10 days since we kicked off our second conjuring fest.. And a week since it concluded..
A mega list of top bands gathered and great to play plan and put my neck on the line.
The troubles at the time seem mammoth. But after.. and its when all rolling they blend into insignificance! Its been called a family thats gathering.. We like to think so..
Hats off to Pealies barn who pulled it all together with their amazing staff… And the folk who came and enjoyed the vibe..
we now focus on Dirt Tour stuff. On the Road for 10 days taking in 5 gigs in Portsmouth – Newport – Leicester – Wolveehampton and Stoke.
The Merch emporium is Brimming bulging and ready to squeeze into all corners of the camper. Beanies hoodiea mugs T shirts CDs books and records.. even candles!!..
not at a gig? head to our Bandcamp at The Dirt71
Its all only 6 weeks until our Manchester gig at Night n Day which should beva belter too!..
so with a packed stint on the road. more in september and a bunch in october.. Best take a peek at gig listings on socials!!..
I (Leon) / we (the Dirt) are so chuffed with the albums response. And the live gigs so far.. Wireless action is now as far as Australia.. Ta to Banks Radio. The reviews have been mega too.
we have done 3 album gigs so far. we have 22 to go. Next up is our own festival – The conjuring at Pealiea Barn near Northallerton N Yorks. after that we have a couple of NW – Preston and Lancaster.
then we head on the road for 5 gigs in 2 weekends – Portsmouth – Newport – Leicester – Wolverhampton – Stoke… Busy!!..
Leon?.. still writing.. not gigging.. resting!!.. its The Dirts day.. and year!.
we would continue to like to thank everyone who has watched us.. bought merch .. a record and shared our sound..
This we .. my head is in fest plotting.
after this weekend its none stop for 3 months..
love to see folk at future gigs..
Manchester celebration gig. 2 months and counting!!
yes.. first up.. thank you.. all the new monkeypunch T Shiet merch buyers.. New album purchaers.. and folk just finding us and enjoying our sonic space rock psych punk vibe.
2/25 uk gigs done. Sowerby bridge puzzle hall (Great Gaf!) and Waterfront Fest Nottingham.. great to hang out with friends and new folk at both!!..
now to regroup.. do as the old therapist said.. relax.. reflect.. enjoy.
next up..Rebellion Fringe on Friday.. 10pm at Alt.3 bar.. and then at Pennylane weekender in Liverpool…
after that.. its our own fest The conjuring in N Yorks… Pealies Barn.. 3 day bonanza of top alt vibes..
lots to go at.. so we will post a couple of gig pics then share the future gig love..
still after the album orva new Dirt T design.. come natter…
lots of radio action going on too. 2 x shows this eve.. and i did a pidcast from L.A lst night called in the pit with Britt..
we continue to drive this sonic punk message and loving the socials post of folk exploring the album..
Monkeypunch is now reaching houses and spinning on record players and CD players uk wide… Monkeypunch is go!!.. Preorders are all dispatched and landing at the feet of folk who joined this new path early.. T shirts are covering backs and the message is reaching minds loud and fast. so Thank you… official release date is 01.08.25.
yes yes i have commented its Yorkshire day.. and yep we do play Puzzle Hall Community Pub in Sowerby bridge Yorks on its official launch.. its a slight hat tip…
But lets send a wider.. bigger message. please remember 01.08.
First.. Monkeypunch?.. what does it mean.. weve been asked… Sometimes in mystique lies the beauty..
Initially Monkeypunch as a name resonnated with us as it has japanese connections and carries cult manga pioneering artistry connections. Google Lupin iii ..
Monkeypunch in its lyrical form though Is a message to the masses, its suggesting where oppressive regimes – war mongering and grotesque over zellous capitalism is taking us.
On this current path humans will destroy this planet.. Then evolution and mother earth will allocate a new custodian.. So.. Time for change – quick!!..
Monkeypunch sends a warning message with a heavy wake up thump for peace… Humanity and Ecology..
So as this album is released on 01.08.25 it also coincides with the 80th Anniversary of the last bombing of Sachiko home city in WW2. The most bombed Japanese city with pumpkin bombs and rehesrsal target for Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Sachiko mum fled 2 of them…
So the message is… have we learnt as Humans, have we evolved?? No one wins through war or killing innocent humans on whatever side of the fence you chose to play..
If we support any form of murderous narrative or justify goverments supporting it. Then we become complicit in the actions..
The Lyrics written as political poems now collide with sachiko ferocious guitar playing to send the message in waves..
In End game i shout. I wont sit still.. i wont lip seal.. i wont break hands of frienship.. lets dance.. thrive.. live.. and be free…
i stand by that….
so… on that note.. come join in this radical anarcho fuzz that is sold in post apocolyptic artistry as Sonic psych punk
Please check the pictures….
thanks to Sister 9 Recordings for supporting this release with us..
Wow. One month back and forgot to drop a blog!!.. whats happened!!.. i got silly busy.. Dirt gigs.. Dirt test press listening.. Dirt gig bookings.. Dirt bio writing.. Dirt tour planning.. Dirt single releases.. Dirt merch sorting..Dirt label liaising.. Dirt gig driving.. and two Leon gigs
So its heading all The Dirt these days. Loving it. And thats the way for the next year too. 35 gigs plotted for 2025 and 10 so far for 2026..
