What is it that threads a path between Opus Kink, Adult DVD, Westside Cowboy, Getdown Services, Fujiya and Miyagi, Chemical Brothers, The Fall, Mekons, Big Special, and Sprints?
Oh… and I should add Kid Kapichi, GANS and SNAYX to that list from my own human perspective.
Well according to the Spotify AI ‘song radio’ feature it’s the five-track EP from Lemonsuckr, ‘Life is a Heist’. A banging behemoth of record that hit the playlists with a juddering crash a few days ago. My vinyl copy is (hopefully) in the post.
And why am I publishing this on a festival website? Well as a seasoned festival booker and promoter I can tell you guys this is then band that will leave them wanting more.
RUGRAT – STAIN – HOUSE ON FIRE – GRANDADDY – LIFE IS A HEIST
When and why should you be listening to Lemonsuckr?
1: You are angry with the world and want someone to be equally angry alongside.
2: You are happy with the world and want to share the joy
3: You are just out to upset the neighbours and your stereo has the honk to do it
I first came across this outfit back in April 2025 at The Piper in Hastings. It was a club night run by local band Big Reference at a regular session called called Club Klang!!! – and although I always make a point of being in early doors for unknown support acts I happened to have volunteered to do the lights that night, so I was sort of obliged.
(pix by Sara-Louise Bowrey)
As obligations go it turned out to be a real no-brainer, and it was an immediate hats off to the Big Reference guys for having snagged such an immediately visceral young band.
On average I’d say that over the past five or so years I’ve only hooked onto a handful of new wannabes each year who have become my ones to watch.
In no particular order I’d say a few of the standout names are HotWax, Vlure, Yard Act, Welly, The Lottery Winners, Nova Twins, Squid, oh… and of course the mighty Getdown Services.
If this puts you inside my taste-bubble then you’ll see where I’m coming from.
Forged (allegedly) in the claustrophobic acoustics of a rusty old metal shipping container, Brighton’s Lemonsuckr are exactly the kind of unapologetic alt-punk adrenaline shot the south coast music scene (and my aging bones) thrive on.
Fronted by the kinetic fizz of Guy Ferris on vocals—armed with an essential mix of tambourine and cowbell—the band delivers the sort of raw, visceral sound that AI-penned reviews get really overexcited about.
Guitarists Oscar and Ollie trade off blows on stage with viciously serrated riffs and blasting backing vocals, and are anchored by Matt’s relentless, Le Mans worthy driving percussion.
Live and loud, it’s a beautifully abrasive sonic cocktail, often rounded out on stage by bassist Jake Andrews to add heavy low-end sonics to the mix.
Lemonsuckr don’t just play the music; they sweat it out from their pores and shove it down your eyeball sockets.
Capturing the genuine, unvarnished spirit of grassroots punk, they kick out any ideas of over-polished production for something far more dangerous and immediate.
With this new EP, Lemonsuckr prove cataclysmically that the best noise often comes from the most unconventional spaces.
Here is a band ready to completely blow the doors off not only the local circuit, but the UK grassroots network and the festival world.
