Animals That Swim

Animals That Swim were a musical group formed c.1989 in London, UK by brothers Hugh Barker (guitar) and Hank Starrs (voice and drums). The group's line-up eventually also included a third brother, Al Barker (guitar), plus Del Crabtree on trumpet. The group's bassists were Charlie Luciano (original line-up), then Crabtree, Dave Harris (1991), Lenie Mets (1991-3), Anthony Coote (1993-6) and Terry De Castro (2000-1).

Animals That Swim released their first single, "King Beer" in 1992 on their own Beachheads In Space label, but came to wider attention with their next two singles, "Roy" (which took the form of an imaginary conversation with the ghost of Roy Orbison) and "50 Dresses". The group won critical acclaim for their mixture of "slice of life" lyrics and magic realism, and their distinctive use of the trumpet as a lead instrument.

The group released three albums: "Workshy" (1994), "I Was The King, I Really Was The King" (1996) and "Happiness From A Distant Star" (2001), plus a compilation, "Faded Glamour - The Best of Animals That Swim" (2004).

In 2007 frontman and lead singer Hank Starrs made a brief comeback to guest on the single "Direct Hit" with English Art-pop group Art Brut.

Hank Starrs is now a film director/producer and writer.

Hugh Barker is co-author of "Faking It", a book about authenticity in music.

Al Barker went to university and got a degree in history and journalism in 2007. He now works in music, theatre and tourism.

The band were asked to play gigs in London in 2008. They declined, for the time being.

External links

* [http://www.animalsthatswim.co.uk Animals That Swim fansite]
* [http://www.paper-jam.co.uk/articles/underrated-bands---or---are-animals-that-swim-the-most-underrated-band-of-all-time Are Animals That Swim The Most Underrated band Of All Time?]
* [http://www.paper-jam.co.uk/reviews/49 Review of the Best Of album on paper-jam.co.uk]
* http://fakingit.typepad.com "Faking It" blog
* http://www.anthonycoote.co.uk/index.htm