Imagine a group of women in their 50s and 60s, armed with guitars, drums, and a passion for punk music, taking the stage and blowing the minds of everyone in the audience. This is not a fictional story, but the real-life journey of the NaNaz, a six-piece punk band from south Wales that is redefining the music scene.
The Birth of the NaNaz
The NaNaz story began in the bat-cave gloom of the Cab, a hardcore punk club in Newport, where a group of women came together to form a band. They were brought together by Jude Price, a community outreach worker and musician who had suffered from a stroke and experienced the isolation that many older women face. The band's bassist, vocalist, and former community nurse, Anne-Marie Bollen, was one of the first to join the group. "After the first episode of Riot Women was on TV, loads of people got in touch with us, all saying: this is old news – you lot are already doing it," she says.
The Women Behind the Music
The NaNaz is made up of women from diverse backgrounds, each with their own unique story to tell. There's Ange Pearce, the lead guitarist, who grew up in Newport and was inspired by the first generation of female punk musicians. Deborah de Lloyd, the band's viola player, has been playing since the age of eight. Marega Palser, a former theatre performer, now multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, discovered punk at the age of 11 and never looked back. Each of these women brings their own experiences and perspectives to the band, creating a rich and dynamic sound.
The Music and the Message
The NaNaz's repertoire of songs tackles everything from unaffordable care home fees to male attitudes towards older women, to the frustrations of recycling. Their music is a reflection of their lives, experiences, and passions. "We like to write and perform songs that tell the truth about things we feel really strongly about," says Bollen. The band's first single, 60 Lies, is a song in support of the Waspi women's pension inequality campaign. Their music is not just about entertainment, but about inspiring others to take action and make a difference.
The Impact of the NaNaz
The NaNaz has no manager, no record label, or PR agent, yet they are booked solid at clubs and festivals every weekend until the end of the year. Their music and message are resonating with people of all ages, and they are inspiring a new generation of women to pick up instruments and start their own bands. "For every person who says they loved us, and that they left with a big smile on their face, there's another who will tell us that we've inspired them to pick up a guitar or write a song," says Claire Symons, the band's rhythm guitarist.
Conclusion
The NaNaz is more than just a band – they are a movement. They are proof that age is just a number, and that punk is a state of mind. They are inspiring others to take risks, be bold, and pursue their passions, no matter what their age. As Symons says, "Our job is not to get everyone to follow the NaNaz around. It's to get them to realise: oh, I could start a band too. Fuck it, let's do it." Which, let's face it, is the most punk idea ever.
