Interrobang?! & a.b.a.d.e @ The Ship Isis

Formed in 2012 between Brighton and Leeds, Interrobang?! sprang from Dunstan and Griff’s refusal to accept comfort, nostalgia or inertia. Their determination to create something that speaks to the generation who grew up in the shadow of punk, with hopes and dreams, full of rebellion who may feel that they are becoming invisible and irrelevant is their obsession.

They embody the interrobang symbol itself; asking the question and shouting the exclamation simultaneously. They are activists, musicians, provocateurs. Their newfound mantra is: “If you can’t dance to it, it’s not our revolution.” They won’t shut up. They want to challenge apathy and middle-aged complacency with furious honesty, wit and a deadly groove.

Their self-titled album Interrobang?! was released March 2018 on All The Madmen Records. The album laid bare Bruce’s reflections on entering his fifties — struggles, discontent, anger and hope in a setting of frenetic punk-funk noise. It reached out to those asking: How do I make myself heard now? Where do I fit in? Bruce’s battleground lyrically is very much confronting the mid-life malaise, political dissatisfaction and existential restlessness.

Interrobang is Dunstan Bruce (vocals) — Coming from the anarcho-cabaret roots of Chumbawamba, he brings a lifelong commitment to activism, audacious lyricism and a voice grown hoarse with both anger and humour and Stephen Griffin (guitar/synth/sampler/vocals) Griff channels the jagged, anti-rock aesthetics while adding his own propulsive urgency now augmented with synth and samples and driving beats.

Interrobang?! now embrace new technology; they’re calling it agit-synth where synths, beats and samples pepper the soundscape whilst Griff’s guitar still embraces that angularity and anti-rock aesthetic as well as giving a nod to some 70/80s Bowie. Chuck in some LCD Soundsystem, some Chalk and a touch of Sleaford Mods and some KLF too.

Their live shows remain part gig, part group therapy, part punk sermon. Expect to feel seen, confronted, and maybe even saved for three minutes at a time. In the world of the interrobang, silence is not an option. Interrobang?! are not done yet.

The Ship Isis. Home to The Vaux Room, an intimate live venue in one of Sunderland's oldest pubs.

The venue is situated on the edge of the city centre and is within a 15-minute walk from both bus and train stations, with a flat level car park directly behind the venue.

On show days, ticket holders can enjoy 20% off food and drinks at local business’ Koji and Mexico 70. We recommend booking the restaurants on weekends.