The Molotovs – ‘Wasted On Youth’ (Marshall Records)

The Molotovs – ‘Wasted On Youth’ (Marshall Records)

The Molotovs came about through necessity and boredom during the heady days of Covid lockdown. Teenage siblings Mathew (vocals/guitar) and Issie Cartlidge (bass/vocals) started jamming, wrote some songs and formed a band. When the world opened up again, they gigged, and then they gigged some more. And they haven’t stopped since! 600 plus shows later, and they have a ferocious live reputation and friends in high places. A series of high-quality singles, gorilla gigs on flatbed trucks and shows with The Sex Pistols and Blondie finally led to the release of their highly anticipated debut album ‘Wasted On Youth’.

The Molotovs unashamedly flaunt their influences over the course of the album. There are many short, sharp nods to Mod, Punk & New Wave and a heady dose of Brit Pop going on. Punk is certainly prevalent on gnarly opener ‘Get A Life’, a one-minute and forty-second diatribe aimed at the naysayers and the detractors. This angst-ridden mash-up of Weller and The Clash is just the sort of anthem that the disenchanted youth need to get behind. A perfect album opener, a great single choice, and the perfect introduction to the band.

You can’t help but reference The Jam while listening to ‘Wasted On Youth’, their influence is all over the likes of ‘Newsflash’ and ‘Rhythm Of Yourself’, even the emotive ‘Nothing Keeps Her Away’ brings to mind ‘That’s Entertainment’. While there is already a long line of old punks and journalists ready to bring The Molotovs down, I see no problem with anything they do. If the songs are good, then it’s good enough for me. And The Molotovs have some good songs. For a songwriter who has barely left school, Mat shows talent beyond his years; he has a lyrical suss and an ear for a catchy melody. The poignant and emotive ‘Geraldine’ recalls early Manics, with great use of structure and melody. And the title track is Frank Turner at his acerbic best. All leave their mark and warrant repeat listening. If I really want to be picky, they lose it slightly on ‘Come On Now’ and ‘Popstar’. Although both sound like early Adam & The Ants, they do feel a bit like fillers compared to the other tracks.

But they make up for it elsewhere. With its ringing power chords and urgent beats, ‘More More More’ sounds vital. ‘Daydreaming’ is an anthemic Brit Pop pastiche, and album closer ‘Today’s Gonna Be Our Day’ is a call to arms from one youth to another, a song that earns its crown and should feature in playlists worldwide by the end of the year.

At 17 and 19 years of age, Mathew & Issie Cartlidge are still teenagers, yet the sharp-dressed duo somehow capture the bridge between Punk, Mod and Brit Pop with ease, spread over 11 tracks in just over 35 minutes. They are a testament to hard graft in a business that is getting increasingly difficult to make a living in, and if they can get past the Spinal Tap drummer issues and ignore the jealous old punks who refuse to give a new band a break, then maybe, just maybe, The Molotovs can truly make this day their day.

For now, though, ‘Wasted On Youth’ is essential listening as far as I’m concerned. The Molotovs have just booked a tour for later this year. My advice is miss them at your peril.

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Author: Ben Hughes

The Molotovs/Garage Flower – Lending Room, Leeds – 7th January 2026 

The Molotovs/Garage Flower – Lending Room, Leeds – 7th January 2026 

What happens when you take two teenage siblings from the heart of London town with a rock n’ roll dream and something to say, force feed them a diet of Sex Pistols sneer, The Jam’s sharp suss and a heady dose of The Libertines? The Molotovs are what happens. Singer/guitarist Mathew and bassist Issey are just 17 and 19, respectively and have been making a name for themselves the past 2 years, gigging hard. 

With more than 500 shows under their belts, The Molotovs have put in the hard work, and it seems to be paying off. Following support slots with The Sex Pistols and Blondie, a slew of high-energy anthemic singles that nod to the glory days of ‘77 and a debut album due at the end of the month, their time is now….right now. 

First up tonight, though, are local lads Garage Flower, who have the task of warming up the growing crowd. Presumably named after The Stone Roses album of the same name, the four-piece band deliver a high-energy set of guitar-driven, garage rock. Don’t let the baggy jeans, the floppy fringes and their youthful looks deceive you, these boys are no shoegazing indie pretenders.  

With gravelly lead vocals, effect-ridden guitars and a tight rhythm section that gives a funky feel, Garage Flower have more in common sound-wise with the likes of Senseless Things and Mega City 4 than their Manchester heroes. The angst and rawness of ‘Jammy and’ Garage Flower’ also remind me of Aussie rockers The Vines, so they have that grungy, guitar rock thing going on, which is always a good thing.  

With a high-energy, animated set and plenty of crowd interaction from the singer, these hometown boys are worth checking out. Always make it in time for the support band. 

It’s sold out tonight at this, the second date of a UK tour promoting the yet-to-be-released debut album ‘Wasted On Youth’, and The Molotovs are firing on all cylinders from the moment they hit the stage. Singer Mathew spits, snarls and bashes his Rickenbacker like the bastard offspring of Rotten and Weller. Stage left, his sister Issey is a fervent ball of energy as she pulls off moves most couldn’t match, let alone whilst playing an instrument. Behind them, their latest drummer is a blur of flailing arms and urgent beats. 

With a fistful of songs some will know and a set of largely unfamiliar material, the band must rely on raw energy and their ability to entertain to win over a notoriously hard-to-please Leeds crowd, and they pull it off with ease. Opener ‘Urbia’ and the following ‘Newsflash’ are unfamiliar, yet sound mighty. The killer boy/girl “woah-woah’s” add a touch of class to the latter. Bowie’s ‘Suffragette City is up next, it sounds great, but they don’t really need it, their own material stands up. 

‘Johnny Don’t Be Scared’ and ‘More More More’ are modern, mod-tinged anthems that carry some clout and staying power. ‘Rhythm Of Yourself’ was one of the best tunes of last year, it pogos on a bouncy bass line and a very catchy chorus, it was bound to be a live highlight. Of the unfamiliar songs, ‘Wasting My Time’ is gloriously post-punk and ‘No Time To Talk’ sounds like early Manics, which is no bad thing. 

Chat is kept minimal, although we do get the odd quip from a seemingly nonchalant singer who does try to get a reaction from the crowd. Maybe tonight’s demographic was a bit higher than the band are used to, and while the audience may have lacked some energy, the band certainly didn’t. 

Between Mat’s raw, acerbic delivery, Issey’s relentless energy and the drummer’s Keith Moon-esque power, the trio deliver a faultless set of a seasoned touring band. After an incendiary hour set, they wrap things up with a two-song encore, including new single ‘Get A Life’, which was probably my highlight of the night. 

What a way to start off the gigging this year. For me, the Molotovs are the real deal and the full package. They look good, they sound great and are an exciting and entertaining live band. It’s hard to believe they are not even in their 20s yet.  

‘Wasted On Youth’ is a highly anticipated debut album, and I believe you will not get the chance to see them in small venues like this for much longer. The Molotovs are the sound of youth and the world is theirs for the taking. This is just the beginning. 

Author: Ben Hughes