The Return of Panic Shack
The Panic Shack from Cardiff has made a comeback with Gok Wan, introducing their first new material in two years via Via Brace Usy Records.
A Deep Dive into Cultural Influence
This track, which first aired thanks to Huw Stephens at BBC 6 Music, serves as a teaser for their upcoming Quintet debut album. The group—comprised of Sarah Harvey (vocals), Meg Fruell (guitar/backing vocals), Romi Lawrence (guitar/backing vocals), Em Smith (bass), and Nick Urti-Wilems (drums)—has spent recent years touring with Bob Vylan and other acts, making appearances at festivals like Glastonbury, Reading, and Leeds.
Crafted by Ali Chang, known for collaborations with P.J. Harvey, the track “Gok Wan” critiques the culture of body image, inspired by their experiences growing up. Accompanied by a video shot by Ren Fulkner featuring choreography by Lauren Frevull, the single captures the essence of a complex and often troubling subject.
The band shares, “Growing up in the 00s, we were inundated with constant images of super-skinny models and ‘It Girls,’ not to mention shows that reinforced the idea of being thin as ideal. We aimed to create a song that reflects the damaging narratives we consumed as children and how they continue to affect us today.”
“We delved into our collective memories, flipping through numerous magazines at the corner shop and revisiting old shows on YouTube. The shocking portrayal of female bodies back then seems satirical in light of current standards. We even borrowed headlines from those magazines, like ‘Fat or Pregnant’—a genuine magazine title.”
“The title ‘Gok Wan’ references the show that celebrated body positivity, which, despite its flaws, represented a significant time in our lives. While it was one of the best shows in terms of tackling negativity, it still reinforced a narrow focus on female bodies. This experience contributed to shaping our adolescent angst into an adult world that overly emphasizes appearance over substance.”
Upcoming Tour Dates
The group’s upcoming dates are as follows:
MAYBE
1 Bodega, Nottingham, Great Britain (sold out)
2 Mash, Cambridge, UK
3 Norwich Arts Center, Norwich, Great Britain
6 Patterns, Brighton, Great Britain (sold out)
8 Castle & Falcon, Birmingham, Great Britain
9 Focus Wales, Wrexham, Great Britain
10 Wardrobe, Leeds, UK
11 Clooney, Newcastle, Great Britain
13 King Tuts Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow, Great Britain
14 Yellow Arch Studios, Sheffield, UK (sold out)
15 Artificial Club, Liverpool, Great Britain
16 Group on the Wall, Manchester, Great Britain
18 The Bullingdon, Oxford, Great Britain (sold out)
19 Papillon, Southampton, Great Britain
20 Craufurd Arms, Milton Keynes, Great Britain
22 Thekla, Bristol, Great Britain (sold out)
23 This is the Festival Together, Port Talbot, Great Britain
25 Corn Exchange, Newport, Great Britain
28 Garage, London, Great Britain
JULY
10 Upcote Farm, Cheltenham, Great Britain
18 Festival of the Estate, Portishead, UK
