Heavy Lungs

pulverising punk... really fun and catchy as hell” The FACE

“as ferocious on record as they are in the flesh” Bandcamp Daily

“loud, aggressive and bleak, laced with a tinge of humour” DORK

“the good ship Heavy Lungs is definitely on course for greatness” DIY

“like a missile of early eighties punk” NME

“raucous, Rowdy, and altogether great” The Line Of Best Fit

MARCH 31 - Bristol punk outfit Heavy Lungs release new single ‘Mr. Famous’ ahead of 2nd album Caviar out April 18th via FatCat Records. The album release is supported by a mammoth UK/EU tour for April and May (full dates below).

‘Mr. Famous’ is a change of pace for the album.  Whereas the quartet’s speed dial is often jammed beyond breakneck, ‘Mr. Famous’ grooves along at more of a swagger; a sunny 5 minute walk to the local off-license for cigarettes, or a convertible cruise down the Las Vegas strip, take your pick. This parallel-universe imagery speaks to the lyrical themes of the wry desire for increased status, a recurrent theme across the LP.  

On the lyrical inspiration, vocalist Danny Nedelko says:

“Mr Famous is a satirisation of my desire for grandeur. A collection of exaggerated proclamations and God honest truths. Which one is which you ask? I’m Mr Famous, stop bothering me.”

And following on with the the sonic influences, guitarist Oli Southgate offers:

“ A real lo-fi inspired / garage rock riff like The White Stripes if they smoked ganja.”

As alluded to lyrically there are a few topics that are tackled on Caviar. The notion of failure, and trying to navigate that, the feeling of being burnt out and drained, and earning to escape all of these burdens are always close to the surface. A desire for something better than the reality at hand is a major cornerstone of the album as well. 

Referencing the album title, lead vocalist Danny Nedelko explains: “one of the main themes of the record is a longing for a better life that currently seems beyond my grasp. The word caviar always possessed connotations of riches, status and excess. So after one late night conversation we realised it’s the perfect title to summarise this desire for elevated existence and success in one simple yet striking word.”

This may seem wistful, and at times bleak, on the face of it, but there’s a joy to Heavy Lungs’ brutal form of expression. They funnel life’s trials and tribulations through sticky, sweaty catharsis. Or as they put in a simple mantra:

“Write fast. Play fast. Wear earplugs”
 

ABOUT Heavy Lungs
Bursting onto the Bristol scene in 2017, the quartet released their debut record All Gas No Brakes via Alcopop! Records last year, following an impressive arsenal of three Eps, a live BBC 6 Music session recorded and pressed, as well as a split release with long time college sweethearts IDLES.

In terms of influences there’s a melting pot between the four members, which is constantly changing. A few that were kicking around during the recording of Caviar were The Stooges, Danny Brown, Oh Sees, Drain Gang, Ty Segall, Goggs, Queens of the Stone Age, and the theme song from the 90s Spider-Man cartoon.

Recent successes include a recent French tour back in April, being played by Iggy Pop numerous times on his radio show, playing Glastonbury festival and travelling europe. Supporting Potishead,  Idles, Metz, The Oh Sees were special moments too. 

Media attention has come in the form of press backing at NME, Bandcamp Daily, The Line of Best Fit, DIY, DORK and more; and across BBC 6 Music (Steve Lamacq, Iggy Pop).

Heavy Lungs are Danny Nedelko – vocals; Oli Southgate – guitar; James Minchall – bass; George Garratt - drums