Panic Shack

Musician — Cardiff

01Profile

A Panic Shack Photo

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
We’re Panic Shack and we’re all based in Cardiff, Wales! Sarah 'Hardbeats' Harvey is our lead vocalist, we have Meg 'Boss Dogg' Fretwell and Romi Lawrence (Romila Wrence) on guitars and backing vocals, Emily 'Smico' Smith on the Bass and David 'Bashman' Bassey on the drums.

Describe your style in three words?
No f*cks given.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
We all went to see Confidence Man together last year in Bristol, it was CLASS!

If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
We would probably want to join The Clash’s White Riot tour 1977, The Slits were there too! We love ‘em both! And we LOVE DEVO, they’re super weird... would love to have been on a line up with them.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
Punk for sure, We’ve all read Viv Albertine’s autobiography Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
M: I’d love to chat with David Byrne… what is going on inside his head like?
E: Amy Winehouse, Frank is one of my fave albums of all time.

Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
It’s gonna have to be Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff of course! We have fond memories of our third ever gig at Swn Festival there last year and we also had our headline gig there in February.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
M: Kathleen Hanna - she isn’t unsung to me but maybe some? Watching ‘The Punk Singer’ documentary low key changed my life.
E: Kim Deal - Coolest women in music in my opinion.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
M: 'Hole In The Head' by Sugababes… complete with dance routine.

A song that defines the teenage you?
E&R: 'Juicy' by The Notorious B.I.G.
S: 'Flowers' by Sweet Female Attitude.

One record you would keep forever?
'Cut' by The Slits - it’s a limited edition RSD release on purple vinyl. GAWJUS.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
"Given half the chance you’d walk around like a twat, just like we do."

From 'Just Like We Do' by Sleaford Mods.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Don’t You Want Me' by The Human League.

A song you wished you had written?
'Macarena' by Los Del Rio, the Bayside Boys Remix in particular… BANGER and we’d be minted.

Best song to turn up loud?
'212' by Azelia Banks.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Bellyache' by Billie Eilish.

Best song to end an all-nighter on?'
'Maps' by Yeah Yeah Yeahs… it’s just SO epic, go out with a big emotional bang.

Any new bands you are listening to right now?
'Texas Drums, Pt. I' by Pottery.
'Petty Thieving' by Feet.
'The Motor' by The Wants.
'Drab Measure' by Crack Cloud.

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
We’re Panic Shack and we’re all based in Cardiff, Wales! Sarah 'Hardbeats' Harvey is our lead vocalist, we have Meg 'Boss Dogg' Fretwell and Romi Lawrence (Romila Wrence) on guitars and backing vocals, Emily 'Smico' Smith on the Bass and David 'Bashman' Bassey on the drums.

Describe your style in three words?
No f*cks given.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
We all went to see Confidence Man together last year in Bristol, it was CLASS!

If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
We would probably want to join The Clash’s White Riot tour 1977, The Slits were there too! We love ‘em both! And we LOVE DEVO, they’re super weird... would love to have been on a line up with them.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
Punk for sure, We’ve all read Viv Albertine’s autobiography Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
M: I’d love to chat with David Byrne… what is going on inside his head like?
E: Amy Winehouse, Frank is one of my fave albums of all time.

Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
It’s gonna have to be Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff of course! We have fond memories of our third ever gig at Swn Festival there last year and we also had our headline gig there in February.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
M: Kathleen Hanna - she isn’t unsung to me but maybe some? Watching ‘The Punk Singer’ documentary low key changed my life.
E: Kim Deal - Coolest women in music in my opinion.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
M: 'Hole In The Head' by Sugababes… complete with dance routine.

A song that defines the teenage you?
E&R: 'Juicy' by The Notorious B.I.G.
S: 'Flowers' by Sweet Female Attitude.

One record you would keep forever?
'Cut' by The Slits - it’s a limited edition RSD release on purple vinyl. GAWJUS.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
"Given half the chance you’d walk around like a twat, just like we do."

From 'Just Like We Do' by Sleaford Mods.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Don’t You Want Me' by The Human League.

A song you wished you had written?
'Macarena' by Los Del Rio, the Bayside Boys Remix in particular… BANGER and we’d be minted.

Best song to turn up loud?
'212' by Azelia Banks.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Bellyache' by Billie Eilish.

Best song to end an all-nighter on?'
'Maps' by Yeah Yeah Yeahs… it’s just SO epic, go out with a big emotional bang.

Any new bands you are listening to right now?
'Texas Drums, Pt. I' by Pottery.
'Petty Thieving' by Feet.
'The Motor' by The Wants.
'Drab Measure' by Crack Cloud.