Gertrude release their self- produced 3rd album Speak, Shape, Create Time, recorded over the past 2 years in RampART squat, East London and Bentstring Studio in Islington in London. The band put together a make shift mobile recording unit and with the openness of their inter band relationships, spanning 12 years, developed their engineering and mixing skills, resulting in a new melting pot of sound. The new album is punk, but not as we know it! A diverse collection of dynamic songs with subjects ranging from ‘Doing Dangerous Things’ to ‘Cyber Junkies’ and, more bizarrely, ‘Elephants’. The Gertrude vibe is upbeat and inspirational, their music is agit-prop post-punk. Live, Gertrude are intense, rhythmic and always entertaining. The addition of electric cello, melodica and clarinet add interweaving and colourful layers. Gertrude’s lyrics critique the world we live in and often have a socially conscious and ironic slant. “They’re excellent live with their anarchic cross fertilisation and it’s impossible not to bounce and smile and be happy at a Gertrude gig.” www.organart.demon.co.uk To date Gertrude have supported some big names in Underground music including Ari Up’s The Slits, NoMeansNo, Fugazi and Shellac. Gertrude were pleased to be asked to play for specially commissioned punk robots at the ICA in 2008. This resulted in the robots neuro transmitters going haywire – much to the delight of the dancing crowd. The sound of Gertrude constantly evolves, as described by Musician magazine: “..Gertrude evokes the Raincoats (quirky melodies and perky vocals), the Cardiacs (rug-pull chord progressions and tempo changes) and even Sonic Youth (some thrilling detuned guitar volleys), the all female four piece has whipped up an addictive art-rock concoction...” Gertrude have previously released three limited edition EPs and two albums on their own label, Urban MiSSfits, ‘Up The Wrong Tree’ (2003) and ‘Fetch The Parrot Blanket’ (2006). This album includes the track “Jello from The Sky” which appears on the Peace Not War compilation (2003-2004) alongside artists such as Jane’s Addiction, Sonic Youth, Faithless and Ani Difranco.