Trash Kit

Trash Kit is a pivotal trio in the London DIY post-punk scene, formed in 2008. The band is a primary vehicle for Rachel Aggs, whose distinctive guitar playing - characterized by clean, treble-heavy, interlocking patterns - bridges the gap between 1970s UK post-punk (The Raincoats, The Slits) and West African highlife and soukous traditions.

This cross-cultural melodic sensibility is paired with Rachel Horwood’s inventive drumming, which eschews standard rock tropes for more circular, polyrhythmic structures. The band’s evolution from their self-titled 2010 debut to 2019’s 'Horizon' shows a progression from raw, No Wave-influenced brevity toward more expansive, melodic compositions. Culturally, they are deeply embedded in the queer and feminist DIY communities, with members also playing in influential acts like Shopping, Sacred Paws, and Electrelane. Critical consensus highlights their ability to reclaim post-punk as a space for joy and rhythmic exploration rather than just angst. They remain a vital reference point for the 'Upset The Rhythm' label aesthetic, emphasizing spontaneity, intellectual curiosity, and a 'party-punk' ethos.