The Tuts

English DIY pop punk band

Not to be confused with The Tutts.

The Tuts

Nadia Javed (left) and Harriet Doveton (right) performing in September 2016

Background information
Origin| Hayes, Hillingdon, West London, England
Genres|

* Indie rock
* pop punk
* riot grrrl

Years active| 2007–2019
Labels| Dovetown
Members|

* Nadia Javed
* Beverley Ishmael
* Harriet Doveton

Website| thetuts.bandcamp.com

The Tuts were an English DIY pop punk,[1] "three-tone"[2] band from Hayes, Greater London.[3] They received extensive coverage from alternative music radio, most notably Amazing Radio,[4][5] and from music websites such as Louder Than War which published multiple articles on the group,[6][7][8] calling them "one of the UK's most exciting bands".[6] The band, particularly frontwoman Nadia Javed, were the subject of a feature in the ITV series Young, British and Muslim in April 2018.[9]

Initially influenced by contemporary indie and alternative rock,[10] their back-to-basics sound and feminist politics led to comparisons with older genres such as punk, C86 and riot grrrl.[11]

By 2022, Javed had become a solo artist.[12]

## Origins

[edit]

The Tuts were formed by teenagers Nadia Javed (guitar) and Beverley Ishmael (drums) in the mid-2000s while still at school. The bass guitarist, Harriet Doveton (also of Colour Me Wednesday), joined in late 2010 and this line up played its first gig in early 2011.[13]

The band self-released their first EP, The Tuts, in 2012,[14] and the download single "Tut Tut Tut" early the following year, picking up radio support from Billy Reeves, Gary Crowley,[4] Ruth Barnes,[5] Steve Lamacq and Gideon Coe.

A 2013 tour with Kate Nash[15] led to a track on Nash's Have Faith This Christmas EP later that year;[16] the band also made their first appearance at Indietracks,[17] and released two more download singles, "Dump Your Boyfriend" and "Worry Warrior", the artwork for the latter a playful nod to X Ray Spex.[18]

In 2014, the band released a second EP, Time to Move On,[19] and played on the Leftfield stage at Glastonbury Festival[8] at the invitation of Billy Bragg.

In 2015, they launched their single 'Do I Have to Look For Love?'[20] and toured with The Selecter[21] and Sonic Boom Six,[22] returned to Indietracks[23] and appeared at the Tolpuddle Martyrs festival.

## Album and after

[edit]

Having built a fanbase solely through touring and DIY/social media promotion, in spring 2016 The Tuts started a PledgeMusic campaign to finance their debut album.[24] It reached its target within a week.[7]

The band's album Update Your Brain was released in September 2016 to universally-positive reviews,[25][26][27][28][29][30] including national press.[31]

In July, they had released a new download single, "Let Go of the Past", with an accompanying video.[32] Their video to follow-up single "1982" was premiered on Vice magazine's Noisey channel[33] in October 2016.

In September 2016, they embarked on an album release tour, including a sold out show at The Lexington, London and a run of dates co-headlining with anti-folk Manchester based band Crywank. The same year the band played with The Undertones, Thee Faction, Adam Ant and Senseless Things and performed at several summer festivals in 2016, including Bearded Theory, Glastonwick, Camden Rocks, Indiefjord, Godiva[34] and Rebellion.[35] In 2017 The Tuts supported Feeder,[36] toured with The Skints,[37] and played the Bestival[38] and Indietracks[39] festivals.

In May and June 2017, The Tuts embarked on their own "Give Us Something Worth Voting For" tour, with reference to the impending UK general election and their eponymous anti-Conservative album track.[40] Later the same year the band collaborated with Girli on a new version of the song "Mr 10pm Bedtime", previously released on her Hot Mess EP.[41]

Javed and the band received TV coverage as part of the ITV series Young British and Muslim in April 2018. The feature contained interview footage of Javed on life as a young female Muslim musician in Britain as well as rehearsal footage of the full band.[9]

In March 2019, the band announced that they would be supporting The Specials on their Encore tour.[42]

In June 2019, The Tuts supported Bikini Kill at O2 Academy Brixton alongside Big Joanie[43]

In December 2019 Javed launched a live version of her song "I Hate Boris" on YouTube [44] ahead of the general election.

