Swervedriver

fuck off you stupid italics!

― gareth, Wednesday, 20 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Yeah, I saw them here in NYC open for Ned's Atomic Dustbin at the long-since-vanished Marquee (now a Latino dance club called El Flamingo -- `cos y'know, New York really NEEDS another one o' those! Yeah right) and they were a bit yawnsome. Loud, thogh. The Ned's live, on the other hand, were a thing of silly beauty -- lots of leaping about and silly grins.

― Alex in NYC, Wednesday, 20 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Swervedriver are indeed quite glorious -- caught 'em four or five times in the early nineties, and they were great each time. That one show with Monster Magnet and Soundgarden was actually 1992. ;-) Raise in particular still rools, mang.

Somewhere out there is Jez's hilarious tour diary, which I gathered got formally published. The excerpts I read made for great reading.

― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 20 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

The Swerve/Ned's combination was a bit odd -- I caught the LA show as well -- but I enjoyed it, and the Ned's were of course good fun. I would say that.

― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 20 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I think their first 4 singles and the Raise album are among Creation's best releases. I lost a bit of interest after "Never Lose That Feeling" but I know quite a few people who are still well into them, especially in Australia where they seem (rather oddly, like Adorable) to be the most popular......

― electric sound of jim, Wednesday, 20 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

That's cause they RAWKED.

― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 20 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Mezcal Head is quite wonderful, it always ends before I want it too. Last Train To Satanville being one of my favorite of the genre. 99th Dream didnt come out too long ago in Canada sadly but it was pretty good single. Cant remeber much more from the album then it was far too good for the treatment it got.

― Mr Noodles, Wednesday, 20 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

more popular than Hollyfaith?

― keith, Wednesday, 20 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I never really understood why they didn't become high-rotation MTV rock gods, instead of an endearing footnote in the Creation story. Most of 'Raise', early singles and 'Never lose that feeling' all pack quite a punch. Wrong place, wrong faces, wrong time (too ugly)? Was 'Rave Down' a prescient rock statement of defiance in the face of approaching obsolescence? Perhaps their obsession with americana came out the conviction if they'd actually been american they'd have retired to their Californian villas by now.

― stevo, Thursday, 21 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I have fond memories of dancing to rave down at the weekly indie disco at potterrow union in Edinburgh when i was 16 - great days

― leigh, Thursday, 21 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Search: the first couple of eps for sure. Destroy: their shithouse appearance at the Corner Hotel, Melbourne, a few years ago. Boooring. Very disappointed.

― Ben Butler, Friday, 22 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

What you forget is that they'd had a lot of troubles with records company (3-4 times dropped) and they're qualified as the unluckiest band in the world. If they had the same promotion as My Bloody Valentine had, for example, they would certainly have been known as a historical band. I don't think Raise "has its peaks", it is homogenous from the beginning through the end and every single song is a rock'n'roll explosion. The lyrics would pleased HP Lovecraft himself and dreadlocks are so great when not worn by poor fellows in need of hype.

― Bertrand Delanaye, Wednesday, 30 October 2002 11:09 (twenty-three years ago)

Interest in the 'driver has picked up since wossname from The Vines has been namechecking them.. the time is ripe for some reissues.

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Wednesday, 30 October 2002 23:30 (twenty-three years ago)

I had their first album way back and it disappeared when I had a bunch of CDs ripped off. I've been very curious to hear it again, but it is pretty hard to find these days.

There was an interesting interview in The Big Takeover a year or so back that made me want to hear some of their music again.

― earlnash, Thursday, 31 October 2002 02:40 (twenty-three years ago)

i like "the birds" - i only know this because there's a live version in a local radio station's web archive. i saw them live, supporting POWDERFINGER in 1998! and they were both good! (!!!)

― minna (minna), Thursday, 31 October 2002 02:50 (twenty-three years ago)

Just listened to Raise. Goddamn thats one of the best albums ever. The other three aren't too bad either. And then there's the b-sides like "Kill The Superheroes" and "Scrawl And Scream" that are even better than much of their album material. Their music has withstood the test of time so much better than all the Illinois (ill-annoying) loud/soft/loud bands from the 90's (still love Seam though).

Anywho this may have come out of nowhere but I think its sad that so many people who would dig SWD will never hear them. One of my all-time favorite bands and I just wanted to spill and say big ups to those guys for creating some truly amazing music.

― Johnny Badlees (crispssssss), Wednesday, 10 March 2004 23:47 (twenty-two years ago)

i'd like to see a compilation of their EPs. really wish i hadn't sold them all now.

― the surface noise (electricsound), Wednesday, 10 March 2004 23:51 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah, they could put together a hell of a double album with their b-sides. The early ones were the best but even right up til the end - "Good Ships" and the other 99th Dream b-sides were great. I wish they'd done at least one more record. I liked the direction they were going with Jez's computer production.

