Boasting one of the biggest live rooms in Europe, this album sounds like the band made use of every millimetre of space in the facility. And, while it is true that the prestigious Monnow Valley Studio in Wales was used for the recording of I Want The World, the group oversaw every aspect of pre and post production of the album. Slickly conceived and radio-friendly, one would be forgiven for assuming that a big named producer was recruited into the fold and the band dispatched to an LA studio that only the sale of bodily organs could afford. From funding this very release, deciding its sonic signature and then putting it out on their own label (Puke Pop Records), Hands Off Gretel are collectively and constantly in the driver’s seat.
The DIY ethos is at the core of this group. More importantly, the band manage to do all of the above on their own terms. But, beneath the often shouty and overdriven swagger, is a quartet who are not afraid to embrace disciplined restraint and a highly catchy top line. There’s plenty of vim and vigour on display and it’s doused with generous helpings of piss and vinegar. With twelve songs and a running time of 42 minutes, I Want The World is short, razor sharp and tunefully to the point.ĭespite being some four years into their career, figurehead Lauren Tate is barely out of her teens yet writes with an engaging bile-ridden wisdom that Courtney Love or Brody Dalle would be highly envious of. Hands Off Gretel are Lauren Tate (guitar, vocals), Sean Bon (guitar) Sam Hobbins (drums) and Becky Baldwin (bass, backing vocals).Hands Off Gretel’s second album sees the band employing big sound production alongside infectious pop hooks and heartfelt punky angst. Three of these self-produced videos have gone on to secure Video of The Week with Louder Sound. The band has a strong DIY ethic, with all of the bands visuals, videos merchandise designs being created by front woman Lauren Tate. Tracks from the bands album »I Want The World« have also been play-listed with Planet Rock and Kerrang Radio, with »Its My Fault« being selected by Sophie K as track of the week on Kerrang Radio and Kerrnag’s Spotify playlist. The band has received regular airplay from their local BBC Introducing team in Sheffield and airplay on 6Music with Steve Lamacq and Tom Robinson. They have been added Spotify’s Hot New Bands Playlist and the band have had great coverage in Kerrang Magazine, Vive Le Rock, Classic Rock Magazine and many more. The band have been tipped my many industry taste makers as ‘Ones to Watch’, including Alternative Press, PRS Foundation (Emerging Artist Winners) and ‘This Feeling’ who tipped them for their #Bigin2019, including a showcase on ‘This Feeling TV’, supporting Miles Kane.
With Classic Rock putting this at No.15 in the Top 50 rock albums of 2019 ‘so far’ and Kerrang! Magazine giving it a solid 4/5 Ks. The band have received critical acclaim on their self-released album »I Want The World« (2019). They have also played the BBC Introducing stages at Tramlines and Humber Street Sesh. Over the last few years they have gigged relentlessly and swelled their UK and international fan base, resulting in a largely sold out UK album tour, busy European dates and appearances at major festivals including, Isle of Wight, Camden Rocks Festival, Y Not and Kendal Calling. Hands Off Gretel have created the perfect soundtrack of sugar-coated grunge-punk to vent and rail against the issues of body image, mental health, celebrity, childhood and loneliness all of which were addressed from a fiercely female, unapologetic, feminist perspective. Hands Off Gretel are a sassy alternative rock/grunge band from South Yorkshire, who have built themselves a solid live reputation, for high energy shows that are musically dynamic and visually compelling. Hands Off Gretel (Alternative Rock/Grunge/Punk, UK)
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