Rocking the Ages: Punk Band of 50+ Women Drops Debut Singles

The HorMones is an all-female punk band from east Oxford, and their members are between 52 and 80 years old. This group of nine women had never sung or played instruments before, but they decided to form a band and try something new. Recently, they released their first two singles, Dirty and Sandwiches, on streaming platforms. Lisa Stokes-King, one of the singers, said that releasing their music felt both glorious and a bit surreal. She explained that she wrote one of the songs decades ago while riding a bus, never imagining she would actually be in a band.

The HorMones are inspired by classic punk bands like The Clash, Bikini Kill, The Cramps, Joan Jett, The Sex Pistols, and The Ramones, who also inspired their band name. Even though they are new to making music, they have already performed live at events like Glofest in Oxford and Electric Heart in Manchester. They have even shared the stage with well-known bands such as Supergrass and the Happy Mondays. However, Dirty and Sandwiches are their first official releases, marking an important milestone for the group.

Lisa Stokes-King described her bandmates as an incredible group of women. She reflected on her teenage years in the 1980s, saying that back then, boys usually formed bands while girls waited to be invited. She never expected to be performing on stage in her 50s, wearing fishnets and Dr. Martins. The band has more plans for the future, including releasing more music and a documentary later this year. They also have upcoming gigs at Bunkfest, Klub Kakofanney, and the O2 Academy Oxford. Lisa believes it takes a special kind of woman in her 50s, 60s, or 70s to join a punk band, and she admires her bandmates for being courageous, curious, intelligent, and funny. She says they are a strong group who sometimes disagree but always support each other. Their story shows that it is never too late to try something new and follow your dreams.