Help She Can't Swim Review

Single Release Hospital Drama Show
Tonight is the joint single release party/show for Help She Can’t Swim’s Hospital Drama and Chow Chow’s Dear Francis both signed to Fantastic Plastic Records. Skinny jeaned fashionista’s with eager ears anticipate the kick off as Red Stripe flows down indie kid necks of varying ages.
Chow Chow are three dudes oozing energy and inciting excitement amongst onlookers. Clearly adoring what they do; Iain sleazes over the mic with a low slung guitar, while bassist Stu (literally) hops around the stage Tigger sylyie between playing bass and various electro equipment. Nathan smashes the tension out of his drums with all the ease of a secondary nature. Their melodic instrument thrashing encompasses aspects of real punk music, Daft Punk type of techno rock, distorted, often shouted vocals and mucho feedback. Heavy bass lines and Strokes-esque guitar riffs mixed with electro-hip-hop beats are exceedingly addictive. The whole package is rather hardcore and promising thanks to their unique breed of alternative and experimental sound.
It’s time for Tom, Leesey, Tim and Lewis to take to the slightly raised Metro stage. Close enough to touch as they “1, 2, 3” and lash down on their instruments in unison. Ripping through the first track, they pause quickly to catch breath and a humble “Thank you for coming out on a Monday”.
The noise is loaded, weighted with punk and indie tones. They play songs spanning their musical CV, including EP Committing Social Suicide and from the forthcoming album. Mopping sweat from his fringed brow Tom is endearingly modest, nervous even, frequently addressing and thanking the audience before throwing himself back into his guitar. The enthusiasm of HSCS is inspiring, unexpectedly meeting (if not surpassing) the vigour of their predecessors on this evening’s bill, all playing their instruments with vengeance. Leesey however, remains more composed than fellow band mates. She seems content to simply smile, sing and play the keys. She dedicates one song to her girlfriend and her girlfriends’ mum who are both present at the front of the audience. She reminds me of Candida Doyle. However, instead of Pulp’s indie-pop sound met with (fantastic) kitchen-sink lyrics, Help She Can’t Swim create something super-charged and heavy, closer to the essence of Muse than the aforementioned pioneers of the scene.
“I went to a party spelt P.I.T.Y…” the opening barrage of new single Hospital Drama. Feet are stomping on and off stage to this thrashing, throttling little number. Dance, electro, good old-fashioned indie and a dabbing of drama make this a particularly agreeable track about getting wasted at a party. Obviously something the fans can relate to as they sing along with gusto. If tonight is anything to go by, which it is, the impending album is something to look forward to for those who like their music, a loud raw melting pot of edgy musical influences.