Gaydar
Needs a Piss
Simone Rob
Gaydar
Needs a Piss
Simone Rob
Please note: if easily offended, you’d better stop reading now. People find punk shocking. People find transgender and queer people shocking.
Still, you know what’s more shocking, a queer/trans punk band. You know what shocks even more than that: properly shocked, like brain-melting shocked: the band Gaydar. Gaydar, the queer/trans alternative punk band, is here. With singer and vocalist Riley (he/him), a trans man (AFAB-assigned female at birth), Jamy (he/her/they), bassist who joined in 2025, and Rachel (she/her), who is queer/cis and who Riley knew for 7/8 years, and with Riley is a founder member of Gaydar: founded in 2023. In a world of punk where shock lyrics and content, Gaydar excels because it’s not fake, and they will offend those who love to be offended. Jamy, the bassist, is sensationally eclectically dressed. Rachel is a madly powerful drummer, and Riley, the guitarist and singer, embodies all that offends people without really trying. He is a statement: Riley’s life, like that of all members of Gaydar, is reflected in their work. But do not mistake shocking for immoral; in fact, they care deeply about queer/trans/women’s rights and misogyny, headline queer events, and organise fundraisers for local charities. They even raised money for Riley’s top surgery, which was named RIP Tiddy committee. Yes, that’s right, all those easily offended people who so like to take the moral high ground have a problem with the band Gaydar because the world is better with them in it on all sorts of levels. This is reflected in their music with their new release, “Christ, I need a piss.”: a political song about the trans experience in healthcare and the bathroom debate, etc. I went along to see the release event of their newest song: “Christ I need a piss”. There were strong supporting bands, but the highlight of the show was Gaydar Band. They have a fantastic tight punk sound and musically good. I had a chance to talk to Riley and ask some questions.
What are the positive and negative points of being a trans person?
We’ll start with the negatives, then we’ll end on a positive. The negatives are obviously that trans people are being villainised, scapegoated: it’s been this way from the dawn of time, it’s one of those things. But it doesn’t mean that it’s right, and there are things we can do about it. Not being able to blend into society: I don’t mean trying to be a certain way; I mean being accepted. Not sure what the micro rules are. It’s a marginalised group, just like any other group. It’s hard like this sometimes. I think the worst thing you can see about it is that it’s all crap for trans people. The positive is that there is a community out there, and there is more to life than that. Just like tonight hanging out with like-minded people, and I think that’s the best thing: knowing yourself and loving yourself enough to do what’s best for you, and that’s ignoring the bullshit of other people.
What do you think of the state of the political movement against trans people?
I can say what I think about it, but I’m not saying it’s necessarily the truth. It’s just like anything; it’s the 1% putting minority groups against each other: it’s a form of control, and they do it all the time with different communities, not just the trans community. Once people start seeing that people can start realising you can’t trust people like that, they’re not out to help you: not necessarily: I’m not saying that for everybody but I think the important thing is community and doing this: just being there for each other, I think I’ve said this before but you know when the buildings come crumbling down, it is just up to you guys and team work and stuff and helping each other out and fundraising.
Tell me about your new song that’s come out?
It’s called “Christ I need a Piss”, it’s a protest song about the trans bathroom debate. It’s kind of like a tongue-in-cheek: that’s the sort of thing you say: lyrical, witty nonsense, when things are so bad, what else do you do but have a laugh: that’s all you can do. The song is really personal to us, and we really love it. It’s out today on Spotify and stuff. It’s really good, I recommend it.
Gaydar are a great band to see live and certainly buy their new song.