Formed in a broken bedroom in Bristol on the verge of homelessness, and rife with anger, The Menstrual Cramps were born with politics on the brain and surrounded by injustice. Jumping ship to a dive in London to record their 2017 debut album We’re Not Ovaryacting on distorted acoustic guitars, they called on the world to ‘Save the Badgers’ and ‘Cull the Tories’.
Their debut music video for ‘My Bush Ain’t Ur Business’ was subsequently removed from YouTube after some trolls who didn’t want people to reclaim their own breasts or bodies reared their ugly heads, and they won the 2017 LOUD WOMEN Hercury Prize alternative to the Mercury Prize.
By the summer of 2019 they were back with a new album, Free Bleedin’, which featured revolution-demanding song ‘The Smash’, the powerful ‘No Means No’ highlighting problematic rape culture, ‘Idols’ which approaches the art world’s problem with abusers, and 'I Like That Top'—a catchy and comedic take on hipsters and gentrification taking over Bristol, which was also featured in the BIFA Award-winning film Sweetheart (2021). The record was named in Louder Than War’s Albums of The Year 2018 and also the LOUD WOMEN People’s Vote Readers’ Choice Award 2018.
The Menstrual Cramps closed out 2023 on a high with a run of dates supporting fast-rising Isle of Wight punk trio Grade 2 (Hellcat Records) alongside appearances at Femrock 10th Anniversary, Nice As Pie Festival 2023, Rock Against Violence 2023, and more.
Now, staring down the barrel of a crucial 2024 for the band, The Menstrual Cramps are back to reveal more new material, and they still aren’t here to take your sh*t.