To fully celebrate the punk ethos and spirit, Lonnie trio Slag Queens have pulled together Election Defection,  a night in at with the queens themselves, plus Treehouse, Adventurers, and The Vedders.

Claire Johnston, drummer for the all-girl trio, said it was the anti-establishment sentiments and outlets that gave her so much enjoyment from punk music.

It’s a genre that’s traditionally provided a platform the issues that are often ignored or overlooked by mainstream society.

“Many of our songs include messages about feminism and queer politics, which we’re all quite passionate about,” Johnston said.

As one of Launceston’s few all-girl bands, it’s a unique situation and unique set of music politics the queens bring to the stage.

“We were quite inspired by the 90s riot grrrl music, where female bands mostly in the States, who had been involved in the punk-hardcore scene, saying ‘guys don’t give us any space so we’re going to make our own’,” she said.

“We’re not a polite band, we don’t sing polite songs, and that’s a comment about how women are meant to act and behave.”

Catch Election Defection at the Gunners Arms on Friday, July 1, from 8pm. Entry is $5 to $10 – your choice.