Problem Patterns announce debut LP, release “Letter of Resignation” videohttps://t.co/BddGs1WFkv

— Punknews (@Punknews) June 7, 2023

The punk band from Northern Ireland have released a new single, “Letter of Resignation” to coincide with the announcement. The band has been grabbing the attention of scores of fans recently with their cathartic and inclusive lyrical content as well as their strong message for standing up for feminism albeit with a sense of humour.

The band, formed in Belfast in 2018 features an all female lineup with each member routinely switching roles within the group-an effort to give each member their own voice. After their formation, things moved unexpectedly quickly for the quartet, debuting their first ever single, “Allegedly” within their first month of existence as a band.

Unique to the genre, Problem Patterns were staunchly committed to the DIY ethic that served many a punk band very well over the years. But the band quickly found themselves on the radar of indie label Alcopop! Records, where they released their first single, “Who Do We Not Save?”-a song inspired by the Covid pandemic.

In 2019, the band released their first EP, Good For You, Aren’t You Great?-propelling them onto the punk scene with chest pumping grizzled guitars and toe tapping rhythms that would make any scenster joyously happy. Rounding their sound off is a sly tongue in cheek wit that pervades the band’s lyrics.

Befitting a group that found its feet within the uncertain and frightening times of the Covid pandemic, Problem Patterns have not shied away from lending their voices to important issues that occupy our society today. This has been highlighted by their March release of single, “Who Do We Not Save?”-the subject matter of which concerns the NHS. The band dedicated the song to the healthcare workers as well as its accompanying music video and, true to their wit added, “fun fact, we shot it on the same budget the actual NHS/HSC got this year!”

Problem Patterns supported London based duo Bob Vylan on their tour of Ireland in 2022 and are now looking to expand their ever growing fanbase with a run of festival appearances this summer including Crapfest in Liverpool and Core festival in Glasgow. The band will also play a more intimate venue in London in November.

No release date has been confirmed for Blouse Club as of yet but the band have shared via social media that it will arrive at some point later this year. Find tickets to Problem Patterns shows here.

Problem Patterns Tour:

14/07/2023 – OST Hafen Berlin – Berlin, Germany
22/07/2023 – Crapfest – Liverpool
18/08/2023 – Maryhill Community Central Hall – Glasgow
17/11/2023 – Sebright Arms – London

In the UK, the band will be supported by a variety of great acts.

In London on the 3rd of June, they will be joined by Dream Wife, an indie/punk/pop-rock three-piece from Brighton. The trio posted on their official Instagram their excitement. Along with their kind words in the post below, they captioned it saying that they are “So excited & honoured” and posted a photo of them, saying the “pic is us in Bella’s uni bedroom probably listening to Le Tigre around the time we started Dream Wife.” They cite Le Tigre, and more specifically, lead singer Kathleen Hanna, as a clear influence.

For both the Manchester and the Glasgow show, the band will be joined by Problem Patterns.

Problem Patterns are a DIY feminist queer-punk band, hailing from Belfast, Northern Ireland. They posted on Instagram, as seen below, saying “This is not a drill. We’re opening for the legendary @letigreworld this June at BOTH their Manchester and Glasgow dates! Words can’t express our excitement and gratitude. We all already bought tickets and it’s a dream come true that we get to play on these shows instead. Tickets are on sale now! These are our biggest shows to date and it would mean the world to see some familiar faces!”

Kathleen Hanna herself once said that she loves the band Problem Patterns “because they make weird music for right now that sounds like no one else and I am addicted.”

Other acts supporting them across the rest of their tour include Shamir, Morgan and the Organ Donors, Claud, Big Joanie, MAN ON MAN, Chicks on Speed, Pom Pom Squad, Who is She?, Erin Markey, cumgirl8, Morgan Bassichis & HYD.

Following the break up of riot girl-band Bikini Kill in 1998, lead singer Kathleen Hanna formed Le Tigre with Johanna Fateman and Sadie Benning. Benning shortly left in 2000 and was replaced by JD Samson. Their website says they “formed as an obstinately hopeful, even joyous, post-riot grrrl project in New York City in 1999—when Rudy Giuliani was mayor and regressive hipster irony (à la VICE Magazine) ruled.”

They first signed to Mr. Lady Records, an independent San Francisco lesbian-feminist record label. The band have released three albums in their 25-year run; self-titled album Le Tigre in 1999, Feminist Sweepstakes in 2000, and This Island in 2004. The band last played at This Aint No Picnic festival last year, after having a 17-year long break from live shows.

Tickets for the shows can be found on the bands offical website here.

UK tour dates:

03/06/2023 – Troxy – London

05/06 – Albert Hall – Manchester

06/06 – Barrowland Ballroom – Glasgow