“THE DEATH OF NIGHTLIFE” - new album

HELP SHE CAN’T SWIM, the South Coast’s nosiest, angriest and – let’s face it – cleverest foursome are to release their second album “THE DEATH OF NIGHTLIFE” in May 2007 on Fantastic Plastic Records.

Formed at the tail end of 2003 whilst still studying (some of them only graduated last year) HELP SHE CAN’T SWIM have spent the last two years criss-crossing the UK, scorching their own trail in the ground and releasing a series of instantly collectible EPs and an uncompromising battle cry of a debut album ‘FASHIONISTA SUPER DANCE TROUPE’. If you’re looking for a reference point, they declare musical affinity with Blood Brothers and Deerhoof as well as riot-grrl stalwarts Huggy Bear and Shoplifting. They are a band that for once give the “defies categorisation” tag some meaning. “We’ve been called ‘pop with a headache’, ‘a hardcore band masquerading as an indie band’ they say.

Their second full length album, ‘THE DEATH OF NIGHTLIFE' has been several months in the making. With the help of producer Justin Callaway who worked with them right at the start on early demos and on the recent ‘Committing Social Suicide’ EP, the new album sees their riot grrl post-hardcore dragged kicking and screaming into a brave new world.

Whilst ‘Fashionista …’ was the sound of four kids learning the ropes, this shows a more studied effort. As singer Tom explains: “the first record was really bratty and fast. It was written in bursts and we just got all the ideas down quickly. This time we wanted to craft the songs better”. This extra effort is evident in the likes of ‘HOSPITAL DRAMA’ and ‘PASS THE HAT AROUND’, which manages to keep their relentless energy on a leash - just. This is also a band that have matured lyrically. Whilst ‘Bunty Vs Beano’ and ‘What Would Morrissey Say’ were just two of the hilariously bitter shots at pop culture on the debut, here the band are more introspective, and find their music a cathartic release for more personal issues.

‘ HOSPITAL DRAMA’, for instance, is about family illness and death, whilst ‘DRAGGED UNDER A WAVE’ deals with manic depression . HELP SHE CAN’T SWIM’s real skill, though, lies in dealing with such personal issues without resorting to maudlin self-pity. And there’s still plenty to entertain fans of their wry criticism.
Whilst a new album marks a new phase for the band, they’re continuing to tour and recently they supported The Blood Brothers on their UK tour.

HELP SHE CAN’T SWIM are:
Tom Denney (vocals, guitar, keys)
Leesey Frances (vocals, keys)
Tim Palmer (bass)
Lewis Baker (drums)

THE DEATH OF NIGHTLIFE will be released in the UK on May 7th, 2007 and France on June 4th, 2007 on CD, limited vinyl LP & download.

THE DEATH OF NIGHTLIFE – tracklisting
Pass The Hat Around
Idle Chatter
Kite Eating Tree
Hospital Drama
Apes And Pigs At The Vulture Coliseum
I Think The Record’s Stopped
Midnight Garden
Box Of Delights
All The Stars
Just Be Social
Dragged Under A Wave
Never The Right Time For Us

PREVIOUS REVIEWS……………………………………………………………………………

“A 25 minute art-punk whirlwind, respect is due” NME
“ An invigorating 25 minute blast from this intriguing new band” KERRANG!
“ Help She Can’t Swim harken back to a time when Sonic Youth were full of energy” Q
“ psycho-killer, sharp-around-the-edges - this is music for your guts!” PITCHFORK (USA)
“ Help She Can’t Swim have managed to build an awesome wall of sound” INDEPENDENT
“ Creators of one of the best albums of the year” ROCKSOUND
“ One of the best debut albums in years, this is a work of sheer genius” FACT MAGAZINE
“ absolutely bloody sodden brilliant” NME (live)
“ fast, furious & fearless” METRO
“ possibly a masterpiece” SOURCE
“ brilliantly catchy” CITY LIFE
“ post punk thrills” KERRANG! (live)
“ twisted genius” DROWNED IN SOUND