Song of the Day: “Splash the Fash” by Cootie Cuties

Cootie Cuties’ addition to our ongoing conversation about fresh queer punk anthems that are both incredibly fun and deadly serious came last September via “Splash the Fash.”

Lead singer Annie Hyer’s chaotic yet controlled screams sound a lot like our lesbian godmother Anna Joy Springer’s work with Blatz. The chant-along chorus might as well have been lifted from the flipside of that Filth record, as well. You could also compare the controlled chaos at hand to Raouul, the Lookout Records band that sarcastically (yet lovingly) sang about “Anna Joy.”

As for the sincere part, “Splash the Fash” is based on an incident that made headlines in the band’s home country of New Zealand. (Turns out there’s protesters elsewhere in the world who aren’t insecure straight men, spineless politicians or mediocre high school athletes! (Not that TERFs are any better.))

“‘Splash the Fash’ is a song of solidarity and love inspired by and for Eliana Rubushkyn and all transgender and wider umbrella of gender non-conforming people in Aoteroa and around the world,” reads the Cootie Cuties’ Bandcamp page for the song. “It is about coming together, standing up and fighting back against TERFS, transphobes and fascists. It is about loving our community fiercely.”

READ MORE: Song of the Day: “Working Class Anthem” by Doll Chaser