After independently releasing two EPs, MATTER and CARE, within the past year, the incendiary punk four-piece THE NONE are set to unleash their ferocious new 7″ single. Limited to a hand-numbered edition of 250 vinyl copies, the release features the potent lead track ‘At Hope’ alongside the B-side ‘In Civic Pride,’ arriving on June 20th via ZENNOR Records.
“To make a living, you’ve got to give in,” vocalist Kai Whyte snarls on the blistering ‘At Hope.’ This razor-sharp slice of social critique possesses the raw energy of early Touch and Go or Dischord releases, yet its sentiment feels distinctly forward-thinking. This potent combination transcends mere homage to their musical forebears, drawing its urgency and relevance from the contemporary cultural landscape.
Of the track, and the origins of its name, the band state,
When naming the song, we were discussing various terms related to poverty. In particular, the ridiculous policy-speak used to sanitise and defang the issue. ‘Economic deprivation’, ‘underprivileged’, ‘economically disadvantaged’ etc., Gordon came across an article about a US senator who wanted to replace the term ‘at risk’ – used to describe poor children – with ‘at hope’. This perfectly encapsulates a toxic neoliberal attitude that centres the problems of poverty on the people experiencing it. The idea that all these kids need is a bit of positivity to be rich and happy is at best delusional and patronising, and at worst incredibly harmful.
The accompanying video for ‘At Hope,’ directed by Tim Mobbs and filmed in Birmingham, offers a stark visual commentary on the city’s current struggles with the council, highlighting the ongoing battle between the working class and those in power.
Following their debut performances in February 2024, THE NONE have swiftly cemented their reputation as a potent live act, securing support slots with formidable bands such as Mannequin Pussy, Les Savy Fav, Metz, and The Jesus Lizard. Kicking off a busy period at The Great Escape Festival, where they are slated to ignite the BBC 6 Music Stage at the Paganini Ballroom at 20:15 today. The band are now gearing up for a summer packed with festival appearances, followed by further tour dates later in the year, promising an intense and unmissable live experience for new and existing fans alike.
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