Swervedriver
Encyclopedia
Swervedriver are an English alternative rock
band from Oxford
. The band went on hiatus in 1998 before reforming in 2008 for a world tour, which included a performance at the high-profile Coachella Festival
. Their first three albums were also reissued in 2008/2009.
in 1984, with the formation of a group called Shake Appeal
, named after a song by one of their main acknowledged influences, The Stooges. Consisting of vocalist/guitarist Adam Franklin
, guitarist Jimmy Hartridge, lead vocalist Graham Franklin (Adam’s brother), bassist Paul Wilson
, and drummer Paddy Pulzer
. Wilson left and Adam Franklin switched to bass duties before Richard Mason
took over and finally the band settled on Adi Vines as bass player. They released one 7" single, 1987's "Gimme Fever", on Notown Records as well as two tracks, "Amphetamine" and "Take A Ride", appearing on Oxford bands compilation album The Jericho Collection around the same time.. The band disbanded in 1988.
The band effectively reformed after Vines heard demos of new songs "Son of Mustang Ford", "Volcano Trash" and "Afterglow" that Adam Franklin had recorded at home. The last Shake Appeal line-up then recorded a full band studio demo of "Son of Mustang Ford" and "Afterglow" before Graham Franklin departed. The new lineup had a new name, Swervedriver and after a time Pulzer left to be replaced by Graham Bonnar. Their hometown colleagues Ride passed their demo of "Son of Mustang Ford" to Alan McGee
of Creation Records
.
in 1991. On 6 February 1992, Bonnar abandoned the band at the Canadian border only a few dates into a two-month headlining tour of the U.S. Tour manager Phil Ames called on Danny Ingram from Washington, D.C. band Strange Boutique
, to fill in on drums for the rest of the U.S. tour and a short tour of Japan. Rather than replace Bonnar permanently, the band had Ingram move to London for a UK and European tour. In April 1992, the group, with Ingram still on drums, did a U.S. tour with two American A&M labelmates, Monster Magnet
and Soundgarden
as well as a tour of Japan. Following an appearance at the Hultsfred
festival in Sweden on 8 August 1992, Vines departed to form the heavy metal-oriented Skyscraper
. (Vines has since worked as guitar tech for various UK bands including The Darkness, Feeder
and The Prodigy
). Swervedriver’s final release with the original lineup was 1992's Never Lose That Feeling 12" EP/ 7" single, produced by Alan Moulder
. Bonnar went on to drum for The Brian Jonestown Massacre
. The future of Swervedriver appeared uncertain.
, continuing their relationship with Moulder. The album gave them their most successful single, "Duel" (NME
s Single Of The Week). "Never Lose That Feeling/Never Learn" was added to the American release of the album. With the addition of new bassist Steve George
they toured U.S. arenas with Smashing Pumpkins and Shudder to Think
in October and November 1993 and fellow Creation act Medicine
in 1994.
released Ejector Seat Reservation in April 1995 and then dropped the band one week later. Early UK promo pressings featuring additional track "It's All Happening Now" were withdrawn (given away to fan club members) after permission was denied to use lyrics lifted from Bob Dylan's "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue". Ejector Seat Reservation was never officially released in the U.S., though it was reissued on CD in 2003 by Sony International. It received little to no record company support and ended up being their poorest-selling album. This began a protracted period of record label problems for the band.
with a multi-record deal, and began recording their fourth album. Their contract was terminated when their A&R (Artists & Repertoire) representative was fired in a corporate downsizing. Geffen released promotional CD copies of the band's fourth and final album, entitled 99th Dream, but these were quickly withdrawn and the label never officially released the album for sale.
99th Dream was finally given an official release in early 1998 after the band signed to fledgling U.S. label Zero Hour Records (the only differences between the Zero Hour and Geffen versions was a new version of "These Times"). 1998 saw tours of the U.S. (with Hum
), Britain, and Australia (with Powderfinger
). The Wrong Treats EP was the band's last release as an extant group and featured the tracks "Homeless Homecoming", a recording begun during a soundcheck in Sydney, Australia at the Metro Club and a cover of the T. Rex tune "Chateau In Virginia Waters" ("Wrong Treats" was replaced by "These Times" on Australian editions). The last show by the band was in Margaret River, Australia in December 1998 and the band went on a hiatus that lasted nearly a decade.
on Flower Shop/Planetary as well as a 2001 EP Everyday, Rock 'n' Roll Is Saving My Life on Space Baby Recordings; a 2003 split CD release with Sianspheric
entitled Magnetic Morning/Aspirin Ageon Sonic Unyon; a 2006 seven inch single "Syd's Eyes" on Black Mountain; 2006 Birdsong EP download only release on Shifty Disco and a 2005 mail order compilation of odds and ends entitled Everyday, Rock 'n' Roll Is Saving My Life Vol 2.
