IDLES frontman Joe Talbot has been open about using music and lyrics to confront his worst fears, his history, his hopes and flaws. In “Never Fight a Man With a Perm”, he delves into a personal past where mutual hatred often escalated into violence.
The video uses Street Fighter II (Turbo) and underground comics animation to illustrate both the comedic angle and the horror of the lyrics: fighting toxic masculinity in two guises: a pumped-up physical one and a more posh, class-based variety of arrogance. In the end, though, love will conquer all.
Writer & Director: Al Brown
Illustration: Russell Taysom
Animation & DOP: Stella Belle Hex
