Hailing from the LGBTQIA+ capital of Brighton in the UK, the queertrans punk band Daffodildos is making an impactful entrance with their unapologetic and energetic approach to music. Formed in 2021, this trio is on a mission to challenge socio-political, fronted by Emily Flea and joined by Captain Jax and drummer Anni Von Flange, quickly becoming a voice for their community, addressing issues that matter most through their music.
Emily Flea, formerly of The Fleas and Captain Jax, from No See Ums, share a similar ethos and long-standing camaraderie, which sparked the creation of Daffodildos. They brought on Anni Von Flange, known for her work with Boot Sale and Vanilla Giver, to complete the lineup.
Daffodildos have rapidly earned a reputation as a must-see band, thanks to their magnetic performances at multiple festivals, including the recent 2024 Bearded Theory Festival. Their debut single, “No Pride,” released via the not-for-profit indie label Not Saints, offers the first taste of their sound to the wider world and firmly plants them on the map of exciting new bands to watch.
“No Pride” is a quintessential punk anthem that tackles the commercialisation of Pride events. The song dissects how Pride has become an excuse for partying, overshadowing the ongoing struggles and stigma faced by the LGBTQIA+ community throughout the rest of the year. Despite its heavy message, “No Pride” avoids sounding preachy, delivering its critique with a sharp edge and a sense of authenticity that’ sure to strike a chord with listeners.
The serves up a raucous dose of early punk, brought to life by Emily Flea’s angsty vocals, uptempo drums and crunching guitars. Brought in by distant protest shouts, a flangey guitar ushers in the driving arrangement of splashy drums, storming guitar chords and slick lead flutters before Emily’s commanding vocals enter. Distilling their sonic mission with the line “We’re here, we’re queer, we’re never gonna disappear,” the band drops an explosive punk outing that’s at once sonically fun and instilled with meaningful lyricism.
Carried by the relentless pace of the drums and wrapped in a gritty aesthetic, “No Pride” is a thrilling punk rock ride that sees Daffodildos make an epic official entrance. Having set the bar high and made their artistic statement of intent clear with their worthy first single, 2024 is sure to be a breakout year for this exciting new trio.
Commenting on the single, singer and guitarist Emily Flea shares, “I wrote it when I was on a bus in London during Pride Month, and I saw shops… banks… police cars with rainbow flags and I was like, ‘what’s this got to do with Pride’? They’re not with us, they’re against us!”
Listen to No Pride below
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