An influential name from Oxford’s late-90s music scene is back. Beaker, the all-female indie rock band once synonymous with the city’s raw, DIY energy, have released their first new music in 27 years – and it arrives with a message that is as urgent as it is unflinching.
Their new single, “50 Men”, is a tribute to Gisele Pelicot, whose decision to waive her right to anonymity during a high-profile trial helped shift the narrative around shame and sexual violence. Her now widely echoed words – “shame should change sides” – form the emotional backbone of a track that feels both deeply personal and politically charged.
Produced and mixed by Sam Williams at Temple Sound Studios, the single channels the spirit of riot grrrl-era acts such as L7, Hole and The Breeders, while sounding unmistakably current.
The track unfolds with restraint – softly picked guitar lines and a lounge-tinged vocal that hovers over a darkened atmosphere – before building into something far more formidable. Brooding guitars cut through the mix, layered with ghostly, choir-like textures, until the song swells into a ferocious, cathartic climax. The result is a visceral anthem – defiant, haunting and primed to resonate with a new generation.
Beaker first emerged during a fertile period for Oxford music, earning a loyal following with releases including “Backgarden” as part of the Shifty Disco Singles Club in 1997, followed by the double A-side “Monster” / “Plastic” on Fierce Panda in 1998. Their rise saw them embark on a UK tour and secure an appearance at Radio 1 Sound City, cementing their reputation as one of the city’s most exciting underground acts.
Despite disbanding in 1999, the group – vocalist Sam Batlle, guitarist Teresa Ward and drummer Clare Howard-Saunders – have reunited following the tragic death of bassist Kim Parsons in 2023. What began as mutual support in a time of grief soon reignited creative connections, leading to a reformed line-up featuring new bassist Hayley Wright and backing vocalist Emma Hunter.
The comeback has already struck a chord. Recent performances have sold out, including a widely praised appearance at Truck Festival, signalling that Beaker’s return is far more than a nostalgic footnote.
April marks a pivotal moment for the band, with the release of “50 Men” accompanied by a BBC Radio 4 documentary titled “Band of Mothers”, alongside national media coverage including BBC Breakfast and an interview with Steve Lamacq.
Reflecting on the band’s return, Batlle embraces the subversive spirit that has always defined Beaker: “Being an old lady in a heavy rock band feels even more ‘not the done thing’ than being a girl in a band felt in the 90s. I like that!”
It’s a sentiment that captures both the band’s legacy and their renewed purpose. As once described by Nightshift as “one of the most popular and influential bands on the Oxford scene,” Beaker’s comeback is not just a revival – it’s a statement.
