{{Short description|English DIY punk/post-riot grrrl group}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}} {{Use British English|date=July 2016}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = The Ethical Debating Society | image = The ethical debating society.jpg | landscape = | years_active = 2009–present | caption = | origin = [[London]] | genre = [[Riot grrrl]], [[punk rock|punk]], [[post punk]] | label = [[Odd Box Records|Odd Box]], [[Tuff Enuff Records|Tuff Enuff]], [[HHBTM]] | website = [http://theethicaldebatingsociety.bandcamp.com/ TEDS Bandcamp] | current_members = Tegan Christmas<br>Kris Martin<br>Lu | past_members = Eli Tupa<br>Rob Macabre<br>Lauren Darling<br>Chris Morris<br>Su }}
'''The Ethical Debating Society''' (aka T.E.D.S.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thezineuk.co.uk/single-post/2016/08/07/LOUD-WOMEN-Fest-%E2%80%93-September-2016-London|title=The Zine UK|website=The Zine UK|access-date=25 October 2017}}{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>) are a three-piece [[DIY culture|DIY]] [[punk rock|punk]], post-[[riot grrrl]]{{r|guardian}} group from [[London]].{{r|norman|hackney}} They have been described as "one of the most exciting DIY bands" in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gigslutz.co.uk/interview-ethical-debating-society/|title=INTERVIEW: The Ethical Debating Society|publisher=Gigslutz|date=2016|first=Gabriel|last=Ebulue|access-date=2016-05-10}}</ref>
==History== Initially a solo project for vocalist/guitarist Tegan Christmas, The Ethical Debating Society formed as a band in 2009 with Lauren Darling (guitar) and Chris Morris (drums).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicosity.co.uk/node/3725|title=The Ethical Debating Society|publisher=Musicosity|access-date=2016-05-10}}</ref> They received an early name-check in [[The Guardian]] from [[Everett True]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2009/sep/14/myths-riot-grrrl-cribs-takeover|title=The 10 myths of Riot Grrrl|first=Everett|last=True|date=14 September 2009|access-date=25 October 2017|website=Theguardian.com}}</ref> Recordings made with producer [[Collapsed Lung (band)|Ant Chapman]] were initially unreleased, although two tracks were included on a later EP.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Ethical-Debating-Society-Hens-Teeth/release/6696675|title=The Ethical Debating Society - Hens Teeth|website=Discogs.com|date=29 September 2014 }}</ref> By 2010 Darling and Morris had left and Tegan continued with a varying line up<ref name="Lane">{{cite web|url=http://www.buzzinmusic.co.uk/the-ethical-debating-society-punk-rock-riot-grrrl/5185|title=The Ethical Debating Society - Punk Rock Riot Grrrl!|publisher=Buzzin Music|first=Terry|last=Lane|date=2012-03-09|access-date=2016-05-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hackneycitizen.co.uk/2011/03/16/winning-the-argument-the-ethical-debating-society/|title=Winning the argument: the Ethical Debating Society - Hackney Citizen|website=Hackneycitizen.co.uk|date=16 March 2011 |access-date=25 October 2017}}</ref> until the group settled as Tegan with Eli Tupa<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/riot-grrrl-christmas-mw0002892052/credits|title=Riot Grrrl Christmas - Various Artists - Credits - AllMusic|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=25 October 2017}}</ref> and Kris Martin<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/2854159-Ethical-Debating-Society-The%20Discogs|title=The Ethical Debating Society|website=Discogs.com|access-date=2016-05-10}}</ref> in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indietracks.co.uk/indietracks-interview-4-the-ethical-debating-society/|title=Indietracks interview #4: The Ethical Debating Society|website=Indietracks.co.uk|date=2015-05-29|access-date=2016-05-10|first=Mike|last=Noon|archive-date=7 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707165929/http://www.indietracks.co.uk/indietracks-interview-4-the-ethical-debating-society/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The band played a number of early gigs around the [[UK]] [[queercore]] scene, with [[Ste McCabe]], [[Brontez Purnell|The Younger Lovers]] and others;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://joinourteaparty.org/2011/08/|title=August - 2011 - Storm in a Teacup London|website=Joinourteaparty.org|access-date=25 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fasthearts.com/category/Listen-To-This/|title=Slow Songs For Fast Hearts: Listen To This|first=Melissa Steiner, Katie|last=Graham|website=Fasthearts.com|access-date=25 October 2017}}</ref> following an appearance on [[Brighton]] queercore label [[Tuff Enuff Records]]’s 2012 compilation ''Why Diet When You Could Riot?''