― Johnny Badlees (crispssssss), Wednesday, 10 March 2004 23:56 (twenty-two years ago)

Also I remember reading a few little bits from Jez's book. Really great stuff - I'd like to tour with those guys. Was it ever published?? Could I find it anywhere??

― Johnny Badlees (crispssssss), Thursday, 11 March 2004 00:05 (twenty-two years ago)

Since my post above, I did track down a copy of "Raise" and it held up quite well. The guitar riff for "Son of Mustang Ford" is a thing of beauty.

I found and ordered a used copy of "Mescal Head" last weekend, which should be here any day now.

― earlnash, Thursday, 11 March 2004 00:10 (twenty-two years ago)

I just picked up copies of both Raise and Mezcal Head; Raise I already had, but it was $3 and I was able to sell it for $30 a day later; but Mezcal Head I'd never heard. It was $3 too. And fuck if it isn't brilliant! I can't believe I never picked this up before.

― kyle (akmonday), Friday, 22 July 2005 04:56 (twenty years ago)

Kill The Superheroes is an awesome track, there's some great guitar bits in there... I hadn't heard Swervedriver until very recently (last week?), when I finally got around to getting some. I'd heard the name bandied about every now and then, but considering how good this is, I'm surprised it's not more of a canonical item, ya know?

― Jay Watts III (jaywatts), Sunday, 31 July 2005 01:40 (twenty years ago)

Oh yeah! Swervedriver were purveyors of glorious guitar sonics, especially on Mezcal Head. Adam Franklin actually wrote a decent lyric, unlike so many of his contemporaries.

― Brooker Buckingham (Brooker B), Sunday, 31 July 2005 02:18 (twenty years ago)

Classic all the way!

One of their problems was that they might have left some of their best songs for those early EP’s. The very first stuff they put out was their best stuff, Mustang Ford, Rave Down, and Sandblasted might just have their best 12 songs on them.

My favorite album is Mezcal Head with Raise coming in second. I too never understood why they never became bigger. I do, however, understand why they were dropped. I saw them at the Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood on February 21, 1994 and the show sucked. I saw them before and they were a good band but this night it was horrible. Anyways Alan McGee of Creation Records was there and also saw this show and they seemed over, like what is the point. They just went through the motions and stared at their feet. There was no energy or excitement whatsoever. They show ended and they walked off stage and the audience barely clapped. A surreal moment for sure and the house lights came on and that was it with no encore, no buzz about the show or anything. They were later dropped by Creation and know it had a lot to do with that night.

Regardless they are a great fucking band and one of the better one’s from the 90’s.

― BeeOK (boo radley), Sunday, 31 July 2005 02:28 (twenty years ago)

Mezcal Head was the first album I ever bought off of Amazon my freshman year of colelge (not very romantic, but a memory nonetheless). I distinctly remember listening to it when my dad came to drive me back to Cleveland for the summer.

Can't believe I haven't heard anything else by them, though. Another one of those situations where you buy a band's best-reviewed album that is considered their best, and listen to it with the mindset that it's the best thing they did. Like when I played The Queen is Dead to death for 6 years before investing in the Smiths's other stuff. (Imagine hearing "This Charming Man" for the first time after thinking it didn't get much better than "Some Girls Are Better than Others"...).

Anyway, back to Swerve'.....is Raise worth it? I've read mixed stuff on it......

― PB, Sunday, 31 July 2005 02:32 (twenty years ago)

*college

― PB, Sunday, 31 July 2005 02:33 (twenty years ago)

damn, i need a edit button

― BeeOK (boo radley), Sunday, 31 July 2005 02:55 (twenty years ago)

"Never Lose that Feeling" is one of my most loved 90s indie tracks ever. I also like "Mezcal Head", esp "Blowin' Cool", perfect for summer driving with all the windows wound down and singing along.

― Trayce (trayce), Sunday, 31 July 2005 03:42 (twenty years ago)

Anyway, back to Swerve'.....is Raise worth it? I've read mixed stuff on it......

I have nothing whatsoever to say about Raise.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 31 July 2005 03:47 (twenty years ago)

I started digging deep into this band about two months back. Now they've paved their way into one of my favorite bands. "The Hitcher" seems to be an overlooked Swervedriver song, imo. I think it's one of their best. There are countless others that I want to listen to over and over. It almost seems as though the songs get better with each listen ; the guitars are just mesmerizing. Album wise, I would pick Mezcal Head a hair over Raise. It's a shame that Mezcal Head seems pretty tough to find on vinyl. I really want to track down their early 12"s, but shipping is such a bitch right now. I will get them, though. I have to.

Swervedriver - Duel (Live on MTV's 120 Minutes.)
I think it's a great performance. Wish I could've seen them.

― Harpal (harpal), Wednesday, 24 January 2007 19:57 (nineteen years ago)

CLASSIC. SIMPLY PUT.

― Cameron Octigan (Cameron Octigan), Wednesday, 24 January 2007 19:58 (nineteen years ago)

I think it's a great performance. Wish I could've seen them.

actually that's a very mild performance from what i remember. they were much more energetic and loud when i saw them. plus his voice sounds flat in this clip.