In 2005, with most of the band's discography out of print, Castle Music released a 2-CD Swervedriver anthology entitled Juggernaut Rides
. It brought together 33 songs, including many only available on rare EPs and singles, and four that were previously unreleased, including the 8-minute "Neon Lights Glow," which features accompaniment by an orchestral string section.
In June 2007, Franklin released his first album under his own name called Bolts of Melody on Hi-Speed Soul Records from San Diego, California. His second solo record Spent Bullets was released on Second Motion Records
on 31 March 2009 (with Hi-Speed Soul distributing the vinyl) and Franklin and his band, now known as Bolts of Melody, toured the US with The Church
in support of the album in May 2009. The third album will be released under the moniker Adam Franklin & Bolts of Melody in May 2010 and is titled I Could Sleep For A Thousand Years.
In early 2007, Interpol
drummer Sam Fogarino
joined with Adam Franklin to form a band that would come to be known as Magnetic Morning
(formerly the Setting Suns). Their debut EP was released in November 2007 and debut album AM appeared early 2009 on Friend or Faux. The band toured the US in Nov 2008 in a band that also featured Jimmy LaValle from The Album Leaf
.
discussed the prospects of a Swervedriver reunion, and referred positively to the recent reunion of the Pixies. In October 2007, the band's publicist announced Swervedriver would reunite in 2008 for a world tour. Jez Hindmarsh, drummer at the time, confirmed the news on the band's message board. Dates and details were announced on their MySpace
page. Right before their 2008 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
performance Adam Franklin said in an interview "This time around—it’s ten years on, and the people who saw us ten years ago would love to see us again, and a bunch of people have sprung up in the interim—it could be a good time!".
In November 2008, the first three albums (Raise
, Mezcal Head
, and Ejector Seat Reservation
) were re-released by Sony BMG in the UK as "Remastered and Expanded" editions. All three records are released as digi-packs, with 16 page booklets and liner notes from Adam Franklin and Jimmy Hartridge, are digitally remastered, and have 4 extra bonus tracks each.
In the USA, Hi-Speed Soul records (in conjunction with Second Motion
) licensed the reissues of "Raise" and "Mezcal Head", and released them on 20 January 2009. The US releases are the same as the UK versions, except for printing differences. A limited number of online "Deluxe Edition" orders will also include a limited edition poster signed by the band and a "Swervedriver Raygun" water-pistol.
In 2011, the band reunited again to perform shows in Australia, North America, and Europe, with original Raise
drummer Graham Bonnar replacing Jez Hindmarsh, and featuring songs from Raise in the setlists. The North American shows featured Mikey Jones from Adam Franklin's other band, Bolts of Melody, on drums instead of Bonnar.
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band from Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
. The band went on hiatus in 1998 before reforming in 2008 for a world tour, which included a performance at the high-profile Coachella Festival
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is a three-day annual music and arts festival, organized by Goldenvoice and held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, in the Inland Empire's Coachella Valley...
. Their first three albums were also reissued in 2008/2009.
Early years
The band started in OxfordOxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
in 1984, with the formation of a group called Shake Appeal
Shake Appeal
Shake Appeal is the name of a rock group from Oxford, England from 1984-1989. The last line-up of the band evolved into Swervedriver.-Origins:...
, named after a song by one of their main acknowledged influences, The Stooges. Consisting of vocalist/guitarist Adam Franklin
Adam Franklin
Adam Franklin is a guitarist, singer and songwriter who has played in Swervedriver , Shake Appeal , Toshack Highway and currently releases records as Adam Franklin and tours with live band Bolts of Melody...
, guitarist Jimmy Hartridge, lead vocalist Graham Franklin (Adam’s brother), bassist Paul Wilson
Paul Wilson
Paul Wilson may refer to:*F. Paul Wilson , American science fiction and horror author*R. Paul Wilson, sleight of hand expert*Paul Wilson , pitcher in Major League Baseball...
