†Hymns†
From: The Midlands, UK
Lazy Equation: (run,WALK! + Nick Cave) – Blakfish
URL: PrayForHymns.Tumblr.com

Thrash Hits Verdict:
When Birmingham-based Blakfish called it a day back at the start of 2010, we’d be lying if we didn’t admit that their news received a mixed response here at Thrash Hits HQ. Their skew-whiff math-rock got a thumbs-up from some, but for others amongst us, it was downright irksome. Those opinions haven’t changed when it comes to &U&I, the band that three quarters of the band then went on to form. But what of Sam Manville – the other quarter of Blakfish? Well, he went and formed †Hymns†. We dropped him an email to find out what’s what with his new band.

—–

Describe your sound in 3 words
quiet, LOUD, quiet

How did you meet?
On-line. I came across Pete [Reisner] drumming along to tracks on youtube and was blown away, dropped him an email and now he’s family.

There’s a considerable stylistic jump from Blakfish to †Hymns† – what precipitated that change in direction?
I’m not sure to be honest. I’m older and have very different circumstances now. I didn’t deliberately change the sound it was just what felt right but I am happy that it’s near impossible for journalists to draw comparisons between †Hymns† and Blakfish (although they undoubtedly will try). I didn’t really want to do anything band orientated again, it just happened.

Why do you use those † symbols when you typeset your band name? Is it part of a wider plan to irritate lazy journalists by forcing them to look at the special characters menu in their respective word processors?
No, it’s because there is a band from New York called Hymns.

Where did you grow up? How do you think it’s affected your music?
I grew up in middle class Birmingham, although as a kid my family were right at the bottom of the middle class ladder, (and no this isn’t a sob story – it’s just the truth). I’m the eldest of four, I have 2 brothers and a sister so there was always someone to play with. My Dad tried to raise us all Roman Catholic so that’s where my un healthy obsession with religion comes from. Besides the obvious religious affect on †Hymns†, there was a massive sub-context that evolved out of nowhere that seemed to focus on the bettering of oneself. I’m still not sure exactly where it comes from but I’m sure its got something to do with growing up or something.

What are your non-musical influences?
An artist called Albrecht Durer mainly, he is phenomenal. That and I’m a history fanatic. Mainly religious and ancient history although I also enjoy keeping up with current affairs. I really want to visit the Middle East and Jerusalem. Oh yeah, that and my wife, (yeah cheesey) but she really is an inspiration: the toughest person I’ve ever met.

Most bands put out wonky demos when they first start – you guys put out a DVD. What’s all that about then?
We started recording a double album ages ago, but due to our lives, and our engineer Paul’s schedule, it’s taken us ages to get it finished. We were asked to release an EP before the album but didn’t want to release the same recordings twice so we decided to do a live DVD instead. I thought it was a pretty neat idea.

Download a demo of ‘Honesty’ by †Hymns† for FREE

So far, what has been the best thing about being in a band?
I really enjoy playing with Pete, we seem to have a very good understanding of each other musically. Apart from that I like the songs. I’d happily just record and release records without touring or doing press but I do want people to hear it, and for that to happen you have to play the game.

With which band would your dream support tour be?
Pete and I were talking about this the other day, probably a now defunct Danish band called Lack. Go listen to ‘Bombing the Moon’.

What bands do you consider as part of your scene or as your peers?
It’s been hard actually, I’ve kind of wanted to stay away from any scene as I really don’t believe that musically we fit in but I suppose a lot of the BSM, Function and Holy Roar bands are genuinely our friends so unwillingly I’d say that’s our scene. I don’t mean that to take anything away from our friends or their bands as we love them all but I just don’t think we fit.

Watch †Hymns† perform ‘Repent & Rebuild’ live:

What marks you out as different to other bands around at the moment?
We write good songs and try to let them speak for themselves, not many people do that anymore. We don’t try and show off, we very rarely change time / key signatures and 95% of the songs are in a conventional structure. That and we make one holy racket for only two people.

What’s the funniest show you’ve played?
The funniest show we’ve played was probably at the Old Bell in Derby a few weeks ago. We didn’t get on stage until about 1am, Paul (our sound engineer) and I were off our faces and I forgot how to play one of our songs. Pete had to remind me. I don’t know if it was funny for anyone else but I thought it was brilliant.

What have you got planned for the future?
Like I mentioned before, we have just finished a double album called Cardinal Sins/Contrary Virtues so that’ll be released. We’ve started demoing the second album too. We’re going to be adding a couple of friends to the ranks for live performances next year, as well as trying to do as few shows as possible.

What other bands should everyone find out about?
Lack, Forget Cassettes and Des Ark.

—-

The debut release from †Hymns† – their live DVD – is out now through Big Scary Monsters and Function Records.  You can pick up a copy of it through the band’s official Big Cartel page.