'I retired as a teacher - now I'm a punk rocker'

Steph Smith said the project had attracted bands of different genres and styles

"Punk to me is simple, passionate, creative and it's loud," says 73-year-old retired science teacher Steph Smith, who had only played classical guitar up until two years ago.

Now, she's one of dozens of women, many over the age of 60, who have started playing a new instrument and joined a band.

They all signed up to the Leicester-based Unglamorous Music project, which encouraged women to write and play their own music.

The project came to an end after founder, Ruth Miller, died from breast cancer in October 2023, aged 61.

But those who have been involved with the collective want to continue to motivate underrepresented people to rock out on stage in her memory.

Steph, from Leicester, who was the oldest member of the project, said joining the group had been "life-changing" for her.

Steph said she was looking forward to helping more people get into music

"Before Unglamorous I was a retired science teacher and all my friends were older people," she said.

"I was trying to find things to occupy myself; I tried quilting and things like that but nothing stuck.

"I'd been a classical guitarist for decades, since my 40s, so I thought I'd give it a go but I didn't know what to expect.

"In my first session I was faced by Ruth who said she's booked my debut gig in 60 days' time.

"Now I'm always writing songs and gig a couple of times a month with my band Velvet Crisis. It's certainly changed my life."

The project was started in 2021 in response to there being no female-only bands who operated in the city.

Since then, the local punk scene has blown up, with 20 groups being started by women who have being involved with the collective – many of whom had never picked up an instrument before.

Boilers, featuring Chrissie Riedhofer (left) and Alison Dunne (middle), started after joining the project

The project, which is being taken forward under a new name, will see new taster workshops led by graduates of the Unglamorous Music project.

The workshops are for any women who would be interested in getting involved at Stayfree Music on 24 November and 8 December.

Steph, who retired nine years ago, will be helping tutor some of the new starters with fellow project member Chrissie Riedhofer.

Alison Dunne, a drummer and vocalist in her band Boilers, said "people come to watch our band and it's like being in 1977 again".

"The whole thing about punk is you can just step up there and do it as long as you've got ideas," she said.

"Women can come to give it a go even if they're absolute beginners – we'll show them how to play an instrument.

"A lot of the ladies are surprised that we get them together and form a song in just a couple of hours. There's no messing about here!"

An exhibition showcasing the journey of the Unglamorous Music Project will be on display at the Leicester Museum and Art Gallery until 14 February.

Chrissie Riedhofer will be helping to lead the workshops