, and drummer Paddy Pulzer
Paddy Pulzer
Patrick Pulzer is a drummer/percussionist from Oxford, England who has been in numerous British indie bands. He started out in 1984 with the band Shake Appeal, who eventually evolved into Swervedriver after Pulzer's departure. Pulzer left Shake Appeal in 1989 to join the band Jack. He has also...
. Wilson left and Adam Franklin switched to bass duties before Richard Mason
Richard Mason
Richard Mason may refer to:* Richard Mason , English author of The World of Suzie Wong* Richard Mason , English writer, the author of The Drowning People* Richard Mason Richard Mason may refer to:* Richard Mason (novelist 1919–1997), English author of The World of Suzie Wong* Richard Mason...
took over and finally the band settled on Adi Vines as bass player. They released one 7" single, 1987's "Gimme Fever", on Notown Records as well as two tracks, "Amphetamine" and "Take A Ride", appearing on Oxford bands compilation album The Jericho Collection around the same time.. The band disbanded in 1988.
The band effectively reformed after Vines heard demos of new songs "Son of Mustang Ford", "Volcano Trash" and "Afterglow" that Adam Franklin had recorded at home. The last Shake Appeal line-up then recorded a full band studio demo of "Son of Mustang Ford" and "Afterglow" before Graham Franklin departed. The new lineup had a new name, Swervedriver and after a time Pulzer left to be replaced by Graham Bonnar. Their hometown colleagues Ride passed their demo of "Son of Mustang Ford" to Alan McGee
Alan McGee
Alan McGee has been a record label owner, musician, manager, and music blogger for The Guardian.McGee is best-known for co-forming and running the independent Creation Records label from 1983–1999, and then Poptones from 1999-2007...
of Creation Records
Creation Records
Creation Records was a British independent record label headed by Alan McGee. Along with Dick Green and Joe Foster, McGee founded Creation in 1983. The label lasted until its demise in 1999. The name came from the 1960s band The Creation , whom McGee greatly admired. McGee, Green and Foster were...
.
First album and possible breakup
The group debuted with a series of 12" EPs between 1990 and 1991: Son of Mustang Ford, Rave Down and Sandblasted. They then issued their debut album RaiseRaise (album)
Raise is the first studio album by the British alternative rock band, Swervedriver. The album only contained six new songs; "Son of Mustang Ford", "Rave Down" and "Sandblasted" had all appeared on earlier EPs and singles released by the band between 1990 to 1991.-Track listing:# "Sci-Flyer" #...
in 1991. On 6 February 1992, Bonnar abandoned the band at the Canadian border only a few dates into a two-month headlining tour of the U.S. Tour manager Phil Ames called on Danny Ingram from Washington, D.C. band Strange Boutique
Strange Boutique
Strange Boutique was a band from Washington, D.C.. They were active between the years of 1987 and 1994 and released 4 full-length albums and 2 live albums on the Bedazzled Records label. They are also featured on several compilation albums...
, to fill in on drums for the rest of the U.S. tour and a short tour of Japan. Rather than replace Bonnar permanently, the band had Ingram move to London for a UK and European tour. In April 1992, the group, with Ingram still on drums, did a U.S. tour with two American A&M labelmates, Monster Magnet
Monster Magnet
Monster Magnet is an American stoner rock band. Hailing from Red Bank, New Jersey, the group was founded by Dave Wyndorf , John McBain and Tim Cronin...
and Soundgarden
Soundgarden
Soundgarden is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1984 by singer Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto...
as well as a tour of Japan. Following an appearance at the Hultsfred
Hultsfred
Hultsfred is a locality and the seat of Hultsfred Municipality, Kalmar County, Sweden with 5,305 inhabitants in 2005. It is best known for the Hultsfred Festival.- References :...
festival in Sweden on 8 August 1992, Vines departed to form the heavy metal-oriented Skyscraper
Skyscraper (band)
Skyscraper were a UK-based rock band formed during 1992. The original line up consisted of Vic Kemlicz previously of Camden band Milk, ex-Swervedriver bassist Adi Vines and drummer Oliver Grasset formerly of the band Pitchfork Skyscraper...
