Buzzin Music

the swellers southampton 05/05/10

The Swellers started pretty quickly, I think it was the shortest we’ve ever waited for a band to set up.

The energy from their show was electric, i mean, people moved for the other 4 bands that were supporting, but they REALLY moved for The Swellers!

One on stage The Swellers made a habit of telling us where they were from, all the way from Michigan USA. They were also rubbing it in that if they played here again, it wouldn’t be for a while which is a huge shame as they really knew how to get the crowd going, encouraging them to clap, sing along and start crazy pits. It was wild!

Their Bassist was pretty AMAZING too! He was playing whilst jumping around, playing whilst on the floor and even playing while climbing on his best mates back!

He is an amazing performer and I was swayed even more  when I saw that he was wearing a Motion City Soundtrack T-shirt (who are currently one of my top 5 bands to listen to!).

They had a great bassist,  strong vocals, a good clear drum beat and SICK guitar Solo’s! They definitely sold the show, and had the crowd in the palm of their hands!

If the rest of their shows are anything near as good as this one was, then they will surely be well on their way to playing BIG festivals, Big venues and earning BIG bucks!!  The Swellers are a MUST to see live!! They’re just so Epic!

The Swellers only have a few dates left on this UK tour, if they are near you, be sure to see them.

Remaining UK dates:

8 May 2010      18:00
The Peel – HEADLINE SHOW     Kingston, UK
9 May 2010     18:00
Red Room @ Rescue Rooms – HEADLINE SHOW     Nottingham, UK, GB
10 May 2010     18:00
Cavern – HEADLINE SHOW     Exeter, UK, GB

the swellers southampton 05/05/10

Buzzin Music reviewers Carmen & Abby met The Swellers before the Southampton gig for a brief interview:

How did the band name originate?
When I was 15, in 2002, I said ‘It sounds catchy’ to the band mates, they thought it had already been used but it hadn’t. So it just kind of stuck.

You have had many personnel changes since forming, are you happy with the current line up?
Absolutely.

How have the English fans reacted to seeing you perform, and are they different to US fans?
They pretty much just stare at us, and then after they come up to us and say ‘good show’.

Who originally influenced you into forming a band?
Nirvana and other punk rock bands from the 90’s.

Who or what are you currently listening to?
Ninja Gun, Living with Lions, A Wilhelm Scream.

‘Ups and Downsizing’ was critically acclaimed in both the UK and US, did you achieve what you set out to do with the album?
We’ve achieved way more, we recorded the album without a label, and now we’re touring the UK!

Your writing has been described as one of the best examples of punk based pop of the 21st century, would you agree?
Wow. That’s very flattering, so that’s ok.

The album includes a couple of great ballads, do you feel comfortable with writing ballads and do you think that the band will progress more in that direction?
Yeah, it’s something we’ve never done before, so we’ll definitely do more.

With the backing of Fuelled by Ramon records, where do you see yourselves in five years time?

Either not touring as much ‘cos we’re rich and have settled down with lots of money, or not touring as much ‘cos we’re poor and we need a different job.

How do you feel about two 16 year olds interviewing and reviewing you?
Its awesome, it’s great to see that you want to do way more than just go to the shows!

For more information and to hear tracks from Ups & Downsizing visit The Swellers MySpace page.