In 2020 the band's debut album Update Your Brain featured in James Acaster's book and (with comedian Suzi Ruffell) podcast Perfect Sound, Whatever[45] as one of his favourite albums of 2016.[46]

## Breakup

[edit]

After a lengthy silence from the band, Javed re-emerged as a solo artist in 2022, playing the Godiva Festival.[12]

## Controversies

[edit]

A dispute arose between the band and management of the Undercover Festival in 2016, following clashes between security staff and band members, during the performance of the headline act The Selecter.[47][48]

The band cited, as a precedent for the above, an incident in 2012 The Windmill, Brixton where Javed (and eyewitnesses) reported an assault on her by staff.[49] Police were called but no further action was taken. There was no CCTV footage. The promoter, who had not been present but had discussed the incident with the staff involved, released a statement.[50]

In January 2019, The Tuts claimed to have turned down the opportunity to represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 due to it being held in Israel.[51] The band was not mentioned in the shortlist for the preliminary contest for UK entry, Eurovision: You Decide, which preceded the competition in February.[52][53]

In July 2019, it emerged that Javed is one of several musicians being sued by the singer/rapper Jonny "Itch" Fox, seeking aggravated damages and an injunction for alleged libel.[54] The defendants were fundraising towards their legal costs.[55]

## Members

[edit]

* Nadia Javed – guitar, vocals (2007-2019)
* Beverley Ishmael – drums (2007–2019)
* Harriet Doveton – bass, vocals (2010–2019)

### Timeline

[edit]

## Discography

[edit]

### Album

[edit]

* Update Your Brain Dovetown, LP/CD/DD, 2016

### Singles/EPs

[edit]

* The Tuts EP CD/DD, 2012
* "Tut Tut Tut" DD, 2013
* "Dump Your Boyfriend" DD, 2013
* "Worry Warrior" DD, 2013
* "Christmas Is In The Air" DD, 2013
* Time to Move On EP CD/DD, 2014
* "Do I Have To Look For Love" DD, 2015
* "Let Go of the Past" DD, 2016
* "1982" DD, 2016
* "Do I Have To Look For Love"/"Lying Lover" 7"/DD, 2017
* "Mr 10pm Bedtime" (Girli vs. The Tuts) DD, 2017

### Compilation appearances

[edit]

