Forres trio Hed Swim record lockdown album with professional producer

A LOCAL band has released an album inspired by, and recorded during, the coronavirus lockdown.

Forres-based Hed Swim, AKA singer Steve Simms, guitarist Dave Martin, and George Sutherland on drums and bass, were forced to record their self-titled second LP from their homes before the parts were put together by professional producer, Colin Macleod, in his Kingussie studio, Moolah Rouge.

Dave explained: "Ideally we would have all been together in Colin's studio and he would have had a hand in all of the recording, instruments used etc. Thankfully we all have home studio set-ups so Colin was able to put everything together including his keys, Hammond organ and percussion parts. It was interesting doing it this way - and tough - but we got a good album out of it!"

Dave confirmed a number of topical issues inspired Hed Swim, including the pandemic.

He said: "Lots of things were a source of inspiration including people in power failing their countries, mental health, the Extinction Rebellion movement, protests, frustration and the importance of asking questions, challenging authority, doing things that are right, making a difference, standing up for yourself and others."

The band formed in 2017 and released debut album 'Little Shiver' plus four singles last year. They have also made music videos with Wildbird and Poppycock Films.

"You can hear lots of influences in our music," said Dave, "including rock, metal, punk, alternative and grunge from the eighties and nineties. We are not trying to fit into any genre, we just play and things start to come out of it that form songs. People will always hear other bands in new music but that's natural - writers and producers are unconsciously influenced by music from their past that is deeply locked into their subconscious."

Dave describes both albums as having a completely different sound, energy and vibe.

He said: "The first is dirtier and grungier and the second has a different tone with an almost 80s goth-style guitar, a bit of punk, metal and alternative. It's a real mixing pot but it works."

The three-piece hope that some of their producers professionalism has rubbed off on them - Colin Macleod was keyboardist in nineties rockers Skin when they toured with Iron Maiden, then Mercury Prize nominees, I Am Kloot.

"Colin has an incredible background in music," said Dave. "He also ran a commercial studio in Manchester and worked with Badly Drawn Boy, The Doves, Johnny Marr and loads of other great bands. He is a total pro' which so it was good to have him actually like what we were doing and want to work with us.

"It was difficult for him because he couldn't be there when we were recording and we all couldn't be together in the same space to work on the tracks, but he made it work. He changed our sound, particularly the guitar tone and additional percussion, and we were happy to go with that.

"Guitar tone was a big change and additional Hammond organ, keys, percussion and effects. We are so happy with it and had such a good time working with him."

Hed Swim - Hed Swim is available on Bandcamp, iTunes and Spotify.