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collapseboard.com/reviews/albums-reviews/various-why-diet-when-you-could-riot-tuff-enuff/|title=Album reviews: Various - Why Diet When You Could Riot? (Tuff Enuff)|publisher=COLLAPSE BOARD|date=2012-09-23|access-date=2016-05-10}}</ref> gigs with [[Shrag]] and [[Tunabunny]] led to a split [[single (music)|single]] with London’s [[Skinny Girl Diet]] on [[US]] label [[Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records]] in 2013.<ref name=girlsare_2013_split>{{cite web|url=http://www.thegirlsare.com/2013/06/07/review-skinny-girl-diet-ethical-debating-society/|title=Review: Skinny Girl Diet/The Ethical Debating Society|website=Thegirlsare.com|date=2013-06-07|first=Stephanie|last=Phillips|access-date=2016-05-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thevinyldistrict.com/storefront/2013/06/graded-on-a-curve-skinny-girl-diet-ethical-debating-society-split-7-inch-ep/ |title=Graded on a Curve: Skinny Girl Diet, Ethical Debating Society, split 7-inch EP |publisher=The Vinyl District |date=2013-06-05|first=Joseph|last=Neph|access-date=2016-05-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bigtakeover.com/recordings/skinny-girl-diet-ethical-debating-society-split-7-hhbtm|publisher=The Big Takeover|title=Skinny Girl Diet/Ethical Debating Society - split 7″ (HHBTM) |date=2013-07-12|first=Chuck|last=Foster|access-date=2016-05-10}}</ref> A cassette/download [[Extended Play|EP]] on Tuff Enuff - "Hens Teeth" - followed in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thegirlsare.com/2014/10/18/read-all-about-it-the-ethical-debating-society/ |title=Read All About It: The Ethical Debating Society|publisher=the girls are|date=2014-10-18|first=Ngaire|last=Ruth|access-date=2016-05-10}}</ref>
In 2015, The Ethical Debating Society's debut album ''New Sense'' was released on [[Odd Box Records]] following audio and video previews,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://overblown.co.uk/the-ethical-debating-society-cover-up-overblown-track-premiere/|title=The Ethical Debating Society - Cover Up (Oberblown Track Premiere)|date=2015-05-20|first=Jamie|last=Coughlan|access-date=2016-05-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://alreadyheard.com/post/123112121993/already-heard-video-premiere-the-ethical-debating|title=Already Heard Video Premiere: The Ethical Debating Society - Sum Of My Parts|publisher=Already Heard|access-date=2016-05-10|archive-date=20 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150820174751/http://alreadyheard.com/post/123112121993/already-heard-video-premiere-the-ethical-debating|url-status=dead}}</ref> and received positive reviews from SoundsXP,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soundsxp.com/artman2/publish/albums/The_Ethical_Debating_Society_-_New_Sense_Album_Review.shtml|title=The Ethical Debating Society New Sense Album Review|publisher=SoundsXP|date=2015-07-05|first=Kev|last=W|access-date=2016-05-10}}</ref> Collapse Board,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collapseboard.com/song-of-the-day-2/the-return-of-everett-true-141-the-ethical-debating-society/|title=The return of Everett True : 141. The Ethical Debating Society|publisher=COLLAPSE BOARD|first=Everett|last=True|date=2015-04-06|access-date=2016-05-10}}</ref> Louder Than War<ref>{{cite web|url=http://louderthanwar.com/the-ethical-debating-society-new-sense-album-review/|title=The Ethical Debating Society 'New Sense' album review|publisher=Louder Than War|date=2015-02-15|first=Ngaire|last=Ruth|access-date=2016-05-10}}</ref> and others,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stereosanctity.