Croydon-based Bugeye beats the school bullies through song

Over time musicians have experimented with the boundaries of music and increasingly it is becoming a powerful medium for activism.

This activism is something that Croydon-based Bugeye has at their core, writes Molly Pavord.

This four-woman band have released their new single  which highlights issues of bullying through an 1980s upbeat synth-pop sound that is fun and accessible.

One in five people have been severely bullied in their lives and cyber-bullying alone has increased by 88 per cent in the last five years.

Band member Angela Martin said: “I think pretty much everyone at my school was bullied. It was the type of place where when you left your class to go to the next one you keep your head down so the bullies won’t see you.

“You kind of live in fear and that was just accepted that that was what school was like and I don’t really know that a great deal has ever been done to tackle it.

“It just felt like a subject that I wanted to comment on while still being playful and reflecting how it is in a playground.”

Inspired by musicians such as David Bowie and Blondie, Angela explained that she too wanted to bend the boundaries of musical genres and experiment with it as a form of activism.

She said: “If you look back through history, music has played a part in so many movements.

“It’s a way of spreading views and opinions and uniting people who have all have the same beliefs. It spans every sort of culture and religion. It’s always been a key part in everything that’s happened culturally in history.

“I think it’s one of the most powerful things that’s out there that can help unite people.”

Angela and fellow band member Paula Snow learnt to play the guitar together in their school days and formed the band in 2018.

Since then they have seen fellow musicians revolving through their doors, including current members Anastasia Pettinato and Robyn Skinner.

Angela said: “Bugeye’s more like a community of musicians rather than a set in stone band. Band members come and go based on what they can bring commitment-wise, what makes them happy and what works for us. So its an ever-evolving musical project.

“We’re all about helping each other out and not being just focused on yourself, or how well another band is doing.

“It’s just about enjoying what you do and surrounding yourself with good people.

If you’re miserable doing what you’re doing then don’t do it.”

 

Pictured: From left, Kerrie Smith, Angela Martin, Paula Snow, and Robyn Skinner / Picture: Keira Anee