Monkeypunch wont sell itself. Mind you its sounding mega and might do. But we are sleeve rolling and having a mad year hitting all corners of the uk. HIT SOCIALS FOR DATES!!..
So with that in mind im attaching some links of recent giddy stuff.. album review – band expo – album presales and the next batch of gigs.
Maybe i should also mentiin we support Neds Atomic Dustbin in 2 weeks. Yes im shaking like a 5H1tt1n9 dog!!…with excitement…
Thats it.. 7 weeks away in S. Korea and Japan. Now back in uk. Ready to hit the ground running..
We did have a holiday. But behind the scene there was The Dirt work and conjuring fest stuff to juggle.
More gigs accepted.. a larger reach for when the album lands. And a packed summer of festivals and events!!..
We are buzzing.
First job on first day back.. unpack??.. no no.. it was pick up and listen to the Test press of new Album Monkeypunch. And chat to sleeve designer about CD production.
We start practice now. As we have our first gig in a week. Support to japanese freakout psychsters – Acid Mothers Temple. Night and Day in Manchester on 07.05…
Ive then got a couple of leon bits before our own gig at manchester peerhat.
A busy bounce back for May.
June – October is no less busy.
We have ordered the Vinyl for pressing.
Now its time to cause some Fuzz…
Check the gig listings socials and posters for where we are at!
Having had 6 days in Seoul S korea first to wind down from what was a hectic 8 months. Gigs and album recording.
We finished with a mega gig in Coventry with black Doldrums. At the Tin with cracking fella Joe Colombi of sink or swim.
The work continues.
Getting the first single to the wireless!!. CHAOS has already had an airing via zac peach show and is scheduled on more digital stations. Rumour has it 6 music might even be letting it loose!..
Also getting the attention of the music media. Grab the thoughts of those whos lugs we want to itch!. Then shout about Monkeypunch..
Get the love spreading..
Lastly some new fest plotters and promoters have got the preview.
Means we will be pitching up in new towns later this year. Lots booked in. A busy summer and autumn is on the cards.
Monkeypunch is currently a caged beast and ready to let loose!!..
Wirh new T shirt design too. Thats with printers getting mock ups made!!..
So while we now kick back in japan for a few weeks.. heres some Dirt diary dates.
18.04 – single CHAOS is released via sister 9 recordings..
07.05 – A mega support slot gig – To announce soon.
16.05 – Manchester gig – peerhat with Avid fan /// cherry fuzz club
23.05 – gig at strummer room revords fest – Banbury.
23.05 – single release – Demon Seed vis sister 9 records
01.06 – “Alice wicked Tea Party festival” – wareham nr Bournmouth.
05.06 – Brighton gig at Daltins with Shaws trailor park.
06.06 – London gig at Rooz studios with voodoo Rays /// cult of free love
Now thats a busy first month once we get back to showcase monkeypunch tracks!!
The chillzone is ready.. the kickback on ice ready to sip savour and embrace. Japan awaits for a lwngthy trip and wevare taking 2 months off..
2025 so far has been a rollercoaster.. its The DIY way.
Rockaway beach gave us a great platform and weve chatted to many folk since. About gigs.. playing peoples towns and cities. Mega!. Stuff even penned for 2026 already.
Weve joined forces with Sister 9 recordings on the Vinyl release of “Monkeypunch”. This is ace news to join an independent label our sonic psych punk suits.
Prep between gogs and in- sessions has been key.
Artwork – all sorted
3 x digital singles planned to release over next 5 months.
Bio- press info all the background material ready to send.
Weve just this week made the video for the first single release “Chaos”. Expect me dancing in masks…
The machine is serviced and oiled ready to kick in!..
We played Halifax last week.. cracking place is Grayston unity!
So.. We have one event left- The Tin in Coventry supporting Black Doldrums. Thanks to sink orvswim promo.
We dont gig then until May when we have Manchester planned.. The Peerhat 16th is all booked and tickets selling. Looking forward to that.
Leon has a couple of bits in May. But the Dirt priority this year.. and we are booked up now until 2026 with the exeption of a couple of dates offered to promo folk yet to nail down.
Anyway. This is the last natter before we fly east.. expect news of a music release next!!.
The online shop shuts in a week too. So come grab a piece of merch before head off!.
So… “Monkeypunch” is the title of our new The Dirt album. Test listens done!
We have the mixes and masterings back from Jason Shaw of Fuzz Face studios.
The Album art is complete.
It is ready for vinyl record ordering!!..
Released date pencilled for early August.
We have some label interest.. news on that soon. We want this sonic psych punk to fly far and wide!
There will be a presale.. And there will be a few singles released as tasters. Seen us live?. Some will be familiar.
We have two gigs left before we break for our regular Japan trips.
We then hit the ground running again in May. Kicking off with manchester.
Until then we have Halifax on 21.02 and Coventry on 07.03.
YANA fest in Stockport has been postponed.
As for Leon?.. hes taking a back seat live this year. Still doing workshops – creative meets. But the stage ramblings are giving way to lyrical writing.
I am popping up at some places but few and far between.
So. Albums set. News soon. Until then live dates to bounce at.
We have new merch at bandcamp too – hoodies!
Come see what the fuzz is about.
Herea some recent gig pics (richie yates) and posters
Leon The Pig Farmer - Website by Steve Reilly 