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/the-ethical-debating-society-new-sense.html|date=2015-09-17|title=The Ethical Debating Society – New Sense LP|publisher=Stereo Sancity|access-date=2016-05-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://beautifulfreaks.nl/reviews/2015/07/the-ethical-debating-society-new-sense/|title=The Ethical Debating Society – New Sense|publisher=Beautiful Freaks|date=2015-07-16|first=Caspar|last=Jacobs|access-date=2016-05-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collective-zine.co.uk/reviews/?id=10102|title=The Ethical Debating Society: New Sense|publisher=Collective Zine|date=2015-07-29|access-date=2016-05-11}}{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radioshower.com/2015/07/new-lp-highlight-ethical-debating.html|title=NEW! LP HIGHLIGHT: The Ethical Debating Society - New Sense|publisher=Interstellar Radio Shower|access-date=2016-05-11}}{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fearandloathingfanzine.com/record-reviews-september-december-2015.html|title=RECORD REVIEWS SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER 2015|website=Fearandloathingfanzine.com|access-date=25 October 2017}}</ref> with radio support including [[BBC Radio 6]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/d9327d3a-4320-4ccb-90a2-3d48eaf23ecf|title=The Ethical Debating Society|publisher=BBC Music|access-date=2016-05-10|archive-date=31 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231225014/https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/d9327d3a-4320-4ccb-90a2-3d48eaf23ecf|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Dandelion Radio|Dandelion]] and [[Artrocker]] Radio. The album was produced by [[Witching Waves (band)|Mark Jasper]] at Sound Savers studio. Album track "Razor Party" (written by former drummer Rob) was voted #32 in the 2015 [[John Peel]] memorial '[[Festive 50]]' compiled by [[Dandelion Radio]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dandelionradio.com/2015festive50.htm|title=2015 Festive Fifty results|publisher=Dandelion Radio|access-date=2016-05-11}}</ref>
The band supported [[Jack Off Jill]] at their final show, at [[Heaven (nightclub)|Heaven]] in London,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jennymugridge.com/music/music-reviews/jack-off-jill-reunion/|title=Jack off Jill, or One Night to Relive My Youth|date=7 January 2016|website=Jennymugridge.com|access-date=25 October 2017}}</ref> and played with [[Shonen Knife]] on the London date of that band's 2016 tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dingwalls.com/event/shonen-knife-bruja/|title=Damnably Presents: Shonen Knife + Leggy - Dingwalls Live Music Venue|website=Dingwalls.com|access-date=25 October 2017|archive-date=25 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025185644/http://dingwalls.com/event/shonen-knife-bruja/|url-status=dead}}</ref> They played at [[Indietracks]] 2015, and have also played with [[The Wolfhounds]], [[The Nightingales]], [[The Homosexuals]], [[Hagar the Womb]], [[Prolapse (band)|Prolapse]], [[Bis (Scottish band)|Bis]], [[Lung Leg (band)|Lung Leg]] and [[Darren Hayman]].
In 2013, T.E.D.S. were named as a 'band to watch' by [[Londonist]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://londonist.com/2013/05/air-guitars-at-the-ready-part-two-three-more-london-bands-to-watch|title=Air Guitars At The Ready Part Two: Three More London Bands To Watch|date=24 May 2013|website=Londonist.com|access-date=13 March 2023}}</ref> In 2017, they were included in [[Clash (magazine)|Clash magazine]]'s list of "favourite new groups"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clashmusic.com/features/revolution-grrrl-style-now|title=Revolution Grrrl Style Now|website=Clashmusic.com|date=3 January 2017 |access-date=25 October 2017}}</ref> alongside [[Shopping (band)|Shopping]] and others. In 2019 [[Contactmusic.com|Contactmusic]] called them "one of the best" London DIY bands.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.contactmusic.com/sleater-kinney/news/sleater-kinney-and-more-riot-grrrl-revivalists-we-can-t-get-enough-of_6280449|title=Sleater-Kinney and more Riot Grrrl revivalists we can't get enough of|date=20 June 2019|website=Contactmusic.com|access-date=13 March 2023}}</ref>
==Discography== ===Albums=== *''New Sense'' – [[Odd Box Records]] (UK) 12-inch LP/MP3 (2015)
===EPs/Singles=== *''Live'' EP, self-released, CDr (2011) *Split EP, [[HHBTM Records]], 7-inch (2013) [with Skinny Girl Diet]<ref name=girlsare_2013_split/> *''Hens Teeth'' EP, [[Tuff Enuff Records]], MC/DL (2014) *"London Particular", self-released, DD (2017) *''Mutual Indecision'' EP, Radical Possibilities, MC/DL (2023)
