COUNTDOWN TO MPF: BRATAKUS INTERVIEW
Bratakus are two sisters from the north of Scotland who make one hell of a noise. Bringing us politically charged riot grrrl rock ‘n’ roll from the Highlands, we’re excited to welcome them to Manchester Punk Fest in 2023.
Bratakus are just one part of this year’s Scottish invasion of MPF – there’s a horde of bands crossing the border, including Kaddish, ALLDEEPENDS and the reformed Joey Terrifying. Bratakus are fiery and righteous with zero messing around – an electrifying treat for any punk rock fan.
We spoke to guitarist/vocalist Brèagha Cuinn to ask some terribly important questions.
How would you introduce yourselves to a punk fan who’s not heard of you yet?
Someone once referred to us as ‘Strawberry Switchblade‘s evil cousins’ and I always thought that was funny. Don’t know why we’ve never got ‘The Proclaimers of Punk’ before though.
Which of your songs/releases are you most proud of, and why?
I’m definitely most proud of the album we’re currently recording, cause it’s actually good.
Tell us a secret about your band.
Contrary to what our songs may suggest, we actually do like love songs.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
For both of us, it was to see our friend’s band Dubinski play in the local pub with two of our pals when we were really young kids. We all went dressed as School of Rock characters (apart from Onnagh who insisted on dressing as a cat) and one of our friends ended up on the floor spinning around like Angus Young. Wild times.
My first gig in a big venue was to see Juliette Lewis’s rock ‘n’ roll band Juliette & The Licks. I was only 10, so I had to sit on my Dad’s shoulders the whole time so I could see. They were incredible. I met her a couple of years later and she told me to ‘fight the good fight’. I’m trying!
What have you got in your pockets right now?
A guitar pick and a Bratakus badge. (I always keep some handy to give out to unenlightened people that somehow have not yet heard of us.)
If you were a biscuit, what would you be and why?
I outsourced this question and apparently I would be an empire biscuit because ‘they look fancy and old biddies love them’. Onnagh would be a ginger snap cause they ‘just have her vibe’. So there you go.
Who’s your favourite Dave?
Davey Stott.
Red or blue?
Red.
Oasis or Blur?
Neither, but I’ll choose Blur cause I like Gorillaz.
Too much ska or too little ska?
Far too much.
Help us settle the age-old bread debate. What do you call a roll / cob / bap / barm / batch / muffin / other (specify)?
Roll.
Finally, which bands are you most excited to see at MPF2023?
Fit to Work, Petrol Girls and Shooting Daggers.
Buy MPF2023 tickets HERE.