The Manimals Release new single
“There’s A Special Place In Hell For Women Who Don’t Help Other Women”
September 20, 2024
photo by Kevin Vonesper
The Band
The Manimals are not a cult- they’re just a regular New York City band teaching their acolytes how to find transcendence at the rock gig, of course. They have been making uniquely genre-fluid music since 2011, but its hallmarks include big pop hooks, messy punk attitude, and glam rock spectacle. Inspired in equal parts by David Bowie and Kesha, horror movies and drag queens, myths and psychedelia, they live somewhere between deeply stupid and absolutely genuine. Led by the irrepressibly entertaining Haley Bowery (who is often covered in blood), The Manimals are a party and a queer fever dream wrapped in a messiah complex (but in a fun way!)
The Song
With a cheekily long title in the tradition of 2000s emo, “There’s A Special Place In Hell For Women Who Don’t Help Other Women” is an epic rock & roll commandment with c*nt to spare. This single represents the spirit of The Manimals: danceable, clever, and gay, with a big theatrical wink towards a deeper mythos. Big pop-punk guitars (including a dramatic solo in the breakdown), a raucous rhythm section, the band’s signature three-part harmonies, and Haley Bowery’s distinctive squeals and screams drive this riotous exploration of femininity and queerness that will be received as both empowering (to some) and withering (to others). Directed squarely at copycat peers, cocky newbies, and fake friends who broke her heart, Bowery ponders if the only thing left to do- as a woman disinterested in being a mom- is to become Mother.
The Music Film is a nine and a half minute music video, wrapped inside a horror movie, wrapped inside a cult documentary. It was shot by Kevin Vonesper, and written/directed/edited by Haley Bowery. Featuring the band and a cast of their friends, it chronicles a documentarian’s visit to The Manimals’ “Inner Circle Weekend Retreat”- culminating in a bloody, blasphemous climax.
The lyric video was made by drummer Trevor Walker, with footage by Haley Bowery.
CREDITS
“There’s A Special Place In Hell…” was produced by Ben Schrier and recorded at NES Sound in Peekskill, NY. The track features Haley Bowery (lead vocals), Michael Jayne (lead guitar, vocals), Chris Sayre (guitar, vocals), Jack Breslin (bass), and Trevor Walker (drums).
Music & lyrics by Haley Bowery and arranged by The Manimals.
Single art by Haley Bowery.
It was released on Bandcamp for purchase and all streaming platforms on September 20. The Music Film was released on Halloween.