. (Vines has since worked as guitar tech for various UK bands including The Darkness, Feeder
Feeder
-Technology:* Feeder , any of several devices used in apiculture to supplement or replace natural food sources* Feeder , another name for a riser, a reservoir built into a metal casting mold to prevent cavities due to shrinkage...
and The Prodigy
The Prodigy
The Prodigy are an English electronic dance music group formed by Liam Howlett in 1990 in Braintree, Essex. Along with Fatboy Slim, The Chemical Brothers, and other acts, The Prodigy have been credited as pioneers of the big beat genre, which achieved mainstream popularity in the 1990s and 2000s...
). Swervedriver’s final release with the original lineup was 1992's Never Lose That Feeling 12" EP/ 7" single, produced by Alan Moulder
Alan Moulder
Alan Moulder is one of Britain's premier alternative rock record producers. He has worked with such artists as Depeche Mode, Erasure, Elastica, Gary Numan, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Curve, Ride, Lush and My Bloody Valentine, Lostprophets, Shihad, Ivyrise and Placebo, as well as with many American...
. Bonnar went on to drum for The Brian Jonestown Massacre
The Brian Jonestown Massacre
The Brian Jonestown Massacre is an American eclectic musical group led by Anton Newcombe, whose music spans multiple genres including psychedelia, electronica, folk music, blues, experimental music, and many others....
. The future of Swervedriver appeared uncertain.
Release of Mezcal Head
In 1993, Swervedriver re-emerged with the core of Adam Franklin and Hartridge, along with newly-recruited drummer Jez Hindmarsh (a.k.a. "Jez"), and released the album Mezcal HeadMezcal Head
Mezcal Head was the second album to be released by British alternative rock band Swervedriver in 1993. This was the second album by the band, and was released two years after their first album, Raise.- Overview :...
, continuing their relationship with Moulder. The album gave them their most successful single, "Duel" (NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
s Single Of The Week). "Never Lose That Feeling/Never Learn" was added to the American release of the album. With the addition of new bassist Steve George
Steve George
Steve George may refer to:*Steve George , keyboardist for pop band Mr. Mister*Steve George , bassist for Swervedriver...
they toured U.S. arenas with Smashing Pumpkins and Shudder to Think
Shudder to Think
Shudder to Think is an American indie rock group. Formed in 1986, they released three albums on the Washington, D.C.-based label Dischord Records and were a post-hardcore band, although they drew upon a wide range of stylistic influences, including pop....
in October and November 1993 and fellow Creation act Medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
in 1994.
Ejector Seat Reservation
Creation RecordsCreation Records
Creation Records was a British independent record label headed by Alan McGee. Along with Dick Green and Joe Foster, McGee founded Creation in 1983. The label lasted until its demise in 1999. The name came from the 1960s band The Creation , whom McGee greatly admired. McGee, Green and Foster were...
released Ejector Seat Reservation in April 1995 and then dropped the band one week later. Early UK promo pressings featuring additional track "It's All Happening Now" were withdrawn (given away to fan club members) after permission was denied to use lyrics lifted from Bob Dylan's "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue". Ejector Seat Reservation was never officially released in the U.S., though it was reissued on CD in 2003 by Sony International. It received little to no record company support and ended up being their poorest-selling album. This began a protracted period of record label problems for the band.
99th Dream and the late 1990s
In 1996, Swervedriver signed to Geffen RecordsGeffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
with a multi-record deal, and began recording their fourth album. Their contract was terminated when their A&R (Artists & Repertoire) representative was fired in a corporate downsizing. Geffen released promotional CD copies of the band's fourth and final album, entitled 99th Dream, but these were quickly withdrawn and the label never officially released the album for sale.
99th Dream was finally given an official release in early 1998 after the band signed to fledgling U.S. label Zero Hour Records (the only differences between the Zero Hour and Geffen versions was a new version of "These Times"). 1998 saw tours of the U.S. (with Hum
Hum (band)
Hum is a post-hardcore band from Champaign, Illinois. They are best known for their 1995 radio hit "Stars." Hum has not been consistently active as a recording or touring group since 2000.-Founding and early recordings:...
), Britain, and Australia (with Powderfinger
Powderfinger
Powderfinger was an Australian rock band that formed in Brisbane in 1989. From 1992 until their breakup the band lineup consisted of vocalist Bernard Fanning, guitarists Darren Middleton and Ian Haug, bassist John Collins, and drummer Jon Coghill....
