“If you’ve never seen us before you’re probably wondering what the fuck my problem is” said Mannequin Pussy frontperson Marisa Dabice, taking a break in between songs at their First Avenue performance. After beating on her chest with her fists and dangling the microphone above her throat like a snake about to unhinge its jaws the dads in the crowd definitely had some questions. She performs the way her music lives: visceral, intense, cathartic. Because a big part of Mannequin Pussy’s appeal is the way they’re unafraid to scream and cry and make a scene in public. Their 2019 album ‘Patience’ was an emotional exorcism of her past relationships, the good ones and the toxic ones, and the ones with herself. Instead of being another jaded punk, Dabice makes music for the uncontrollably empathetic. She sets fire to everything around her and you can hear it. Dabice, individually and in her music, is complex, showing women as capable of rage, and strength, and defiance, and fragility (“and everyone says to me "Missy, you're so strong" but what if I don't wanna be?” on ‘Drunk II).’ Mannequin Pussy is seething with teeth clenched and hot breath on your face, but they’re also painfully vulnerable. With unflinching lyrics and intricate melodies they create music that is no longer ashamed of who it is. In venturing to the most brutal of places they bring a pure pleasure in listening.

Tune into Mannequin Pussy below and follow them on Instagram and Twitter.