Bristol Punk Rock ‘n Rollers Split Dogs hit back with new single ‘Precious Stones’ out now via Venn Records
6th November 2024Rock’n’roll revivalists Split Dogs are doing things the old way and the best way. This is not a band content to sit behind laptop screens, fifteen-second viral videos, or digital marketing campaigns to spread their noise. No, Split Dogs are true road warriors, almost physically incapable of turning down a gig, they’ve spent the last few months playing every conceivable stage, space, and venue to spread the word as they approach the release of their second album ‘Here To Destroy’, due for release February 28th via Venn Records.
And it’s working. The reputation for their own firebrand of frenzied, high-voltage rock ‘n’ roll is spreading fast and wide throughout the punk rock community and beyond and Split Dogs gigs are fast becoming eagerly anticipated events.
Today, the band follows previous singles ‘And What?’ and ‘Monster Truck’ with a brand new two-minute killer titled ‘Precious Stones.’
“The song shines a spotlight on the people that imply false authority in society based on their job title or financial position,” explains guitarist Mil Martinez. “From the obvious traffic wardens all the way up to entitled yoga instructors, nothing burns worse than being falsely reprimanded by another adult so they can attempt to assume dominance over you.”
Musically ‘Precious Stones’ drives along at a storming rate, building in power as it progresses, with singer Harry Atkins the architect of the intensity. The accompanying video conveys just that. Focused solely on Harry’s face, it’s an unflinching, uncompromising experience.
“The precious stones video was all about intensity, and hard intent,” continues Mil. “There’s no escape, feeling like it’s just you in the room and Harry has you cornered. Relentlessly demanding that you answer the question ‘why does it burn?’Born from the frustration of seeing music become commodified and soulless, vocalist Harry Atkins and guitarist Mil Martinez had the idea to form a band as far back as 2015, with the name ‘Split Dogs’ pulled from the classic zombie film ‘Return of the Living Dead’.
In South London, a young Martinez would hear Status Quo, Bachman Turner Overdrive and Dire Straits on the car radio while his father drove him to school. At home, he would invade his older brothers’ record collection which leaned towards the harder sounds of punk and heavy metal. Meanwhile, in the Black Country, Harry’s mother instilled a love of Northern Soul, Slade, and rock’n’roll, with stories of nights out at Club Lafayette and family singalongs at home. According to Martinez, “Our sound is a culmination of all those early influences and, to be honest, it really shows.”
It wasn’t until 2022 that Split Dogs officially arrived on the scene with bass player Suez Boyle joining the band in 2023. Already a prominent figure in the queer punk scene, Suez played the first-ever Rebellion Festival at the tender age of 16 with her band The Walking Abortions. Up until that point, drummer Chris Hugall, an old friend of Martinez and former member of ska punks Mouthwash (signed to Rancid’s label Hellcat back in the day), was only on hand to help design artwork. It wasn’t until 2024 Hugall joined the band full-time cementing the current line-up.
The raucous live shows and infectious lyrics saw the four-piece make a name for themselves among the punks of Bristol, a scene that has always welcomed LGBTQ+ and marginalized people. As word spread, so did the gigging, and soon enough Split Dogs were playing to sold-out rooms in mainland Europe, eventually grabbing the attention of UK label Venn Records (Gallows, Bob Vylan, High Vis).
‘Here to Destroy’ was recorded over three days at Middle Farm Studios by producer Peter Miles. All tracks were laid straight to a 16-track reel-to-reel tape machine, with no autotune, no effects pedals, and no computers. To add to the music’s authenticity, the album was recorded live, with Harry singing along in a vocal booth. No cutting and pasting, just nailing takes. According to Martinez, “It was a blast! We fully immersed ourselves, sleeping in a small apartment below the studio, cooking meals, and listening to Pete’s extensive record collection”.
As the album title makes clear, Split Dogs are here to destroy, but they’re also here to rebuild and remind us of music’s essence. “We’re not beholden to the digital age, we don’t want to get famous on social media, we just want to show the world that rock’n’roll is alive and well”.
Split Dogs are:
Harry Atkins – vocals (they/them)
Mil Martinez – guitar (he/him)
Chris Hugall – drums (he/him)
Suez Boyle – bass (she/her)
Catch Split Dogs live at the following dates:
05/11 Exchange Bristol w/Zeke
06/11 Water Rats, London w/Desperate Measures
16/11 Phoenix, Exeter w/Sham 69
6/12 Railway inn, Redditch
7/12 Workman’s Cellar, Dublin
20/12 King Arther, Glastonbury
21/12 Cavern, Exeter w/GBH
29/12 Electric Bar, Bath
2025
11/01 100 Club, w/GBH
12/01 Con Club, Lewes w/Subhumans
26/02 The Hug and Pint, Glasgow
27/02 Gullivers, Manchester
28/02 Billy Bootleggers, Nottingham
01/03 The Grace, London
02/03 Daltons, Brighton
07/03 Rough Trade, Bristol
18/03 Supersonic, Paris
20/03 Café Central, Bruxelles
21/03 La Zone, Liége
22/03 Café The Jack, Eindhoven
23/03 Poppodium Volt, Sittard
9-12/07 2000 Trees Festival
