UK punk duo, Killdren were due to perform on 28th June as part of the 2019 line-up for the Shangri-La area of Glastonbury Festival. However, the band found themselves in hot water after their track ‘Kill Tory Scum (Before They Kill You)’ was met with accusations of incitement to violence, as it featured lyrics that called for “Tory genocide.” In response to the backlash, Glastonbury announced earlier this month they would be removing the two artists from the line-up. “We in no way condone violence and will not allow this matter to overshadow the incredibly inclusive spirit of Glastonbury, and as a result, we have taken the decision to withdraw the booking of this band.” Shangri-La’s organisers wrote in a statement.
In a recent interview with NME, one-half of the band, Efa Supertramp maintained that the song had been “largely misrepresented in the right-wing press, completely failing to highlight the satirical nature of the piece and the underlying message” insisting herself and bandmate Nick Ronin were adverse to violence. She stated: “We’re not violent people. We’re just cheeky little activists prodding the establishment with ridiculous over-the-top statements which people seemed to have taken too seriously and literally.”
Now in an attempt to erase any confusion over their stance on Tories and all things violent in nature, the band have released a new song and accompanying video entitled ‘Tickle Tory Chums (Before They Tickle You)’ – a parody of the track that prompted the furore against the duo.
The tongue-in-cheek tune was released alongside an equally playful statement from the band:
“Bruce Manhood, manager of Killdren, was deeply regretful that last week’s media s**t-storm brought his clients such negative PR – following Glastonbury’s decision to drop the band from their otherwise peaceful line-up because of ‘violent’ lyrics. Bruce’s top-drawer management and business acumen meant Killdren now had instructions to remedy the dire situation via the medium of song.
“Manhood instructed his artists to come up with a less violent version of the song, to try and redeem their now-tainted name; and so the two-bit rave punk band are releasing a further satirical song to counterbalance their original satirical work ‘Kill Tory Scum (Before They Kill You)’ that caused all the hoo-haa. We thus present to you: ‘Bruce Manhood presents: Killdren presents ‘Tickle Tory Chums (Before They Tickle You)’.
“Before the unveiling of this new revision, of what was already a two-year-old video travesty resurrected from the annals of the YouTubes, Killdren have also succumbed to suggestions from their more right-of-centre fans from the Interwebs – who helpfully suggested some alternative versions that could offend and potentially alienate a whole new fanbase.
“On this point – never let it be said that Killdren don’t want to be offensive to absolutely everyone – regardless of race, colour or creed. It’s just that the busy throng of Tumbridge Wells, and oodles of trust-fund cash-money, keeps the band extremely busy – and basically some people deserve getting more s**t, OK?“