===Compilation appearances=== *"Kill You Last" on ''Why Diet When You Can Diet'', [[Tuff Enuff Records]], LP/DD (2012) *"Kill You Last" on ''MC12'', [[HHBTM Records]], MC (2012) *"Future Imperfect" on ''Keroleen Mixtape #1'', Keroleen Records, MC/DD (2015)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://keroleenrecords.bandcamp.com/album/keroleen-mixtape-1|title=Keroleen Mixtape #1, by Various|website=Keroleen Records|access-date=25 October 2017}}</ref> *"Cover Up" on ''Indietracks Compilation 2015'', [[Indietracks]], DD (2015) *"Riderrr" on ''Odd Box Weekender V'', [[Odd Box Records|Odd Box]], DD (2015) *"[[Run Rudolph Run]]" on ''Riot Grrrl Christmas'', [[Cleopatra Records]], CD/DD (2015)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/riot-grrrl-christmas-mw0002892052|title=Riot Grrrl Christmas - Various Artists - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=25 October 2017}}</ref> *"List of Requirements" on ''Odd Box 2015'', [[Odd Box Records|Odd Box]], DD (2015)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://oddboxrecords.bandcamp.com/album/odd-box-2015|title=Odd Box 2015|publisher=Odd Box Records|access-date=2016-05-11}}</ref> *"Creosote Ideas" on ''Don't Be Left Without Us'', 2CD (2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-46e7-Dont-be-left-without-these-Star-sounds#.VyMZGE0UXcs|title=Don't Be Left Without These Star Sounds|publisher=Morning Star|date=2016-04-25|access-date=29 April 2016|archive-date=1 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601062048/https://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-46e7-Dont-be-left-without-these-Star-sounds#.VyMZGE0UXcs|url-status=dead}}</ref> *"Poor Liam" on ''Loud Women - Volume One'', [[Loud Women|Loud Women Records]], CD (2017) *"Paywall" on ''Kobayashi I: Intergalactic Champions'', Kobayashi Nights Records, CD/DD (2017) *"Yes" on ''Salvage: A DIY Pop Compilation'', Move Under Your Own Power, MC/DD (2018)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fortherabbits.net/2018/10/15/album-premiere-move-under-your-own-power-salvage-a-diy-pop-compilation/|title=[ALBUM PREMIERE] Move Under Your Own Power – Salvage: A DIY Pop Compilation|website=Fortherabbits.net|date=15 October 2018}}</ref> *"Emoticon" on ''#SolidarityNotSilence Compilation (Pt1)'' (2019)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hellhathnofuryrecords.bandcamp.com/album/solidaritynotsilence-compilation-pt1|title=#SolidarityNotSilence Compilation (Pt1), by Hell Hath No Fury Records|website=Hellhathnofuryrecords.bandcamp.com}}</ref>
==Line up== ===Current=== *Tegan Christmas (vocals, guitar) *Lu (drums) *Kris Martin (guitar, vocals)
===Previous=== *Eli Tupa (drums, 2013-2019) *Rob Macabre (drums, 2010-2012) *Dave Burbidge (drums, 2013) *Su (percussion/bvs, 2010-2013) *Lauren Darling (guitar/vocals, 2009) *Chris Morris (drums, 2009)
==References== {{Reflist|refs= <ref name=guardian>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2009/sep/14/myths-riot-grrrl-cribs-takeover|title=The 10 myths of Riot Grrrl|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|first=Everett|last=True|date=2009-09-14|access-date=2016-05-10}}</ref>
<ref name=norman>{{cite web|url=https://www.normanrecords.com/records/154283-the-ethical-debating-society-new-sense-|title=The Ethical Debating Society - New Sense|publisher=Norman Records UK|access-date=2016-05-10}}</ref>
<ref name=hackney>{{cite web|url=http://hackneycitizen.co.uk/2011/03/16/winning-the-argument-the-ethical-debating-society/|title=Winning the argument: the Ethical Debating Society|date=2011-03-16|first=Stephanie|last=Hope|website=Hackneycitizen.co.uk|access-date=2016-05-10}}</ref> }}
{{Authority control}}
==External links== *[http://stereosanctity.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/the-ethical-debating-society-new-sense.html Stereosanctity album review] *[http://www.indietracks.co.uk/indietracks-interview-4-the-ethical-debating-society/ 2015 interview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707165929/http://www.indietracks.co.uk/indietracks-interview-4-the-ethical-debating-society/ |date=7 July 2015 }} *[https://fortherabbits.wordpress.com/2015/07/20/the-ethical-debating-society-in-their-own-words/ 2015 interview] *[http://beautifulfreaks.nl/reviews/2015/07/the-ethical-debating-society-new-sense/ 2015 album review] *[http://www.gigslutz.co.uk/interview-ethical-debating-society/ 2016 interview]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ethical Debating Society, The}} [[Category:Underground punk scene in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Riot grrrl bands]] [[Category:British feminist musicians]] [[Category:English feminists]] [[Category:English punk rock groups]] [[Category:Indie rock groups from London]] [[Category:English indie pop groups]] [[Category:Feminist punk bands]]