The Menstrual Cramps Reveal 'Class War' Video Ahead of UK Tour Dates

Bristol-based punk band The Menstrual Cramps have revealed a video for their single ‘Class War’ which is out now on Alcopop! Records.

The new visuals come ahead of the band’s October 2024 UK tour dates with cosmic punks WACO, with tickets on sale now (see below for listings).

A rousing call to action, ‘Class War’ is about the importance of joining a union and holding your workplace and peers to account. “Workers rights are being taken away from us at an alarming rate, and the best way to combat this is with collective bargaining and activism,” says vocalist Emilia Elfrida. “It also comments on unions largely being controlled by old white men, and the push needed to move away from this. Women's rights are workers rights. Always support strikers, and never cross a picket line!”

Commenting on the video, Elfrida adds: “We took inspiration for this music video from our local community and daily life in Bristol, as well as the city's political and historical significance. In the 1980s, there was an anarchist organisation called Class War that released a newspaper of the same name in Bristol and London. In the early 2000s, the founder of Class War, Ian Bone, then started the newspaper The Bristolian, which is still going strong today under a different anonymous collective.”

“We strongly believe in our community and in highlighting Bristol's DIY, anarchist culture. Our drummer’s fiancée, Cheri Clouds, shot the music video for us. She’s a self-taught photographer and filmmaker inspired by city life, graffiti, lights, street style, skateboarding, stickers, Bristol, and New York City. The music video was then edited by our drummer, AJ Murdoch. This release is also special as it marks the last with our guitarist Zam, who has recently departed The Menstrual Cramps to focus on his mental health and well-being.”

“The message in this music video is to look after each other, lift each other up, engage in collective action, and learn from your community and history.”

A DIY queer punk band from Bristol, UK formed in 2017, The Menstrual Cramps are known for their feminist, anti-fascist, and pro-choice stance. Their music is loud, raw, and unapologetically queer, making a powerful statement that is shaking up an often stale punk scene.

The band signed to Alcopop! Records in 2023 and took 2024 by storm with their EP titled ACAB. Having recently played Manchester Punk Festival, Bearded Theory, Bristol Pride, 2000 Trees, Truck Festival, Boomtown, and Shambala Festival, they still aren't here to take any sh*t!

Never ones to shy away from shining a spotlight on political issues through their music, The Menstrual Cramps proved that they also take their real-world activism deadly seriously when they made international headlines earlier this year with their Bands Boycott Barclays campaign, targeting the Barclaycard sponsorship of The Great Escape Festival over ties to arms companies supplying Israel. This action directly resulted in The Great Escape ending their partnership with Barclays—a huge win for the BDS movement.

Over 150 artists pulled out of the festival in solidarity, with international press coverage from the BBC, The Guardian, Rolling Stone UK, NME, Mixmag, The Face, Huck Magazine, DIY, DAZED, STEREOGUM and many more, alongside public solidarity from notable names including Brian Eno, Massive Attack, and Jeremy Corbyn.

The Menstrual Cramps Live Dates:

• 24th October - Moor Beer Brewery, Bristol (w/ WACO)
• 25th October - Moor Beer Vaults, London (w/ WACO)
• 26th October - Retro Bar, Manchester (w/ WACO)
• 27th October - Sidney and Matilda, Sheffield (w/ WACO)

Tickets on sale now: https://www.themenstrualcramps.com/tour