Stick In The Wheel - A Thousand Pokes (From Here)

Stick In The Wheel take no prisoners and I’d love to check a live show. Nicola Kearey & Ian Carter have driven folk tradition through the centuries into the electronic now and decided to let punk hitch a ride along the way. It’s a potent combination.

Folk music has always had a lyrical subversiveness. What do you expect of music from peasants and working class people who’ve endured centuries of oppression and land grabs at the (blood stained) hands of the monarchy and ruling classes. Don’t be fooled by Prince Charles’ smile and comedy ears, he’s a stone cold killer.

Apart from the energy and (eloquent) attitude levels you’ve got to love Kearey’s broad East London accent which is as far away from the plummy, polite King’s English and BBC newsreaders as you could hope for. Couple that with some bare faced cheek, smart lyricism, a punk scowl that can turn on a farthing to sweet folk troubadour and you have a compelling front woman. Back that up with Carter’s fine production and multi-instrumentalism, not to mention some tight collaborators that flesh out the live show, and it’s one hell of timely “fuck right off” to peak capitalism and its lauded, overly influential billionaire masters.