― Steve Shasta (Steve Shasta), Wednesday, 24 January 2007 20:21 (nineteen years ago)

I agree with the voice being flat and I don't think you can be super loud on a TV show, but this is all I've got! Although, I know you're right because I've heard some of the audio bootlegs on their website. Scorching stuff -- they add a lot more to the songs.

― Harpal (harpal), Wednesday, 24 January 2007 20:25 (nineteen years ago)

Yes! The Hitcher is amazing. As are quite a few other non-album tracks - Scrawl And Scream, Kill The Superheroes, Volcano Trash, Planes Over The Skyline, to name a few.

Raise is the timeless classic to me - perfect driving music. And there's something about that wide-open sound and the way they put those songs together that just makes it one of those rare near-perfect records. I like all their other records quite a bit as well.

― Sir Echo (Sir Echo), Wednesday, 24 January 2007 23:25 (nineteen years ago)

plug ugly, but a great band nonetheless...saw them open for Smashing Pumpkins at the Michigan State Fair lo those years ago...Mezcal Head is the one...the hidden tracks at the end of Ejector Seat Reservation are haunting, worthy of an album of their own...

not sure who was cooler: Swervedriver, Loop or AR Kane...tough call...

― hank (hank s), Wednesday, 24 January 2007 23:42 (nineteen years ago)

AR Kane

― the new sincerity (Pye Poudre), Wednesday, 24 January 2007 23:57 (nineteen years ago)

Three way tie.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 24 January 2007 23:58 (nineteen years ago)

All three are great but not really comparable! AR Kane are a lot more sexxx than the other two.

I adore "Never Lose that Feeling", "Rave Down" and "Blowin' Cool". Sounds of summer, those are. Driving down the highway with the windows down and the stereo blasting, beers in the back seat. Yeah. Good stuff. Good memories.

― Trayce (trayce), Thursday, 25 January 2007 00:24 (nineteen years ago)

CLASSIC of the highest honor.

a surefire top-ten of my all-time favorite bands. viva los swervies.

― tk (tk), Thursday, 25 January 2007 00:41 (nineteen years ago)

Love 'em!

Mezcal Head and 99th Dream are my favorites, but all of their albums contain great songs.

Saw them several times and they were always really good, but the coolest show was an in-store they did at Newbury Comics in Cambridge, MA. They had a stripped down setup, so I thought it wasn't going to be anything special but the rocked the crap out of several songs from Ejector Seat. The only time I ever heard them play The Birds.

― Matt Olken (Moodles), Thursday, 25 January 2007 01:30 (nineteen years ago)

Adam Franklin's got a solo album out and from what a friend describes it's well worth the listen, so:

http://www.myspace.com/toshackhighway

http://www.adamfranklin.com (w/ unreleased songs)

― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 05:36 (eighteen years ago)

I remember when Juggernaut Rides '89-'98 came out in 2005. I was frustrated that it was still missing some songs from the rare EPs, so I just downloaded what I wanted. Does anyone have that?

― Fastnbulbous, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 07:16 (eighteen years ago)

"Son of Mustang Ford" is awesome. If you don't have it, get it.

― Ismael Klata, Thursday, 28 June 2007 20:46 (eighteen years ago)

Pitchfork

Swervedriver to Reunite for World Tour Next Year

It's been nigh on ten years since Swervedriver's 99th Dream, which even the least casual observer might've pegged their swan song. And perhaps it was: on record, anyway. We'll just have to wait and see.

But for now, these boys-- Adam Franklin, Jimmy Hartridge, Steve George, and Jez Hindmarsh-- have announced an end to their extended hiatus, as the fondly remembered Swervedriver plans to tour the world early next year, breaking almost a decade of silence. The dates have yet to be confirmed; we'll have 'em for you when they are.

― Bee OK, Monday, 22 October 2007 03:16 (eighteen years ago)

Nice! Hopefully in support of a deluxe double cd reissue of Raise with ALL the EPs!

― Fastnbulbous, Monday, 22 October 2007 18:55 (eighteen years ago)

this should be Big news for ILM.

i hope they make some more music, in the studio, because of this great news.

― Bee OK, Tuesday, 23 October 2007 03:18 (eighteen years ago)

What the hell -- this is utterly freakishly cool:

http://www.swervedriver.com/downloads.asp

(I'm sure it was linked on here before but either I missed it or just forgot it -- stupidly, on my part.)

― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 16 December 2009 03:26 (sixteen years ago)

Those have been up there for awhile, but yeah - they're great comps!

― Elvis Telecom, Wednesday, 16 December 2009 03:54 (sixteen years ago)

They were great at ATP two weekends ago. Or at least the last couple of songs I caught were.

― The New Dirty Vicar, Wednesday, 16 December 2009 13:31 (sixteen years ago)

Swervedriver - CD/SD