* "I Call You Up" on MC12, HHBTM Records, Cassette, 2012
* "Do I Have To Look For Love" on Don't Be Left Without Us, 2CD, 2016[56]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Introducing... The Tuts - Songwriting Magazine". Songwritingmagazine.co.uk. 5 March 2017.
2. ^ Loucaides, Darren (28 June 2018). "'It's about time': the black and Asian bands 'decolonising' British indie". Theguardian.com.
3. ^ "The Tuts Interview: "It is literally DIY or die and we don't wanna die!" - Overblown". Overblown.co.uk. 27 February 2016. Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
4. ^ a b "Amazing Radio – Gary Crowley Presents... The Tuts". Amazingradio.com. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
5. ^ a b "Amazing Radio – Track Of The Week: The Tuts". Amazingradio.com. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
6. ^ a b "The Tuts start Pledge campaign for new album - Louder Than War". Louderthanwar.com. 15 February 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
7. ^ a b "INTERVIEW! The Tuts talk sexism in music, their upcoming album, and their DIY aesthetic - Louder Than War". Louderthanwar.com. 11 March 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
8. ^ a b "The Tuts : Glastonbury : live review". Louderthanwar.com. 18 April 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
9. ^ a b "Changing what it means to be Young, British and Muslim - ITV News". YouTube. 25 April 2018.
10. ^ "Meet The Tuts". Backseatmafia.com. 15 April 2015. Archived from the original on 1 April 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
11. ^ "Review - The Tuts". Thegirlsare.com. 20 September 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
12. ^ a b "Nadia Javed". Archived from the original on 20 July 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
13. ^ "RIOT PARTY #4". Girlsgetbusyzine.tumblr.com. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
14. ^ "The Tuts". 1to5reviews.co.uk. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
15. ^ "Kate Nash, The Tuts - East Village Arts Club, Liverpool: 21 April 2013". Godisinthetvzine.co.uk. 24 April 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
16. ^ "Kate Nash new songs – first listen here to the Christmas EP!". Bigissue.com. Archived from the original on 20 September 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
17. ^ "Indietracks interview #17: The Tuts". Indietracks.co.uk.
18. ^ "Worry Warrior, by The Tuts". Thetuts.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
19. ^ "EP review: The Tuts - 'Time To Move On'". Galleonnews.com. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2016.[permanent dead link]
20. ^ "The Tuts - Do I Have to Look for Love?". YouTube. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
21. ^ "The Selecter, The Tuts: Arts Club, Liverpool". Getintothis.co.uk. 22 March 2015. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
22. ^ "LIVE MUSIC - Sonic Boom Six, The Tuts, Kenneths @ Boston Music Room, London 06/11/15". Sonicboomsix.co.uk. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
23. ^ "Indietracks interview #22: The Tuts". Indietracks.co.uk. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
24. ^ "The Tuts: New Album". Pledgemusic.com. Archived from the original on 22 May 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
25. ^ "The Tuts - Update Your Brain | Upset". Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
26. ^ "The Tuts - "Update Your Brain"". The Revue. 12 September 2016.
27. ^ "The Tuts - Update Your Brain". Beautifulfreaks.co.uk. 9 September 2016.
28. ^ "Musicsoup". Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
29. ^ ""Update Your Brain" by the Tuts: Album Review – Cold Soda". Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
30. ^ "Review | the Tuts • Update Your Brain | Watch Read Repeat". Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
31. ^ "Morning Star :: A 'million-dollar idea' whose time has come | the Peoples Daily". Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
32. ^ "Video of the Day is Let Go of the Past by The Tuts |". 50thirdand3rd.com. 9 September 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
33. ^ "The Tuts "1982" is a Joyous Middle Finger to the Music Industry". Noisey.vice.com. 6 October 2016.
34. ^ Pearce, Matt. "The Tuts". Godivafestival.vom. Archived from the original on 14 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
35. ^ "Colt 45, Spoilers, Youth Man and The Tuts part of Rebellion Introducing". Punktastic.com. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
36. ^ "FEEDER, newly bright and electric". Thezineuk.co.uk. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
37. ^ "The Skints release video for Al Green Cover plus confirm UK spring tour supports". Punktastic.com.
38. ^ "download lagu mungkin hari ini esok atau nanti wapka - Fast Mp3 Download". Bestival.net. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
39. ^ "Frankie Cosmos, Skinny Girl Diet and The Just Joans join Indietracks 2017 line-up". Indietracks.co.uk.
40. ^ "The Tuts Announce 'Something Worth Voting For' Tour Dates". Gigslutz.co.uk. 5 April 2017.
41. ^ "Girl Gang the Tuts Sings About Fighting Through Patriarchal Oppression | STATUS Magazine". Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
42. ^ "The Tuts on Instagram: 🔥BIG NEWS🔥 We've been keeping this secret for months but we are HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE WILL BE SUPPORTING THE SPECIALS on their 'ENCORE' 40th-anniversary tour!..." Instagram.com. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
43. ^ "BIKINI KILL/THE TUTS/BIG JOANIE @o2 BRIXTON 11/6/19". Shewolfofcl.com.[permanent dead link]
44. ^ "Nadia Javed - I HATE BORIS". YouTube. 8 December 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
45. ^ "Perfect Sound Whatever by James Acaster | Waterstones". Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
46. ^ "James Acaster Presents: 16 Overlooked PERFECT Albums of 2016". YouTube. 20 August 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
47. ^ "Your punk politics will be privileged, or it will be bullshit". Now That's What I Call History. 11 September 2016.
48. ^ "Open Letter To The Tuts". Way Out Radio. 11 September 2016.
49. ^ "Last night at the Windmill, Brixton". Thetuts.tumblr.com.
50. ^ "The Tuts make dubious allegations after Brixton Windmill gig". Urban75.net. 5 July 2012.
51. ^ "The Tuts turned down representing UK in Eurovision as it's being held in Israel | Metro News". Metro.co.uk. 26 January 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
52. ^ "Who will represent the United Kingdom in 2019? - Eurovision Song Contest". Eurovision.tv. 23 January 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
53. ^ [1][dead link]
54. ^ "King Blues singer Jonny Fox suing five women over 'sexual predator' allegations | Music". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
55. ^ "SOLIDARITY NOT SILENCE". CrowdJustice.com. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
56. ^ "Don't Be Left Without These Star Sounds". Morningstaronline.co.uk. Archived from the original on 1 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.

## External links

[edit]

* Bandcamp
* 2015 Rookie interview
* 2015 Indietracks interview
* 2016 Louder Than War interview
* 2016 Digital Fix interview Archived 4 November 2016 at the Wayback Machine
* 2016 Bristol Live interview

Authority control databases: Artists |

* MusicBrainz

|