). The Wrong Treats EP was the band's last release as an extant group and featured the tracks "Homeless Homecoming", a recording begun during a soundcheck in Sydney, Australia at the Metro Club and a cover of the T. Rex tune "Chateau In Virginia Waters" ("Wrong Treats" was replaced by "These Times" on Australian editions). The last show by the band was in Margaret River, Australia in December 1998 and the band went on a hiatus that lasted nearly a decade.
Non-Swervedriver activity
In 2000 Adam Franklin released an album called Toshack Highway as Toshack HighwayToshack Highway
Toshack Highway is the musical group formed by the lead singer and guitarist from Swervedriver, Adam Franklin.The band name derives from merging the surnames of two Liverpool FC football players from the 1970s, John Toshack and Steve Heighway.-History:...
on Flower Shop/Planetary as well as a 2001 EP Everyday, Rock 'n' Roll Is Saving My Life on Space Baby Recordings; a 2003 split CD release with Sianspheric
Sianspheric
SIANspheric , is a shoegaze/dream pop-oriented rock band from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They formed in 1994, and signed with the then-fledgling record label Sonic Unyon. The following year, Somnium, their debut album, was released...
entitled Magnetic Morning/Aspirin Ageon Sonic Unyon; a 2006 seven inch single "Syd's Eyes" on Black Mountain; 2006 Birdsong EP download only release on Shifty Disco and a 2005 mail order compilation of odds and ends entitled Everyday, Rock 'n' Roll Is Saving My Life Vol 2.
In 2005, with most of the band's discography out of print, Castle Music released a 2-CD Swervedriver anthology entitled Juggernaut Rides
Juggernaut Rides '89–'98
-Personnel:* Adam Franklin – guitars, vocals, bass* Graham Franklin – vocals* Jimmy Hartridge – guitar, vocals, bass* Adi Vines – bass* Paddy Pulzer – drums* Graham Bonner – drums* Jez Hindmarsh – drums* Steve George – bass, vocals- Sources :* * *...
. It brought together 33 songs, including many only available on rare EPs and singles, and four that were previously unreleased, including the 8-minute "Neon Lights Glow," which features accompaniment by an orchestral string section.
In June 2007, Franklin released his first album under his own name called Bolts of Melody on Hi-Speed Soul Records from San Diego, California. His second solo record Spent Bullets was released on Second Motion Records
Second Motion Records
Second Motion Records is part of Second Motion Entertainment based in Carrboro, North Carolina. The Label was founded in Chapel Hill, NC by Stephen Judge, who is the former manager of the rock band Athenaeum as well as the former General Manager/A&R Director of Redeye Distribution and Yep Roc...
on 31 March 2009 (with Hi-Speed Soul distributing the vinyl) and Franklin and his band, now known as Bolts of Melody, toured the US with The Church
The Church (band)
The Church is an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1980. Initially associated with new wave and the neo-psychedelic sound of the mid 1980s, their music later became more reminiscent of progressive rock, featuring long instrumental jams and complex guitar interplay...
in support of the album in May 2009. The third album will be released under the moniker Adam Franklin & Bolts of Melody in May 2010 and is titled I Could Sleep For A Thousand Years.
In early 2007, Interpol
Interpol (band)
Interpol is an American indie rock and post-punk revival band from New York City. Formed in 1997, the band's original line-up consisted of Paul Banks , Daniel Kessler , Carlos Dengler and Greg Drudy . Drudy left the band in 2000 and was replaced by Sam Fogarino...
drummer Sam Fogarino
Sam Fogarino
Samuel Joseph Fogarino is the drummer of New York City-based band Interpol. He has played in bands The Holy Terrors, Gus, The Wahoos, Napoleon Solo, The Ton-ups and The Last Night....
joined with Adam Franklin to form a band that would come to be known as Magnetic Morning
Magnetic Morning
Magnetic Morning is an indie rock duo made up of Swervedriver singer/guitarist Adam Franklin and Interpol drummer Sam Fogarino. The duo met early 2006 over dinner in NYC, while being introduced by long term, mutual friend, Jack Rabid. The band was formed in winter of 2006-2007 in New York City...
