London-based five-piece Man/Woman/Chainsaw are still emerging from their teenage years, but they’ve presented themselves as a mature—if delightfully rowdy—bunch with their debut EP Eazy Peazy. The post-punk quintet is Billy Ward, Emmie-Mae Avery, Vera Leppänen, Clio Harwood, and Lola Waterworth, who are all around 19 years old. They first debuted as 16-year-olds with a handful of singles, and their first EP keeps that raucous, youthful energy while presenting a cohesive yet wonderfully chaotic vision.
Videos by American Songwriter
Man/Woman/Chainsaw are just one group representing the new generation of post-punk. They join bands like Amyl and the Sniffers and Lambrini Girls in bringing a particular air of youth to the genre. They’ve also earned comparisons to groups like Black Country, New Road and Black Midi. However, there’s still something undefinable about MWC that makes them wholly unique. According to Billy Ward, vocalist and guitarist, “we thrive on the thin line between pretty and noisy, often trying to jump between the two—it’s that chaos that excites us.”
Eazy Peazy has purchased property on that thin line and built a sprawling home there. Have you ever heard violins in a punk song? Sure, some microgenres of punk and rock rely on orchestral arrangements, but Eazy Peazy doesn’t make that the focal point. Instead, it’s a curated ingredient that makes up part of the sloppy soup of the record. Note here that I use “sloppy” with the utmost affection. This is not a criticism, but a delight—I take great joy in the raw, unhinged nature of Eazy Peazy, bolstered by the elevated strings from Clio Harwood. In my mind, the “chainsaw” of Man/Woman/Chainsaw is the essence of their music itself.
Man/Woman/Chainsaw Find a Home for Their Chaos with Mississippi Label Fat Possum Records
The EP opens with the off-kilter “The Boss,” which takes turns into quiet reflection at times with the inclusion of heightened piano and synth from Emmie-Mae Avery, beautifully backing the hectic vocals. On “Sports Day,” Billy Ward takes lead vocals, introducing himself with low droning before being joined by the others to create a Greek chorus of sorts.
“Meagan” takes us to punk school with 52 seconds of the chainsaw, while “Ode To Clio” is a beautiful showcase of Clio Harwood’s lilting violin style. Man/Woman/Chainsaw are skilled at building upon the last song to create a sense of anticipation for the next track. “Ode To Clio” blends into “Grow A Tongue In Time,” which gives us what I’m calling pastoral punk. Finally, “EZPZ” pulls from the previous track stylistically, but also brings the album home. It comes back to the chaos of “The Boss” while also keeping with the softness of “Grow A Tongue In Time.” The EP ends on a riotous wall of noise and emotion before dropping off with a strategic blip.
Eazy Peazy is also Man/Woman/Chainsaw’s label debut, having signed to Mississippi-based indie outfit Fat Possum Records for the release. Having found a home for their uniquely orchestral bedlam, I’m hoping we’ll see much more of this interesting young band. With 100 gigs under their belts so far, the world is their chaotic little oyster, and personally, I can’t wait to see what they do with it.
Featured Image by Emma Margolin
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.