Rising Isle of Wight streetpunks Grade 2 have released a video for a new song, Brassic, on Hellcat Records.
It’s the latest tantalising taste of new material from the trio, following the release last month of Doing Time, which was their first new song in almost two years.
Brassic is all about being short of cash – something many people will identify with as the cost of living soars in the UK and around the world.
“Brassic. Skint. Broke. On the bones of your arse,” explain Grade 2. “The feeling too many of us feel day in day out. When you’re put on house arrest by your own bank balance, you have nothing to do but watch the world move while you stand still.”
Grade 2 are childhood friends Sid Ryan (vocals, bass), Jacob Hull (drums) and Jack Chatfield (guitar, vocals) who, united by a love of old-school punk, ska and oi, formed the band at 14, honing their craft playing Clash and Jam covers before refining their own sound and songs.
A European tour supporting Stomper 98 brought admiration and friendship from Rancid’s Lars Frederiksen, leading to introductions and the eventual signing to his bandmate Tim Armstrong’s legendary punk label Hellcat in 2018.
Melding the near-mythical musical heritage of their native Isle of Wight with the humdrum reality of growing up in a tired seaside town, Grade 2 spit out blistering punk music laced with passion, angst, humour and despair.
By joining the likes of Dropkick Murphys, The Interrupters and Social Distortion on the road, they are building a growing reputation by playing their songs to enthusistic audiences around the world.
Their authenticity, thunderous live performances and exceptional musicianship have garnered praise across the hardcore punk fanbase, and with just three albums under their belt, the best is surely yet to come from Grade 2.
You can catch them live on a short UK tour in spring 2023, on the following dates:
March 7 – The Lexington, London
March 10 – Louisiana, Bristol
March 18 – Classic Grand, Glasgow
March 19 Star & Garter, Manchester
