It’s always a joy, when shifting through the music submissions to Joyzine when a band not only lives up to their description, but you discover a contender for your new favourite band. That’s how I felt after listening to Duck Thieves latest Ep ‘Eyes Up Here’.
The description promised ‘Punk Panto Party Pop’ and that already had me falling head, line and sinker for this Coventry based band. As it turned out, that was a pretty apt description for this fun EP. Imagine if Talking Heads and the B52s got together for a jam while taking drugs, and then you may come close to what Duck Thieves music sounds like.
It’s been a while since I have felt truly impressed by a new band, but after listening to ‘Eyes Up Here’, I am totally in love with Duck Thieves. . It’s a rare thing that any music actually makes me laugh out loud, but the humour that underlines this EP managed just that. The songs are about serious issues- from Feminism to Racism, but with fun, gusto and a good dose of sarcasm.
The band are an interesting combination of people with a depth of experience that clearly influences their activist lyrics. The members are British East Asian Justin Wing Chung Hui, feminist filmakers Michelle bailey Le-Long and Diana Stefanescu, independent novelist Joe Wilson and ex Queen tribute drummer Thomas Gibbs. Duck Thieves have already released several EPs and have even supported The Specials.
My personal favourite song is the title truck ‘Eyes Up Here’ an epic feminist anthem with a Rocky Style intro, rap, and actual ridiculous lines that men have really said to band member Michelle. A close second is ‘For the Love, not the Money’ which has a slight 80s vibe to it. One connection between all the songs is their infectious catchiness.
If you like punk, ska, pop, then I am sure you will enjoy ‘Eyes Up Here’. I now have my fingers crossed that they will gig a bit closer to home for me, as if they are this brilliant on record, I can’t even imagine how exhilarating they must be to see live!
‘Eyes Up Here’ is out now , and you can buy it through their Bandcamp
Find Duck Thieves online- Official Website/Facebook/Instagram/Tik Tok
Review by Hayley Foster da Silva
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Interesting given the band’s choice of subject matter that you choose to describe all the band members by vocational achievements except for Justin who you describe by nationality and race
Hi thanks for pointing this out, I’m always open to learning.
In this case that line was a direct line of the copy I was sent from the band themselves. I can see what you are saying though. My apologies if it came across as racist that truly wasn’t my intention, like I said it was direct copy but duly noted regardless.