The Cold Water Swimmers played their debut gig in May 2018 in Manchester’s Northern Quarter area which I attended. At the time I was struck by how raw and direct they came across. Fronted by Chris Bridgett on guitar and vocals he’s been part of the Manchester music scene for quite a while now. He previously played in Dub Sex (one of John Peel’s “lost” bands, Rude Club and Grafters of Denton. Bass is provided by Carrie Lawson and with Selina Woolnough on drums, they create a very tight unit.
Having recently celebrated their first birthday with a gig in a boxing ring in Salford there’s certainly nothing boring about the trio. On March 18th they release their double A-side Summer Breeze/I’ll Be Your Witness.
Summer Breeze starts with a thumping bass line and drum that brings to mind Kim Deal of the Breeders/Pixies. Then Bridgett’s vocal comes in searing and honest and his crunchy guitar. His voice is haunting and succinctly expresses the agonies of what at times can be a brutal world. I no longer listen to the words that you say, they’re just words and I brush them away. Then the song explodes with a surge of energy. It has a great guitar hook that really grabs hold of you and won’t let go. I heard this track recently and can’t get the refrain Open up the window if you want to catch the summer breeze out of my head. Always a good sign.
I’ll Be Your Witness is a darker, more ominous affair. I hope that you choke on the words that you spoke, they come back to haunt you, daunt you, that’s no joke… It has an air of menace with Bridgett holding centre-stage to what is a very foreboding song with intense melodies, driving drum and bass guitar. As Chris says: I’ll Be Your Witness is a reminder that everything you say and do, counts, be that good or bad…”
It looks like the Cold Water Swimmers are starting to make waves. They’ve recently played a gig on March 8th for Birds On A Wire Does Women’s Day. On March 30th they’re playing the You Are Not Alone Festival in Manchester and on April 17th at the Salty Dog Northwich.
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