What is your name?
Beaker
What is your genre of music?
Indie pop punk grunge cabaret.
Give us a little bio about you.
Originally formed in Oxford in 1994, Beaker (Sam, TJ, Clare and Kim) had an absolute blast playing the local scene and touring indie venues around the country.
New lineup Sam (vocals), TJ (guitar), Clare (drums), Hayley (bass) and Emma (vocals) are bound together in unholy matrimony: gloriously feminine, unashamedly feminist, and loving their second coming.
Hard to pin down by genre, they are punk, pop, grunge, rock and cabaret, all in the same song….mixing juicy four part harmonies with ear shredding guitars in equal measure, all whilst looking like the nice lady who works down the post office. Do not be fooled.
What made you go into music?
Sam: trying to avoid doing any work on my GCSE’s
Who are your influences?
The sensible answer here would be a list of people we think are cool and talented-I’m going Pixies, PJ Harvey, Belly, though I’m not sure we sound like any of those. Sam says Donald (duck not trump). meep meep
Are you a signed?[Text Wrapping Break]no
You released your new song ’50 Men’, tell us more about the song and the meaning behind it.
50 men” is a tribute to Gisele Pelicot. She profoundly changed the narrative around shame and sexual violence, with her awe inspiring response, when she waived her right to anonymity in the trial against her ex husband and 51 other perpetrators. “Shame should change sides” The whole story generated such bewilderment discomfort, rage of course, more rage, and admiration. That’s where the music came from.
What was the writing and recording process like?
Sam: It was one of the hottest days ever. It was actually 40 degrees in the studio and all the equipment was heating the room more and more…..so I’m gonna say, the process was sweaty 😥
Who did you work with on the song?
Recorded with Ian at Courtyard studios and mixed/produced by Sam Williams
Will we see a music video for ’50 Men’ and if so can you tell us about the creative process.
No video planned
Will we see a new EP or Album and if so what can we expect from the creative process.
We would love to record more and have new songs in the pipeline. We have already written an ep and are hoping to fund it very soon. We want to maintain ownership of all our records our self so the process is slower but more autonomous.
Will we see any live shows or a tour coming up or in planning, if so what can you tell us about it?
Our next Gig, at the Jericho tavern in Oxford, is sold out but we will be playing at Charlbury Riverside Festival in July, and have some northeast dates lined up in the autumn-Doncaster, Edinburgh and Newcastle, plus Bristol Thunderbolt in November. Oxford is our home turf though so maybe another one there this year too. keep eyes on Beaker.Oxford on socials for ticket links.
What else can we expect in 2026? See above
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
TJ: still making a racket and having fun
Sam: On the bus with my new bus pass.
Emma: or world domination?
TJ: yeah that too
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
We have failed to come up with one we all agree on, sorry
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
Sam: My handbag 👜 and earplugs
TJ: I cannot forget Spandau ballet lyrics, stuffing up a guitar line really badly at a big venue in London once in the 90s, and that time my dog followed me to school and the pe teacher thought he had rabies. I should probably not forget myguitar, comfy footwear, our songs, and how to get home. I’d go with Sam’s answer to this one if I were you.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Beaker.Oxford for all things.
