Hands Off Gretel
Entry Requirements: 18+
Hands Off Gretel are a sassy alt rock/grunge pop band from South Yorkshire, who have built themselves a solid live reputation, for a high energy shows that are musically dynamic and visually compelling.
Hands Off Gretel have created the perfect soundtrack of sugar-coated grunge-punk to vent and rail against the issues of body image, mental health, celebrity, childhood and loneliness all of which were addressed from a fiercely female, unapologetic, feminist perspective.
Over the last few years they have gigged relentlessly and swelled their UK and international fan base, resulting in a largely sold out UK album tour, busy European dates and appearances at major festivals including, Isle of Wight, Camden Rocks Festival, Y Not and Kendal Calling. They have also played the BBC Introducing stages at Tramlines and Humber Street Sesh.
The band have received critical acclaim on their self-released album “I Want The World’ (2019). With Classic Rock putting this at No.15 in the Top 50 rock albums of 2019 ‘so far’ and Kerrang Magazine giving it a solid 4/5 Ks.
“This is music that hits it cues with well chosen melodies and sky size choruses.. Brimming with clever arrangements and nifty musical tricks, Hands Off Gretel make a lasting impression.” – [4/5] Kerrang!
“a beautifully brutal album […] an early contender for my album of the year” – [9/10] Original Rock
“In Tate, they’ve got a voice and presence with a unique combination of snarl and sweetness. And that novel pairing extends beautifully to the band’s sound throughout this release.” – [4/5] Louder Than War
The band have been tipped by many industry taste makers as ‘Ones to Watch’, including Alternative Press, PRS Foundation (Emerging Artist Winners) and ‘This Feeling’ who tipped them for their #Bigin2019, including a showcase on ‘This Feeling TV’, supporting Miles Kane. They have been added Spotify’s Hot New Bands Playlist and the band have had great coverage in Kerrang Magazine, Vive Le Rock, Classic Rock Magazine and many more.
The band has received regular airplay from their local BBC Introducing team in Sheffield and airplay on 6Music with Steve Lamacq and Tom Robinson. Tracks from the bands album “I Want The World’ have also been play-listed with Planet Rock and Kerrang Radio, with “Its My Fault’ being selected by Sophie K as track of the week on Kerrang Radio and Kerrang’s Spotify Play-list.
The band has a strong DIY ethic, with all of the bands visuals, videos; merchandise designs being created by front woman Lauren Tate. Three of these self-produced videos have gone on to secure Video of The Week with Louder Sound.
Hands Off Gretel is Lauren Tate (guitar, vox), Sean Bon (guitar), Sam Hobbins (drums) and Becky Baldwin (bass).
Line Up
Hands Off Gretel channel the best of old skool riot grrrl with a sugar-coated mix of heavy garage rock, grunge and pop rock, creating a sound that is identifiably and unquestionably now. With attitude and confidence aplenty they are also a visually compelling band to see live, injecting energy and chaos into every performance. The new single ‘S.A.S.S ’ is “a middle finger to all those that doubt and underestimate you. It’s a refusal to conform” (Lauren Tate)
The band features Lauren Tate (lead vocals, Guitar), Becky Baldwin (Bass guitar, backing vocals), Sean Bon (lead guitar) and Sam Hobbins (Drums). The epitome of a modern DIY band, front woman and band songwriter Lauren designs all the bands merchandise and album artwork. She has also produced the bands music videos, creating a recognisable aesthetic that runs through everything the band do. The “HOG brand” has been fundamental in helping them fund recording and touring, with sales of merchandise around the world to their huge online fan base. Hands off Gretel band are building a solid live reputation with over 100 shows under their belt, including major festivals, such as Download, Isle of Wight, Rebellion, Camden Rocks Festival and headline slot at the Loud Women Festival in London. They have done 2 European tours, selling out shows in Germany this summer and have played 5 ‘Camden Rocks Presents’ headline shows in London over the last 2 years. Described as "One of the most exciting new bands" in the 'Bands To Watch' feature Alternative Press premiered the band’s 2015 video single ‘My Size’ in the US. With Louder than war then publishing 'HOG’ as ‘the best Alternative Rock band to come out of the UK in years' in their 2016 album write up, placing them in the top 50 albums of 2016. Airplay support - Johnny Doom; Kerrang! Radio; Christian Carlisle, BBC Intro Sheffield; Team Rock Radio; Absolute Radio; Rodney Bingenheimer, on the Roq, USA; “What the Funday” Mike Rogers InterFM897 Japan
