Portland noise-puns Help were founded on a sentiment of being pro-human and responding to the evil machines and systems that hold down human beings. The trio of Ryan Neighbors (guitar/vocals), Morty (bass), and Bim Ditson (drums) have a history of performing in more restrained bands like Ditson who has been part of indie-rock outfit And And And, and Neighbors, who served as keyboardist and didgeridoo player for Portugal. The Man.
Now, with Help, the trio are returning to the punk roots of their teens. “Everyone is angry,” says Neighbors. “Make some art about it.”
Today, Help are debuting their latest track “Black Cloud” off of their upcoming EP Courage. A big, noisy rocker, the guitars in this song ring out like sirens to break through the monotony of daily life and wake you up to the needs of the world around you. The half-spoken lyrics offer the kind of anger that the world needs.
“Black Cloud is the poppiest song we will ever write,” says Neighbors. “It is so catchy and destined to skyrocket us to stardom, which is why we make music. The only reason. But really, this song is just about being a burden. No matter what, someone is going to have a problem with you. There isn’t enough salt, or there is too much salt; it’s never right. I was on a long run of being manipulated and having no clue what reaction I would get day to day just from existing in this earth. ‘I grabbed you lunch,’ ‘Well it’s not what I wanted.’ It made me want to stop being a nice person, but guess what, I’m the nicest fucking person.”
Check out the track below.
“Courage” is being released on Streaming services on Friday. In addition to this single, the band dropped a video recently for another single off the upcoming album called The Consequence, which you can check out below:
Courage is out on October 11, and you can preorder it from Three One G. Follow Help on Instagram and Twitter for future updates.
Photo courtesy of Help
