink Bomb' is out on Cherryade and quality as you might expect. 'Huyton Scum' is snotty punk pop, like The Toy Dolls with less twee vocals. 'See You In Hell' is like the final throws of punk and 'One Step Too Far' has a frazzled lurch about it, a
bit like a slower version of early Pop Will Eat Itself. Short, sharp and to the point, just the way we like it.

Unpeeled Review.....
Single of the month
Sounds like? Jilted John stalking Plastique Bertrand, flinging old Buzzcocks singles like ninja stars, every one bang on target. It's all fuzz, sparks, back beats, casual but loving and offensive stuff for the humour free.
Is it any good? It beats the hell out of Billy Bragg for social commentary and it's well up to Matt Dangerfield post-punk standars, especially the gorgeous "Rant". So, really Helen Love with her boots on.

Penny Black Music Review....
I actually haven’t read any reviews of this five track EP, which is also the debut release from Ste McCabe, a Manchester guy who’s been playing at many different gay and riot grrl events for the past few years in his native UK. I’m pretty sure, however, that someone must have mentioned Welsh all girl trio Helen Love when drawing comparisons. If not, I will eat my entire record collection! That’s how sure I am!
The first track, 'Huyton Scum', kicks off with a steady beat from the drum machine, and then blasts off with a wall of distorted guitars and Ste’s voice, that sounds very much like the vocalist of Helen Love (who is called simply Helen). The only big difference is that Ste is writing lyrics about homophobe-baiting and feminism, while Helen mostly writes about meeting members of the Ramones and other punk boys.
I have to say that I find McCabe’s views of the world much more appealing, and the lyrics on 'Pink Bomb' are great ! The songs aren’t too bad either, and this is a really promising debut. But I do wonder if it would be just as good if it was an entire album.
NB : By the way… I had to check and see if anyone had mentioned Helen Love in any review, and yes! I was right! So, I’m keeping my record collection…

Losing Today Review....
Ste McCabe ‘Pink Bomb’ (Cherryade). Apologies to all concerned - it seems this blighter kinda got lost in the mounting CD pile in our gaff and with that got criminally overlooked. Been a fair old while since we had any Cherryade action doing the business on the hi-fi. Release number 15 for the imprint that brought us Steveless, Listen with Sarah, Tall Pony and the Candy Panic Attack to name but a few in recent memory return to disrupt the airwaves and ruffle the record racks with this - the debut release from baiting punk pop queer Ste McCabe. Five tracks - 10 minutes in total duration is what you get. Mr McCabe has been ranting, raving and ridiculing just about everything in sight since stumbling upon an embracing nascent DIY punk scene some two years ago. Politicised, un-pc (especially on the viciously uncouth ‘Huyton Scum’) and impishly sarcastic this quintet of non nonsense, stripped to the bone, razor sharp bitches are laced with crudely impish affection and metered out with a cheap snotty bargain basement styled mentality that makes the New York Dolls sound positively high spec. Sitting sound wise somewhere between a beat driven techno punk puking buzz sawing Plastic Bertrand - that is Plastic Bertrand with a shit load of Ramones attitude and an unhealthy wannabe fixation for the Shangri-La’s, McCabe scowls through the set in the blink of an eye at times sounding like a seriously minimalist Buzzcocks with a shed load of baggage (especially on the oblivion pop of ‘see you in hell’). Whatever shortcomings in terms of technique and delivery that are laid at McCabe’s feet there’s no questioning the spirit, each of these cuts are laced acutely with hyper hook laden teen angst and decoded with fizzing bubblegum pyrotechnics with superbly coalesces on the parting caustic candy pop cutie ‘Selling Beauty’. You have been warned. www.cherryademusic.co.uk

Culture Deluxe Review...
Mancunian lo-fi punk-pop revivalist Ste McCabe has issues with everyone it seems, but especially with 'Thommo' the eponymous, hard nut, anti-hero of 'Huyton Scum' - a cumulative caricature who 'hates gays except the ones he makes suck his cock', would vote BNP if he knew what it was and even hates his family due to their age, weight and mental prowess (and that's me toning it down somewhat). This lead track brings to mind the cartoon punk schtick with a message of The Buzzcocks or Sultans of Ping FC but the production and lyrics come up somewhat short of either. Neither can it be considered a 'Jilted John' for the noughties featuring none of the charm of Graham Fellows' most celebrated music moment.
Elsewhere on the disc, 'Rant' sounds like McCarthy demoing on a tape machine around C86, 'See You In Hell features some great Martin Hannett style production overdubs and 'Selling Beauty' is musically the strongest track on the EP, despite its lack of lower frequencies and length.

