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Swervedriver

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Swervedriver were a 1990s British guitar band initially associated with “shoegazing”, however their heavier rock & roll style also related them to the grunge genre coming from the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Some music writers considered them to be Britain’s answer to this sound. Regardless of labels, the band’s mix of storming and swirling guitar experimentation often crossed into psychedelia, coupled with mystical lyrics that often praised the nihilism of sports cars, racing and the open road. Swervedriver defied any passing fad and are hailed by fans and many music critics as the most underrated rock group of the 90’s.

History

Early years

Their origins sprung from Oxford in 1984 with the formation of a group called Shake Appeal, named after a song from one of their main influences, The Stooges. Consisting of vocalist/guitarists Adam Franklin and Jimmy Hartridge, lead vocalist Graham Franklin (Adam’s brother), bassist Adi Vines, and drummer Paddy Pulzer; Shake Appeal went ahead reproducing the sounds of American garage rock of the late 60’s and early 70’s. The group wrote what would become Swervedriver’s first classic “Son of Mustang Ford,” however after a few years the band began to fall apart when both Graham and Paddy left.

The remaining three members drafted drummer Graham Bonnar, but by this time the group’s sound mutated significantly under the influence of re-invented guitar music by American bands like Dinosaur Jr., and Sonic Youth. So with a new lineup and new sound came a new name, Swervedriver.

Tagged as:

shoegaze, indie rock, alternative, indie, rock
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Mezcal Head
Swervedriver
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Raise
Swervedriver
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Juggernaut Rides '89-'98
Swervedriver
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99th Dream
Swervedriver
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Top Tracks

1	Duel full track	278
2	Sci-Flyer full track	125
3	Duress full track	116
4	Girl On A Motorbike full track	113
5	Son of Mustang Ford	108
6	A Change Is Gonna Come full track	106
6	MM Abduction full track	106
8	Rave Down	104
8	Blowin' Cool full track	104
10	Deep Seat full track	102
11	Last Train to Satansville	100
12	For Seeking Heat	94
13	Pile-Up full track	84
14	Feel So Real full track	76
15	Sunset full track	75

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atmos_ wrote:
last month

drive fast, take chances

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Roncsipar wrote:
last month

It's always happening in the now.

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mellohippo wrote:
last month

just heard these guys.. right up my ally

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simillarian wrote:
last month

hmmm... should i drive 375 miles to see swervedriver? Decisions.. decisions..

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bitt3r-sw33t wrote:
last month

great band

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acid-food wrote:
September 2009

grand

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iDLB wrote:
September 2009

Favorite band ever.

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horridtrhee wrote:
September 2009

weasome band

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Stretchead wrote:
September 2009

a great band!!!!!!!!

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leafmelon wrote:
September 2009

The Swervies still tour?? I want to go...

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leafmelon wrote:
September 2009

\m/

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shallowdaydream wrote:
September 2009

THE BEST BAND ON THE WORLD...EVER!

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sstereobabe wrote:
August 2009

incrível!

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carpetguy wrote:
August 2009

this band was/are awesome. duress is epic.

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lucas_issa wrote:
August 2009

SWERVEDRIVER IS GOD!

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sunsamba wrote:
August 2009

son of mustang ford is a massive tune

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dariobicio wrote:
August 2009

esto esta pocamadre cabron

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Mellow_Dude wrote:
August 2009

Great band

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zoobird wrote:
August 2009

awesome... the great lost 90's band.

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OCVfan wrote:
July 2009

give a listen to my fav-band! www.myspace.com/ourceasingvoice

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Videos

Events

Nov 26 Swervedriver O2 Academy Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Nov 27 Reverence #2 ICA, London, United Kingdom
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Nov 28 Swervedriver Garage, London, United Kingdom
3 shouts | 27 attendees

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Recent Activity

killkaspa added Swervedriver to killkaspa’s library. 12 hours ago
Acquiescence wrote about Swervedriver in My Top 50 Albums of 2009. 12 hours ago
N_M_A_, airnaud, richrand and 15 other people added Swervedriver to their libraries. yesterday morning
chopchopchop wrote about Swervedriver in top 50 albums. last week
chopchopchop wrote about Swervedriver – Raise in top 50 albums. last week
nagonzal, madseason19, sonikmike and 12 other people added Swervedriver to their libraries. last week
mlikman tagged Swervedriver with ‘shoegaze’. last week
BRDRUM206, jenna12381, ALittleArcade and 31 other people added Swervedriver to their libraries. last week
Simophon added Swervedriver to Simophon’s library. 27 days ago
Simophon tagged Swervedriver with ‘investigate further’. 27 days ago