(formerly the Setting Suns). Their debut EP was released in November 2007 and debut album AM appeared early 2009 on Friend or Faux. The band toured the US in Nov 2008 in a band that also featured Jimmy LaValle from The Album Leaf
The Album Leaf
The Album Leaf is an American solo musical project founded in San Diego, California in 1998 by Jimmy LaValle. He is known for his use of electronics, synthesizer and Rhodes piano...
.
2008 Reunion
During an interview promoting his first solo album, Adam FranklinAdam Franklin
Adam Franklin is a guitarist, singer and songwriter who has played in Swervedriver , Shake Appeal , Toshack Highway and currently releases records as Adam Franklin and tours with live band Bolts of Melody...
discussed the prospects of a Swervedriver reunion, and referred positively to the recent reunion of the Pixies. In October 2007, the band's publicist announced Swervedriver would reunite in 2008 for a world tour. Jez Hindmarsh, drummer at the time, confirmed the news on the band's message board. Dates and details were announced on their MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
page. Right before their 2008 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is a three-day annual music and arts festival, organized by Goldenvoice and held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, in the Inland Empire's Coachella Valley...
performance Adam Franklin said in an interview "This time around—it’s ten years on, and the people who saw us ten years ago would love to see us again, and a bunch of people have sprung up in the interim—it could be a good time!".
In November 2008, the first three albums (Raise
Raise (album)
Raise is the first studio album by the British alternative rock band, Swervedriver. The album only contained six new songs; "Son of Mustang Ford", "Rave Down" and "Sandblasted" had all appeared on earlier EPs and singles released by the band between 1990 to 1991.-Track listing:# "Sci-Flyer" #...
, Mezcal Head
Mezcal Head
Mezcal Head was the second album to be released by British alternative rock band Swervedriver in 1993. This was the second album by the band, and was released two years after their first album, Raise.- Overview :...
, and Ejector Seat Reservation
Ejector Seat Reservation
The third studio album by the British alternative rock band, Swervedriver. The album includes three untitled hidden tracks which were only available in the United Kingdom.-Track listing:# "Single Finger Salute"...
) were re-released by Sony BMG in the UK as "Remastered and Expanded" editions. All three records are released as digi-packs, with 16 page booklets and liner notes from Adam Franklin and Jimmy Hartridge, are digitally remastered, and have 4 extra bonus tracks each.
In the USA, Hi-Speed Soul records (in conjunction with Second Motion
Second Motion Records
Second Motion Records is part of Second Motion Entertainment based in Carrboro, North Carolina. The Label was founded in Chapel Hill, NC by Stephen Judge, who is the former manager of the rock band Athenaeum as well as the former General Manager/A&R Director of Redeye Distribution and Yep Roc...
) licensed the reissues of "Raise" and "Mezcal Head", and released them on 20 January 2009. The US releases are the same as the UK versions, except for printing differences. A limited number of online "Deluxe Edition" orders will also include a limited edition poster signed by the band and a "Swervedriver Raygun" water-pistol.
In 2011, the band reunited again to perform shows in Australia, North America, and Europe, with original Raise
Raise (album)
Raise is the first studio album by the British alternative rock band, Swervedriver. The album only contained six new songs; "Son of Mustang Ford", "Rave Down" and "Sandblasted" had all appeared on earlier EPs and singles released by the band between 1990 to 1991.-Track listing:# "Sci-Flyer" #...
drummer Graham Bonnar replacing Jez Hindmarsh, and featuring songs from Raise in the setlists. The North American shows featured Mikey Jones from Adam Franklin's other band, Bolts of Melody, on drums instead of Bonnar.
Albums
- RaiseRaise (album)Raise is the first studio album by the British alternative rock band, Swervedriver. The album only contained six new songs; "Son of Mustang Ford", "Rave Down" and "Sandblasted" had all appeared on earlier EPs and singles released by the band between 1990 to 1991.-Track listing:# "Sci-Flyer" #...
(1991, Creation/ A&M) (initial copies came with free 7") (reissued & remastered 2008 Sony BMG, 2009 Hi-Speed Soul/Second Motion) - Mezcal HeadMezcal HeadMezcal Head was the second album to be released by British alternative rock band Swervedriver in 1993. This was the second album by the band, and was released two years after their first album, Raise.- Overview :...
(1993, Creation/ A&M) (reissued & remastered 2008 Sony BMG, 2009 Hi-Speed Soul/Second Motion) - Ejector Seat ReservationEjector Seat ReservationThe third studio album by the British alternative rock band, Swervedriver. The album includes three untitled hidden tracks which were only available in the United Kingdom.-Track listing:# "Single Finger Salute"...
