MILLIE MANDERS AND THE SHUTUP – Lucky 7

MILLIE MANDERS AND THE SHUTUP – Lucky 7
LUCKY 7 is the feature where we ask artists to name their 6 favourite songs by others, and a lucky 7th song of their own…

MILLIE MANDERS AND THE SHUTUP create cross-genre punk that’s increasingly hard to ignore. With lyrics that discuss loss, betrayal, anger, anxiety, heartbreak, bitterness, environmental catastrophe and political unrest, they inspire the questioning of social norms. Fronted by Millie’s staggering vocal dexterity and backed by grinding guitars, irresistible horns and a huge amount of pop appeal, their live shows are renowned for their power and contagious energy.

With extensive support from BBC Introducing and Radio X and appearances at notable festivals such as Boomtown and Rebellion, the last two years have propelled MILLIE MANDERS AND THE SHUTUP into the conscience of both the public and the music industry.

We love a good Lucky 7 here at Bad Tattoo – the feature that gets to the heart of what makes a band tick. And this one’s a beaut. If you don’t know the band, read Millie’s choices first then check out her LUCKY 7 – you can totally hear everything absorbed in what you’ve just read. There’s some excellent choices here (and a guilty pleasure), it’s also great to see Skin and the excellent Skunk Anansie getting some well deserved recognition. We need more Skin in our lives.

Over to Millie with her Lucky 7…

1. JIMMY EAT WORLD – HEAR YOU ME
I have the lyrics to the third verse on my shoulder as a goodbye to my Nan. I lived with her and my Dad on and off for nine years when I moved to London for college. No matter how many bad decisions I made, how many times I fell off the rails and needed to come back, my Nan was there, like a surrogate Mum, never questioning or scolding. She was the salt of the earth. Stoic, silent in pain, strong to the core though she wouldn’t have believed it if I said that to her, and a survivor of so much. I still cry listening to this song and I still miss her deeply. Especially because I was in hospital myself on the day of the funeral so didn’t get to say goodbye the way I would have liked. If anyone is with the angels, my Nan is.

2. RISKEE AND THE RIDICULE – ROOTS
Riskee and The Ridicule are one of my favourite bands ever, and I have the lyrics to this on my left forearm. Everyone has a past, no one has a clean slate and this song reminds me it’s OK not to be perfect or to have a glistening history because everything I have been through, everything I have done, seen and experienced has shaped who

I am today. I definitely have an army of skeletons in my closet and that’s OK.

3. SKUNK ANANSIE – HEDONISM (FEEL GOOD)
Stoosh is an album that screamed at the depths of me as a young vocalist. Skin is a huge inspiration and the first woman I heard who was able to scream, sing and soar vocally. She’s also an incredible performer, unashamedly herself in every glorious way possible. I spent hours singing along to this on repeat, mimicking every note.

4. ELLA FITZGERALD – SUMMERTIME
Jazz, Soul and R n’ B was a big influence for me as a youngster and I was listening to a huge amount of Jazz from the age of around seven. This song has always hit me in the feels and I have sung it many times myself. I even collaborated with someone to create a drum and bass version at college. It’s beautiful, sad, hopeful, longing and lilting.

5. LIMP BIZKIT – FAITH
This track was my entry into a love affair with Nu Metal and metal in general. My first real boyfriend played it to me in his bedroom and I was hooked. It led me to buy albums by System of a Down, Slipknot, Rage Against the Machine, Korn and many more. I ended up at Reading 2000 watching Limp Bizkit, RATM, Slipknot, A and Blink 182 all on the same bill. Bonkers.

Listening to metal and, in particular, this track also made me think more creatively about covering songs and getting heavier with vocals. It blew my mind that George Michael’s track could sound SO GOOD.

6. NOFX – DINOSAURS WILL DIE
Back in the day when you spent over a certain amount on music at HMV you got a free CD with a bunch of unreleased/new/upcoming music on it. This track was on there and a second one introduced me to Less Than Jake. This track was such a revelation to me. That musicians would be talking about not signing a record deal and just creating music they loved because the record industry was dead. Considering this was in 1999/2000 this was a mind-bending idea.

I started writing music I liked and I promised myself I wouldn’t sacrifice that for money, ever. And regardless of the deals I have been offered (“Can you write an album that sounds like this song?”) I am still poor, but still writing music that makes me happy (not turning my nose up at money though, guys!

Just don’t expect me to make music I don’t believe in). It was around this time I started chatting to other music lovers on iSound, then MySpace and so on all over the world and fell in love with other American Punk, Pop Punk and Ska Punk bands.

LUCKY 7: MILLIE MANDERS AND THE SHUTUP – BITTER
This is from our debut album, Telling Truths, Breaking Ties. I would like to make it clear that this song is not about my experience with rape and sexual abuse but I am a survivor. The song is about abandonment, callousness, cowardice and maltreatment, and the bitterness that arises in the wake of it.