Although Brighton’s Alt-folk troupe The Self Help Group have been charming local and festival audiences since 2009, it wasn’t until 2015 that they released their debut album Not Waving, But Drowning. In his album review, Neil MacFadyen described their music as “drawing on influences from both sides of the Atlantic” and as “polished arrangements and songs abundant with narrative splendour.”
While they are a band that’s difficult to pin down, “Americana? Yes…. but then again, I think not. The Self Help Group are one of those bands who just won’t allow a label to stick, which is very rarely a bad thing.” They are, he also declared, one of Brighton’s best-kept secrets.
That all said, they are back with a song about the finger…the middle finger, to be precise. The Finger is an uptempo, driving and melodic song that ponders why, if at all, it’s wrong to show someone your middle finger.
“People have been giving each other “the finger” since Ancient Greece. The first documented use is said to be a photograph from 1886 in which the pitcher for the Boston Beaneaters extends his middle finger to the camera (ostensibly to the rival New York Giants). Even though it’s been around for so long, many still find the gesture offensive enough to try to bring criminal charges. Courts have ruled that “flipping the bird” is a form of speech protected by the First Amendment. It’s not a crime to be obnoxious. But there’s a man in Oregon named Robert Ekas who tests the limits of free speech by giving the finger to every police officer that he sees. Thanks to the podcast “Criminal” for highlighting the story………”
Watch the video below:
The Finger is out now and available via Bandcamp and streaming services.
More here: https://www.theselfhelpgroup.com/