Bitter Grounds is a four-piece punk and ska band formed in Utrecht, the Netherlands in 2015. Fueled by a sense of angst and underground musical aggression, the band distinguishes itself by perfectly balancing melody and grit, delivering a unique mixture of high energy punk rock and raw pounding ska songs, without losing sight of the essentials of good songwriting. Bitter Grounds makes dynamic use of alternating dual vocals, backed up by straightforward guitars, edgy solos, and pumping bass lines and drums. Lyrically the band doesn’t subscribe to any particular world-view. Independent in the truest sense, the band doesn’t conform to anything or anyone.
In April 2016 Bitter Grounds recorded their 11-track debut album Hollowlands with engineer and producer Menno Bakker at the Amsterdam Recording Company (ARC). This record was received enthusiastically by critics and fans as a “breath of fresh air”, and as something that had been missing in punk for a long time. The album got great reviews as “one of the most varied and innovative punk rock albums of the past few years” and was praised as an “instant classic”.
Bitter Grounds has made quite a name for itself since then. Playing shows throughout Europe with bands like The Real McKenzies and The Interrupters, the band then intensified its schedule by playing popular festivals like Punk Rock Holiday (SL) and Nice ‘n’ Sleazy (UK). With a new album due out on October 5th, 2018, and even more exciting shows lined up, Bitter Grounds will keep winning hearts and minds with their aggressive yet infectious tunes!
