Ever since their inception a decade ago, Belfast-based artist development company Third Bar have kicked more ass than a hobnail boot clad Kraken. Co-run by Davy Matchett and Gary Lightbody, over the last ten years they’ve emerged as the patron saints of sonic thrills and mentored, managed and masterminded campaigns by a veritable squad of NI acts including Desert Hearts, Wonder Villains, A Plastic Rose, Robyn G Shiels and more.

On July 9, the company raises the, erm, bar once more (sorry) when they release the tellingly titled 12 inch EP ‘The Fight Is Not Over.’ Featuring four of the north’s finest and (in some cases) ferocious acts, Sister Ghost, Strange New Places, Gender Chores and Problem Patterns have joined forces for a life affirming live record that is imbued by the spirit of protest music.

A record which rages against the machine with the best of them (we’ve had a sneaky advance listen and can confirm it’s one of the best EP’s of the year), each act contributes a track and the vinyl is wrapped in a gorgeous cover courtesy of Jacky Sheridan which calls to mind the iconic comic Love And Rockets by the Hernandez Brothers.

All profits from ‘The Fight Is Not Over’ will be donated to The 343, an artist-focused, feminist-led queer arts space in east Belfast and you can buy the vinyl here and from your local record emporium from July 9 for the price of a couple of pints of Harp and a packet of dates (congratulations/commiserations if you caught the reference!).

‘The Fight Is Not Over’ will also be available on all digital platforms from July 9.

Tracklist:
1. ‘Fake Friends Run This Country’ by Sister Ghost
2. ‘Mr Gumble’ by Strange New Places
3. ‘Territory’ by Gender Chores
4. ‘Sell By Date’ by Problem Patterns

‘The Fight Is Not Over’ is a live EP which captures the protest music of four of Belfast’s most vocal and impassioned bands: Sister Ghost, Strange New Places, Gender Chores and Problem Patterns. Get it on vinyl and on all digital platforms from July 9th pic.twitter.com/OTHInJFfoN

— Third Bar (@thirdbarbelfast) June 24, 2020