Animals That Swim

The band was initially formed by brothers Hugh Barker and Hank Starrs (born Jeffery Barker), Animals That Swim — the group of beaten-looking thirtysomethings that [Hank] fronts — are the vehicle for his observations, and having enjoyed a penurious existence for eight years, this gig, after a three-year gap, represents a suitably down-at-heel return to public performance. The group's evident poverty is only matched, however, by the richness of their music. The band was inactive from 2001 to 2011, although Snowstorm issued a best of compilation album, Faded Glamour in 2004, with sleevenotes by Hugh Barker. ==Recent updates==

In 2007 frontman and lead singer Hank Starrs – now a film producer — made a brief comeback to guest on the single "Direct Hit" with English art-pop group Art Brut. Hugh Barker works as a literary editor and is co-author of Faking It, a book about authenticity in music. His second book Hedge Britannia was published by Bloomsbury in March 2012. Al Barker went to university as a mature student and now works as communications manager for an education foundation in London. The band were asked to play gigs in London in 2008 2010, 2012 and 2020, but they declined. In 2009, former Animals That Swim and Goya Dress bassist Terry De Castro (better known as a member of Cinerama and The Wedding Present) released a cover version of the group's song "East St. O'Neill" on her solo album A Casa Verde. In March 2011, the band recorded two new songs, "Tiny Lucifer" and "Silver Rays", which were released online. Plans to record more songs are currently on hold as the band have been unable to find enough spare time or energy to do it. Workshy was re-released in 2017 with some remixed demos on a bonus disc or download by One Little Independent records. (previously One Little Indian) In July 2017 Del blew on some tunes for the Chasing Chevrons EP by South London song-smith Jamie Skint. ==Band members==

• Hugh Barker – guitar • Hank Starrs – vocals, drums • Al Barker – keyboards, guitar • Del Crabtree – bass guitar, trumpet ==Discography==

Studio albums • Workshy (1994) • I Was the King, I Really Was the King (1996) • Happiness From A Distant Star (2001) Compilation albums • Faded Glamour: The Best of Animals That Swim (2004) Singles and EPs • "King Beer" (7", 1992) • "Roy"/"Weary Mind" (7", 1993) • "50 Dresses" EP (10", 1993) • "Madame Yevonde" (7"/CD, 1994) • "Pink Carnations" EP (7"/CD, 1995) • "The Greenhouse" (7"/CD, 1996) • "Faded Glamour" (7"/CD, 1996) • "The Moon And The Mothership" (7"/CD, 2001) • "All Your Stars Are Out" (7", 2001) • "Tiny Lucifer"/"Silver Rays" (download, 2011) ==References==