The Belfast-based DIY feminist queerpunk firestarters teamed up with none other than Matt Korvette of Pissed Jeans (Sub Pop Records) on Sad Old Woman, out now via the ever-rad Alcopop! Records.
Sad Old Woman made its first proud noise on BBC6 Music’s New Music Fix Daily with Deb Grant and Tom Ravenscroft, then got another blast thanks to John Kennedy over at Radio X. Safe to say, it’s already making waves.
The band spills the tea on the track: “Sad Old Woman is about surrendering to the wild ride that is aging. Society tells women to stay polished and perfect forever — if you slip up, you’re either invisible or ‘past it.’ We’re told there’s this neat little life checklist to tick off by a certain age, but honestly? Those rules feel less real than ever. Aging’s a gift, not a curse. Embrace the chaos.”
Fun fact: Problem Patterns have been big Pissed Jeans fans since day one — their early track ‘Mediocre Man’ was basically a love letter-slash-roast inspired by Pissed Jeans’ ‘Boring Girls’. After finally catching Pissed Jeans live in Dublin in 2024 (complete with a homemade bootleg T-shirt moment), they floated the idea of a collab to Matt Korvette. Like true punks, they committed to the bit — and Matt said yes.
Korvette brings his signature chaotic energy to Sad Old Woman, playing the devil-on-your-shoulder voice of the titular character in gloriously grotesque style. The band couldn’t be happier: “From Boring Girls to Mediocre Man to Sad Old Woman, the punk prophecy is fulfilled.”
Matt’s side of the story? Pure gold: “Problem Patterns were front and center at our gig in homemade Pissed Jeans shirts — total legends. I’m honoured to be part of Sad Old Woman. Honestly, the sad old woman lives inside me, too…”
If you’re new here, Problem Patterns are the queer, feminist, punk powerhouse tipped by legends like Kathleen Hanna (Bikini Kill, Le Tigre) and Henry Rollins (Black Flag). They snagged ‘Album of the Year’ at the 2024 Northern Irish Music Prize for their raucous, anthemic debut ‘Blouse Club’ — and now they’re back with fresh chaos and a full run of EU, UK, and Ireland dates.
Catch them causing glorious punk mayhem at places like NXNE, Under The Drum, Get In Her Ears Fest, and support slots with Bo Ningen and Michael Cera Palin. Tickets are flying — grab yours while you can.
Upcoming Live Shows
(more dates and sweaty circle pits to be announced)
- 06 May – Belfast – USC (w/ Michael Cera Palin)
- 07 May – Dublin – Workmans (w/ Michael Cera Palin)
- 06 June – Bath – Alcopop! Stage (w/ Bo Ningen + Cherym)
- 11-15 June – Toronto – NXNE
- 09 Aug – NI – Under The Drum
- 27 Sept – London – Cavendish Arms – Get In Her Ears Fest
Tickets on sale now – https://linktr.ee/Problempatterns
Who are Problem Patterns?
Just four shouty queers from Belfast (Alanah, Bethany, Bev, and Ciara — aka ABBA, but punk) who decided the world needed a new kind of noisy rebellion. They swap instruments mid-set, yell about whatever’s pissing them off that week, and somehow make it sound like pure celebration.
Since 2018, they’ve been smashing stages with the likes of Le Tigre, Bob Vylan, Fight Like Apes, and dreaming up a world that’s a little louder, a little prouder, and a whole lot more fun.
Their 2023 debut album ‘Blouse Club’ lit up critics and fans alike, with love from The Guardian, LOUDER, VISIONS, God Is In The TV, The Thin Air, and more. Radio legends like Henry Rollins and BBC 6music have sung their praises. (And yep — they even cooked up a full remix album, ‘Blouse Clubland,’ just for kicks.)
If you like your punk raucous, radical, and ready to flip the table, you’re gonna love it here.
Get loud with Problem Patterns:
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