South-East London-based queer punks, The Oozes have released their long-awaited 10-track EP, Gelatinous Man. The body of work consists of songs written between late 2018 and early 2023, including previously released singles, most recently, Ultrasound, STRAP!, and Ready
The duo have said, “We named the EP Gelatinous Man, both as a reference to our namesake but also an abstract description of our identity. These songs saw and felt fluctuations in many aspects of our lives.”
Throughout the EP, The Oozes continue their objective of maintaining a balance between comedy and seriousness, using both fantastical campness and direct realism in their songwriting. Produced and mixed by Daniel Fox (Gilla Band) the tracks are sonically heavy to complement the lyricism, driven by distorted riffs, vibrant layers of punchy vocals and instrumentation played fast and hard. Their sound blends elements and intensity found in classic punk with frontman Tom Gilbert’s theatrical vocal delivery, positioning them as an exciting band to keep an eye on as they continue to push into stranger, more bizarre realms.
Gelatinous Man sees The Oozes’ first collaboration, with Bristol-based artist Grove featuring on Piggies in Blankets, an overtly political commentary on propaganda, brutality and corruption within the Met Police. Cuppa T pokes fun at misogynistic superiors, featuring a 45 second intro, guest Anna Kunz soloing on trumpet. It explores the experience of misogyny through a trans-masculine lens. The final track, Just Wait closes the EP with a desperate cry for help from crumbling NHS mental health services, bringing attention to medical neglect and preventable suicides due to waiting lists, exasperated by government negligence and lack of action to support the country’s most vulnerable.
The Oozes kicked off 2024 with three intimate headline shows in Bristol, Cambridge and Margate, on behalf of Independent Venue Week. They thensaw in the summer with a raucous performance at 2000 Trees Festival and earlier this week, the two-piece headlined a sold out Brixton’s Windmill.