Emerging out of the South London DIY scene, Scrounge have spent time boiling down their ideas into a brand of sharp, concise art-punk that introduces elements of folk, techno and industrial music into a more familiar cocktail of noise-rock and riot grrl influences. Since meeting at Goldsmiths University in the middle of the last decade, Lucy Alexander (vocals, guitar) and Luke Cartledge (drums, vocals, electronics) have been expressing how it feels to be a young person living and working in a fast-changing metropolis, balancing the pressure of making rent and staying healthy with a desire to make art and properly engage with the communities that make London what it is. With an array of work under their belt, including debut singles, Etch and Crimson, and EP, Ideal, Scrounge released their debut mini-album, Sugar, Daddy in 2022. Their new single, Corner Cutting Boredom, is their first material of 2023, and is out now via State51 and available as a digital download, as well as a limited edition Zine & Flexi Disc. “This zine is a snapshot of the south London scene we love so much. We’re extremely grateful to have found ourselves living and working within a grassroots community that’s inclusive, accessible, radical and loads of fun. Bands, artists, organisers, writers, agitators, promoters, friends – it’s got it all. The zine documents and celebrates what’s going on south of the river and, although this is our small thank you, we’re pleased to be a tiny part of something much bigger.”

What They Say: “‘Corner Cutting Boredom‘ is the start of a new phase of the band – bringing in more texture, more of the industrial and electronic influences that we’ve always loved, than ever before, but hopefully retaining the intensity and emotion that makes this a cathartic project to be part of. We’re really excited about where we’re going next with this, and we hope you get something out of it too.”

Their Mixtape:

Lucy’s picks:

Herberta – With You 

We’re forever grateful for all the incredible musicians in our local community. Herberta is a DJ and producer from south London who puts on great nights and makes amazing music. I’ve spent many nights watching her play and this tune is a taster of her soon to be released EP.

Fever Ray – Kandy

Radical Romantics is one of my favourite albums of the year and Kandy is a nod to Karin Dreijer’s previous project: The Knife. Produced by brother Olof Dreijer, and with its haunting lyrics, this song has been on repeat.

Le Tigre – Viz

I’ve been obsessed with Kathleen Hanna and all her projects ever since I was a teenager. However, watching Le Tigre at Troxy this summer hit differently. Spreading joy through every song, it’s amazing how poignant the lyrics remain almost twenty years later. Viz is a queer anthem that still needs to be shouted from the rooftops.

Des’ree – Life 

When we’re on tour, we often find ourselves stuck in silly situations and this song has become a Scrounge tour bus singalong. We know that if we whack this on, it will all get better.

Luke’s picks: 

Death Grips – Hacker

Finally saw Death Grips for the first time a few months ago, after having loved them since I was a teenager. Absolutely incredible – one of the two most intense shows I’ve seen in several years, and this was the highlight.

Lankum – The Turn

The latest Lankum record is probably my favourite album of the year so far, and this is my favourite song on it – bleak, dirgey and really, really beautiful.

Benefits – Marlboro Hundreds

The other most intense live show I’ve seen recently was by Benefits, who we were very lucky to tour with earlier this year. So much power and commitment – searingly angry but also really humane and caring beneath all the noise. They’re doing something really special.

Feeble Little Horse – Tin Man

My mate pointed out that it’s really cool to hear US bands who sound like they’re starting to be influenced by DIY bands in London, like people we know, who in turn mostly bonded over their love of US bands a few years earlier. This band Feeble Little Horse from Pittsburgh were the act they were specifically referring to, and this tune is great – the guitars in the chorus sound like they’re imploding.

Corner Cutting Boredom is out now on State 51 Conspiracy. Look HERE for more information on Scrounge.