(1995, Creation) (initial copies came with free 7") (reissued 2003, Sony International) (reissued & remastered 2008 Sony BMG) - 99th Dream99th Dream99th Dream is the fourth and final studio album by the British alternative rock band, Swervedriver. -Track listing:# "99th Dream" – 5:24# "Up from the Sea" – 3:23# "She Weaves a Tender Trap" – 3:41# "These Times" – 3:20...
(1997, Geffen [promo CD only]/ 1998, Zero Hour) (initial copies came with free 7")
EPs
- Son of Mustang Ford 12" (1990, Creation)
- Rave Down 12" (1991, Creation)
- Sandblasted 12" (1991, Creation)
- Reel to Real 12" (1991, A&M)
- Never Lose That Feeling 12"/ 7"/ CD EP (1992, Creation)
- Duel 7"/ CD EP (1993, Creation/ A&M)
- Last Train to Satansville 12"/ CD EP (1993/1994, Creation/ A&M)
- Last Day on Earth 12" (initial copies on white vinyl) / CD EP (1995)
- Space Travel Rock 'n' Roll 12"/ CD EP (1998, Zero Hour) (came in anti-static foil wrap bag)
- Wrong Treats (1999)
Singles
- "Surf Twang" (b/w "Deep Twang") free instrumental 7" included with initial vinyl copies of Raise (1991, Creation)
- "For Seeking Heat" (b/w "Duel") 12" (promo) (1993, Creation)
- "My Zephyr (A Sequel)" (b/w "Mars") 7" (1994, Flower Shop) (1000 copies only)
- "Plan 7 Star Satellite 10" (b/w "Flaming Heart") (1995, Creation) free 7" with initial vinyl copies of Ejector Seat Reservation
- "Bring Me the Head of the Fortune Teller" (b/w "The Birds") 12" (promo) (1995, Creation)
- "Why Say Yeah" – Swervedriver/Sophia split double 7" (1996)
- "Magic Bus" – Swervedriver/Happy Campers split (1997, A&M Records)
- "93 Million Miles from the Sun... And Counting" (b/w "Up From The Sea" (four-track version)) 7" (1997, Sessions)
- "Good Ships" (b/w "Hate Yr Kind") (1998, Zero Hour) free 7" with initial vinyl copies of 99th Dream
- "Hitcher" (b/w "Just Sometimes") 2008 Reunion Tour only red vinyl 7" Hi-Speed Soul Records
Toshack Highway
- Toshack Highway (aka the orange album) (2000) Flower Shop/Catapult
- Everyday, Rock'n'Roll Is Saving My Life EP (2001) Space Baby
- Magnetic Morning/Aspirin Age (split 2CD release with Sianspheric (2003) Sonic Unyon
- Everyday, Rock'n'Roll Is Saving My Life Vol 2 (2005) SWD (full length album of outtakes, rarities, demos etc.)
- Birdsong EP (2006) Shifty Disco (download release)
- Syd's Eyes/Silver Freight Train (2006) Black Mountain seven inch
Adam Franklin
- Bolts of Melody (2007) Hi-Speed Soul
- Spent Bullets (2009) Second Motion (CD/Digital)/Hi-Speed Soul (Vinyl)
- A Soundworld of Rain (2009) iTunes only radio session release with Gerald Menke on pedal steel
- I Could Sleep For A Thousand Years (2010) Second Motion
Home video
- On the Road with Swervedriver: A Rockumentary (promo VHS, 42:51 total time) (1992, A&M) Features live footage, interviews, and all of the band's music videos up to that point
Books
- Rider - by Jez Hindmarsh (2006, Lulu.com) An autobiographical look at life on the road with Swervedriver.
External links
- Swervedriver.com
- Swervedriver official MySpace page
- Toshack Highway
- Hi-Speed Soul's preorder page
- Restoration of live Swervedriver videos
- Reference to the tour in April 1992
- Reference to the tour in October 1993
- A 2008 interview with Swervedriver
- interview and review of the Fillmore show in San Francisco, 2008
- Nov 2008 interview with Jimmy Hartridge
- http://hem.spray.se/mezcalhead/purephaze/swervedriver/swd-discography.htm