The Puncturists: I’m Not Alright
CD/Download/Streaming
Out Now
Yorkshire-based quartet, The Puncturists, deliver their debut album, I’m Not Alright, on their own label.
I can’t remember how or when I first heard The Puncturists, but I instantly liked the rawish live sound of their recordings despite the female-fronted 4 piece band rehearsing in Barnsley, but with members who live in Goole and Grimsby (all on the wrong side of the Pennines) The melodic garage punk band consisting of Gail Townsend (vocals), Pat Crawford (guitar), Dale Farrow (bass) and Martin Gregory (drums).
It’s taken a few years to get to where the band are now. Initially formed in 2022 by Pat Crawford and his former System Of Hate bandmate, drummer Carl Gulliford, the band has been through a couple of changes. Front woman Townsend, for example, initially joined to provide backing vocals before being promoted to her current position, just 18 months ago, after the aforementioned Gulliford, who had been providing vocals, decided to move on. There have been other changes along the way, but the settled line-up spent time at Chantry Brewery and Orion Studios in Rotherham between February and October 2025, recording and mixing I’m Not Alright with sound engineer and producer Steve Ellis.
What I really like about the album, and the band, is that there are no pretensions, as a slightly older band – wearing their years on their sleeves with pride. Take recent single 55 for example, the song tells the story of Gail’s singing career, only starting within the last couple of years, with some questioning why she was bothering and asking if she was too old. Some critics suggested she was too old and should be at home knitting… Whilst Sally Wainwright’s excellent drama, Riot Women, revolves around five menopausal women who form a band, The Puncturists have their very own Riot Gail!
Many of the songs speak the band’s truth and shine a light on the society in which we all find ourselves living. There is no sugar coating, and the titles give hints into their world, the opening Pissing Me Off making things clear from the off, while Everybody’s On Drugs looks at different characters, those who are taking stimulants recreationally and those who rely on their prescriptions to get through the day, reminding us that people are on things for different reasons. Mental Health is also the theme for the epic 6-minute closing title track; I’m Not Alright presented as an individual’s fight with alcohol.
Elsewhere, we have the short blast of Give Blood, which at 1:21 is the shortest track on the album and the simplest lyrics, providing a very direct message and Theme From Commit Nuisance which sounds like the opening to an early 1990s police drama.
I’m Not Alright is a great album which has some light moments, but it’s also one to turn up loud and rattle the walls with when you want to let off some steam, safe in the knowledge you won’t be the only one feeling the way you do.
The Puncturists final gig of the year will be at Sidney & Matilda in Sheffield on 23rd November
Find the band via their website
Photo supplied by The Puncturists
All words by Iain Key. See his author profile here or find him via his LinkTree
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