All Hail Hyena

by Karen Shaw

Lancashire’s pyjama-clad punk band, All Hail Hyena, are ready to shake up Colne Muni this summer.

On June 5th, the alt-punk trio will bring their chaotic energy, witty lyrics, and unpredictable antics to the stage to celebrate their 10th anniversary. They’re promising a night the town won’t forget.

“We’ve got a lot in store,” grins frontman Jay Stansfield, guitarist and lead vocalist for the band. “We’ve themed the whole show. The first half is called School Night Rebellion, which makes sense, since it’s a Thursday night in the middle of GCSE season!”

Founded in 2014 by Jay and bassist Tom Cross, the band later welcomed drummer Rob Ashworth to complete the lineup. All three hail from across Pendle and Burnley, and their love for music has kept the band going strong for a decade.

All Hail Hyena

You might know All Hail Hyena from their flamboyant gigs or their now-iconic sleepwear stage outfits, but many were introduced to the band via a viral video back in 2023. “Our number one fan, Jeff, brought his brother Baz to a rehearsal in Burnley,” Jay recalls. “Baz was blown away. Later, for his birthday and wedding anniversary, his wife arranged for us to play in their garden. We set up a marquee in secret while he was at the pub.”

What started as a thoughtful gesture exploded online. “Baz uploaded the video to Reddit—it ended up with 70 million views,” Jay says. “That changed everything. We had no idea it would take off like that. Suddenly, Stranger’s Song, the track in the video, hit over a million streams on Spotify. It changed our lives.”

“It’s intense, it’s in-your-face, and sometimes even a bit ethereal. We want people to feel changed.”

The band has previously opened for Ultrasound and supported California rockers Grandaddy at Manchester’s Albert Hall, but their upcoming show at Colne Muni marks their biggest headline performance to date. All Hail Hyena are determined to make a lasting impression on their hometown crowd. “The Colne scene is so welcoming,” says frontman Jay Stansfield. “There’s a real appreciation for original music here, which is something we’ve always championed.” To celebrate the occasion, Halifax brewery Darkland Brewery has even created a special IPA for the band’s after-party at Mojo’s, aptly named All Ale Hyena.

All Hail Hyena

Jay is clear: All Hail Hyena is not your average band, and their upcoming Muni gig is far from a run-of-the-mill performance. “It’s an interactive show,” he warns with a smile. “The second half of the night is themed around the end of the world. It’s intense, it’s in-your-face, and sometimes even a bit ethereal. We want people to feel changed.”

The band’s high-octane live sets blend chaos and connection, with critics praising their unique style. “John Robb said we fit more into one song than most bands do in an entire set,” Jay says.

Their shows are anything but predictable, and that’s the point. “People are too used to hearing what they already know,” Jay explains. “We’ve become reliant on tribute acts and covers, and that sense of discovery is lost. But you can’t truly discover a new original band online; it just doesn’t work. You’ve got to experience it.”

The show is set to be an unforgettable night of musical mayhem and joyful rebellion. “We’re taking over the Muni,” Jay laughs. “They don’t know that yet, though!”