Hands Off Gretel, founded by nineteen-year-old Lauren Tate are a force to be reckoned with. Inspired by the likes of Brody Dalle and Courtney Love, Lauren made it her mission to ensure strong, young women had a voice in today’s music industry, presenting an alternative to mainstream pop stars singing about broken hearts. Lauren is a powerhouse of creativity; the band’s frontwoman and songwriter, she also designs Hands Off Gretel’s merchandise and is responsible for their videos, album artwork, and photography.
In just over twelve months, Hands Off Gretel have well and truly made their mark on the UK music scene winning fans in Shirley Manson, Linda Perry and Kate Nash. The band are making an impact on the US too – Alternative Press tipped them as “A band you need to know” and premiered their latest DIY video ‘One Eyed Girl’. The track also picked up regular UK airplay from Kerrang Radio and BBC Sheffield Introducing and the video single reached six thousand views in just one week.
The four piece alt rock/grunge inspired band from South Yorkshire are incredibly prolific, they have already released a three track EP, a couple of video singles and their debut album is out in September, funded via their huge and ever increasing their international online fan base.
Having already made their mark on the festival circuit playing Camden Rocks and the Isle of Wight, Hands Off Gretel will be supporting their album release with a full UK tour planned for Autumn.
@handsoffgretel [rotatingtweets screen_name=’handsoffgretel’]
UK Live Dates:
- 6th August – Rebellion Festival Blackpool
- 7th August – Kaya Festival South Wales
- 13th August – Krazyhouse Liverpool
- 3rd Sept – Corporation Sheffield
- 15th Sept -The Black Heart Camden (contact for guest list entry)
- 16th Sept –Album Launch (North) – Barnsley Rock & Blues Club
- 22nd Sept – Lady Luck Canterbury
- 6th Oct – Adelphi Hull
- 13th Oct –Trillians Newcastle
- 27th Oct – Fulford Arms York
- 28th Oct – Soundhouse Leicester
- 11th Nov – Mulberry Tavern Sheffield
- 12th Nov – Lincoln Imp Scunthorpe (support)
Quick Facts:
- Hands Off Gretel formed 2015
- The band beat off competition from three thousand others to play Camden Rocks festival in 2015, also winning a place at Isle of Wight Festival 2016 through the Live & Unsigned competition
- Three track EP ‘Be Mine’ was released as a free download to mark the band’s launch
- ‘My Size’ released January 2016, was played on BBC Intro Sheffield, Team Rock, Radio, Amazing Radio
- 2016 gig highlights include Whitby Goth Weekend and Rebellion Punk Festival, Isle of Wight Festibal and Camden Rocks
- The band were featured by US Alternatives press as “A band you need to know about”
- Kate Nash after seeing them live in London wrote on facebook “Hands Off Gretel are my new favourite everything”
- Garbage recently introduced Hands Off Gretel to the world on their social media.. calling lead sing Lauren Tate “A superstar”
“I’ve been watching Lauren Tate evolve over the years and I have to say, I like where this band is going.”
Linda Perry“Hands Off Gretel are my new favourite everything!”
Kate Nash“Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you Hands Off Gretel. Ms Lauren Tate is a SUPERSTAR. Got to give my favourite Skating Polly girls a shout out here for the discovery.”
Shirley Manson, Garbage“Hands Off Gretel are a modern riot grunge band, bringing back grrrl power, channeling Courtney Love’s attitude, Brody Dalle’s grit and Amanda Palmer’s lyrical perversity. Their neon video for “My Size” will throw you straight back into the Lisa Frank painted ’90s.”
Cassie Whitt, Alternative Press“Despite her diminutive stature, Tate boasted a voice guttural and heavy hitting enough to match Brody Dalle or Courtney Love at their most vicious.”
Blue Corner Stone Camden Rocks Festival Review“Hands Off Gretel is the raucous lovechild of Lauren Tate; a seriously talented woman in spearheading the absolute cutting edge in female rebellion with a fantastic attitude, and, perhaps even more strikingly, an utterly likeable demeanour. She’s sheer passion – sheer, unadulterated and unrestricted passion; built up from a very real love of music and a very real love of the audience.”
Cat on The Wall Music & Culture Webzine
LINKS:
http://www.handsoffgretel.co.uk
http://www.facebook.com/handsoffgretel
http://www.twitter.com/handsoffgretel
http://www.instagram.com/handsoffgretel
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJz2vGY4xWeE8im90L7ryAQ
Pre-order Link:
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/burn-the-beauty-queen/id1134623381?ls=1&app=itunes