Shadowplay Review.....
Our round up wouldn’t be complete without an appearance from our faves Cherryade Records but for the first time I think they might’ve just missed the mark. Although ‘queer pop-punkster’ Ste McCabe offers the necessary edge, different quality and rawness that they usually offer in their quality pop but I just think there’s just not enough to enjoy here. Yes he’s weird and different but the point is pedalled to the point where you just don’t care on this, the Pink Bomb EP. I’m not writing him off, just more than attempts to shock would be nice next time, oh and a tune.

Noize Makes Enemies review....
There’s ways and ways of doing social commentary. It’s probably best to listen to this as if it were a limerick so as not to hand it on a plate the clearest evidence of a lack of quality control caused by the internet: “He would love his brother if his brother weren’t a spazz/He would love his mother if she weren’t so fucking fat”. Hilarious stuff, isn’t it.See the thing is, the expiry date on this sort of half-arsed ‘punk’ backing was way back in the aftermath of ‘Never Mind The Bollocks’. Who says that you need to back up opinion with such dross? Isn’t it a given that providing air space to the brandings in society is so as to entrench them, and to further deep-seat your own so-called minority idiosyncrasies? Note to Ste McCabe: ‘If you want a more egalitarian humanity, maybe it’d be a wiser idea to stop with the constant labelling. Sensational isn’t it that you’re gay? Wow.’ Get over yourself.So: this is not a statement. It’s not funny. It’s a series of irksome clichés It’s Green Day and Blink 182 for the even more socially inept. Anything else? Oh yeah, and it’s cringeworthy rather than snarling. McCabe plays the victim, telling us all something we already know in a gratingly insatiable way. Avoid at all costs.By Natalie ShawRelease Date: 18/2/08Label: Cherryade

CD Times Review.....hilarious!
Ste Mccabe – Pink Bomb (CHERRYADE)
Manchester’s political queer pop-punkster, it says here. Tell me if I’ve chosen to focus on the least important aspects here but … Ste ? What was wrong with Steve ? Every bloody two bob laddo seems hellbent on abbreviating his name into oblivion these days with this ‘Ste’ business. Not enough that your record sounds like Sigue Sigue Sputnik remixing their b-sides for a special anniversary release.

Lobster Quadrille Magazine Review....
When I say 'talented gay Mancunian punk' you probably think of Pete Shelley from the Buzzcocks, right? He is, after all, one of the best songwriters this country has ever produced. Well from now on start thinking Ste McCabe as well. This guy is the business.
Let's examine some of his songs. 'Huyton Scum' sets about taking some homophobe to pieces with a series of terrifically incisive couplets that put you in mind of a young Terry Hall at his most sardonic: "He don't like the women cos the women are all sluts, although he's barely touched one cos he hasn't got the guts". And even better, "he don't like the Irish, he don't like the blacks, when asked to join the BNP he said 'what's that?'"
Lyrics and vocal delivery are certainly McCabe's forte, but it would be remiss not to mention his undeniable way with a tune. 'Rant', for example - a swipe at little Englanders and the more moronic aspects of footballing culture - has a very catchy chorus. And 'One Step Too Far' shows a nice bit of musical variation, rather reminiscent of the pop-punk of Carter (The Unstoppable Sex Machine) – a great band I'd completely forgotten about until now.
McCabe is hampered a little bit by the use of a drum machine (a live drummer might add the final missing ingredient to his sound) and the production is a little too straight down the line at times. But hey, who gives a shit really? This is great.

Lyrics

2009-10-25T06:31:00.000-07:00

For the time being, you can get the lyrics to most of my "older" songs (if you consider songs released in 2008 and onwards as old!) from Lyricsbay or Lyricsmode. I will be writing out all of the lyrics to my Harrowing Breakdown EP here very shortly as these were not provided with the CD. Watch this space and I will cease to be lazy shortly!

Love Ste xx

Photos

2009-10-24T06:34:00.002-07:00