Haemostatic Picnic Races

by Simon T Diplock

Learn the name before they race away.

"A wonderfully hyperactive mix of hopped-up punk, streamlined pop and gently mathy rock, HPR make a big noise for a small band, and one that leaves other young bands in the smoggy distance and shoots for the stars."

Alright, alright so no matter what they look, sound, or even smell like, the first thing you’re going to notice about South East foursome Haemostatic Picnic Races is that name. But you’ve just got to trust New-Noise when we say that your puzzled look should only last for a few milliseconds, because really, there are much greater things to get to grips with here.

If you’re staring at the name down the side of a CD then you’ve probably got the band’s recently released debut full-length, ‘Helios! These Are Instructions’, in your hands. A wonderfully hyperactive mix of hopped-up punk, streamlined pop and gently mathy rock, the record is a big achievement for a small band, one that leaves their previous EPs in the smoggy distance and shoots for the stars. The band (HPR for short thank goodness) have been compared to Bloc Party, The Fall Of Troy and Minus The Bear in the past but this thing has a strong soul and solid sound all of its own.

If you’re gazing at the name on a gig poster then the boys are probably about to blow you away with their live show. Just this year guitarist Jonny, bassist Josh, drummer Rob and frontman Jake have had acts like Kill The Arcade, Enter Shikari, The Ghost Of A Thousand and Blood Red Shoes sweating with their super-tight support slots and have travelled even further afield to their own shows, including a sold-out album-release party in darkest Tunbridge Wells.

And if, intrigued, you’ve clicked on the name online, you’re about to get sucked into HPR’s gloriously fun, free and colourful world. See, while boys in bands are supposed to look a certain way right now, HPR’s vivid artwork and varied wardrobe will ensure, just as much as their diverse tunes, that they don’t fit into any dry style or regimented scene. In fact, if you do want a box to put them in, they’re probably quite capable of starting a whole new one just for themselves to sit and excel in.

New-Noise aren’t the only ones who have noticed how good the band are either. Both the Big Scary Monsters and Small Town record labels have put their name on the back of HPR CDs, Rock Sound and Big Cheese magazines have given them top marks and even Radio 1 have been keeping a keen eye of their progress. In short, all funny names aside, this little lot are brilliant and have a very bright future indeed. Learn the name now before they race away.
Simone [V.I.P] said on December 13th 2007 [report abuse]

wow so i found this band on here...there awesome =]

??? said on March 9th 2008 [report abuse]

where can i get more pics of this band? please post a comment on here and help me out thanks

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