What to do on a winter Monday evening. “Come with me to Cumgirl8” wasn’t quite the invite I was expecting at my advanced time of life, but I like to think I’m up for new experiences.

As it happened Cumgirl8 blew me away (pun intended), and I left Leeds Brude grinning from ear to ear. To my shame I’ve clearly had some trouble finishing… this review.

First taking a turn on stage were mysterious local duo Turnspit. The band have been given a recent name check in Far Out Magazines ‘bands to see in Leeds’ article, so finally, dear reader, I am cool.

One in leather trousers and dark roll neck sweater in charge of electronics, facing the vocalist, who held their hand to their ear for much of the gig, as if they were taking a call.

Both faced each other on stage, with the audience seemingly largely disregarded to their side. There was a subsequent brief disapproving scowling acknowledgement of we punters, almost like someone suddenly noticing the annoying crows were back in the field.

I appreciated this twist upon the fourth wall. It can be a little disconcerting for the front person to leap out off the stage, writhing around the floor at your feet (particularly when they have misjudged how well they are being received). Here it felt Turnspit didn’t give a sh1t whether one or a thousand were there to see them. Wriggling on the floor was far from their thoughts.

Musically, Turnspit were equally unyielding. I rather got the feel for a mid 1980’s Berlin nightclub. Perhaps Bowie, Iggy and David Byrne would be there. Quite dense, quality, different electronic. In places dark and solid, in others techno playful, in others as unfamiliar as Japan.

Turnspit were able to create a series of vastly different weather conditions across the stage, while we crows were powerless to halt the clouds or the rays of sunlight that flitted in front of us. Turnspit were a band that left me wanting.

Next up The Oidz, for my second experience of the band in a month. Egg punk apparently, and it’s true; I would scramble to see this band again. Indeed so good, the band members have been poached from other name worthy acts.

Last time around at the Thank album launch, sound check issues disrupted proceedings for The Oidz, this time around they pushed through a frantic, fast, urgent set which barely lasted much more than 20 minutes.

What we got was magnificent.

The band have described themselves as musical ADHD, and were originally intended as a fun, short shelf life band. Instant wavy streams of consciousness flowed out, and ‘here for a good time not a long time’ vibes hung over the set.

Deadpan vocals and mad lyrics from Summer Crane, urgent choppy, metalic guitar work from the insanely talented Ben Parry, a hard pounding beat and rhythm from Luc Gibbons and Jack Devlin and a set to remember. This is Joe Meek on speed (even more speed). Spiky, memorable and special.

I’m a privileged white older male. When I was a teenager, I saw brighter, much more talented than me women give up on education and settle for a shop job, or a cleaning job because “it wasn’t worth doing anything else for a few years before kids” or because they didn’t believe they could do it. The world has changed much for the better.

Feminism should be about pushing the final frontiers. This is where Cumgirl8 come in. A joyous band that dress like they are aged 6 playing with a trunk of old clothes. A band who don’t bat an eyelid at wardrobe malfunctions when a skirt rips. A band who play songs about UTI’s and perhaps how women are expected to put up with the pain, in a way a man never would.

Sadly we live amongst storm clouds; billionaires who might wish women were put back in a box. Be vigilant to preserve what has been achieved.

The Cumgirl8 set was glorious, joyously free and mad af. I felt like I was part of a confidential confidential chat with women who knew totally what they were about.

Musically it felt a little like a technicolour enhanced version of 1980’s Siouxie Sioux meets Sigue Sigue Sputnik with a little ‘John Wayne is Big Leggie’ fun sprinkled on top. However with two guitars, bass and drums there was also a throwback to the raw punk sounds and attitudes of bands of my youth; Delta 5, The Raincoats, The Gymslips.

Musically bright, bitter and furious in spades, visually amazing, ideas and values in spades. Cumgirl8 were showcasing their latest album, The 8th Cumming, and live delivered a more punk delivery of the tracks. It was one of of those ‘fuk its good to be alive’ gigs

Be free be more Cumgirl8. Catch them next time they grace our shores.

* words and images from tiggerligger