Swans (band)
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Swans were an American industrial/rock band active from 1982 to 1997, lead by Michael Gira.
Swans were one of the few groups to emerge from the New York, USA No Wave scene intact. The band was formed in 1982 by Michael Gira, and employed a shifting line up of musicians between then (the only other constant member was keyboardist/vocalist Jarboe) and their dissolution in 1997.
One of the trademarks of their early work was playing at painfully loud volumes during concerts, to the point that audience members sometimes regurgitated and the police sometimes had to force them to cancel. Though their first few albums were perhaps more influential on other musicians, Swans' later work is often lauded and considered by many fans as equally powerful.
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Early Music
Their early music was typified by slow and grinding guitar noise, and pounded drums, punctuated by Gira's morbid and violent lyrics, usually barked or shouted. Critic Ned Raggett describes Swans' early recordings as "aggressive beyond words." [1]
The debut EP, Swans, released on Labour, is markedly different from anything they would do later. It is actually reminiscent of such post-punk outfits as Joy Division, albeit more violent and slow.
Their first full-length release, Filth (1983), featured driving, choppy rhythms and abrasive drums, but Raggett contends that "early Swans really is like little else on the planet before or since." [2]
Filth was the first album to feature guitarist Norman Westberg, who would play a vital role in much of Swans' music.
Cop (1984) and the originally untitled Young God EP<ref>This release has been known by several names, usually by one of its two A-sides, such as "I Crawled" or, infamously, as "Raping a Slave". This release is often confused with their self-titled debut.</ref> continue in the same vein, reminiscent of heavy metal music played in extreme slow motion.
1986's Greed saw a new addition to the group with vocalist/keyboardist Jarboe joining the band<ref>Jarboe officially first appeared on the Time is Money (Bastard) 12", credited with "scream". Her first track as vocalist and keyboardist for the band was on "Blackmail", B-side from the A Screw 12". This song appears in its single version on the original Greed CD and Greed/Holy Money compilation, and in a less baroque version on Children of God.</ref>. Her presence began a slow thawing in the overt brutality and energy of Swans' early work. Greed also marked the introduction of bassist Algis Kizys as a long-time, near-constant member. This was followed by its "twin" album, Holy Money, first to feature Jarboe on lead vocals.
Children Of God (1987) further expanded Jarboe's role, acting as a foil to Michael Gira's tales of suffering, torture, and humiliation. The almost baroque "In My Garden", for example, added an extra dimension with piano and acoustic guitar. Gira considers this to be the band's major turning point.
Image:Swans whitelightfromthemouthofinfinity.jpg
The Swans also covered Steve Winwood's popular Blind Faith hit "Can't Find My Way Home" in 1989.
The Burning World
The Burning World (1989) was Swans' first and only major label album. Released on the MCA subsidiary Uni, and produced by Bill Laswell it further added to the acoustic element found in Greed.
However the album has been regarded by some fans as a major disappointment, as the line-up was augmented by session musicians and the distinctive heavy guitar element of their earlier work toned down significantly in favor of folk and world music elements.
It was the first Swans album to feature more conventional pop melodies, though Gira's lyrics still favored themes of depression, death, greed and despair, though actually sung, rather than the chanting or shouting typical of earlier material.
At this time, the band also recorded two records under the name World of Skin. This same line-up under a different name (because the name Swans was still under contract to MCA) made much of the same music attempted on "The Burning World" though perhaps more successfully, away from the constraints of MCA.
Later Music
Michael Gira's disillusionment with their MCA exploits led to White Light From The Mouth Of Infinity (1991), a successful blending of earlier hard rock and later pop styles. Produced by Gira, the album blended acoustic rock, blues and hypnotic guitar noise successfully, producing an album more complex than anything they had released in the past. This album was followed by Love Of Life (1992) and The Great Annihilator (1995).
With other projects occupying his time, Michael Gira decided to bring an end to the group with one last album and world tour. Soundtracks For The Blind (1996) was the result: a mammoth two-disc album comprising Jarboe-supplied field recordings, experimental music, dark ambient soundscapes, post-industrial epics, pre-post rock suites and acoustic guitar; Gira, Jarboe and other long time collaborators created one of the most highly regarded albums of their career. Swans Are Dead (1998) brings together live recordings from their 1995 and 1997 tours, documenting the energy and stage presence of Michael Gira and Jarboe.
After dissolving Swans, Gira formed Angels of Light and Jarboe continued her solo work.
Discography
Studio Releases
- Swans [EP] - (1982)
- Filth - (1983)
- Cop - (1984)
- Young God [EP] - (1984)
- Greed - (1986)
- A Screw [EP] - (1986)
- Time is Money (Bastard) [EP] - (1986)
- Holy Money - (1986)
- Children of God - (1987)
- New Mind [EP] - (1987)
- Love Will Tear Us Apart (red) [EP] - (1988)
- Love Will Tear Us Apart (black)<ref>There are two versions of said Joy Division cover, one sung by Jarboe ("black") and another by Gira ("red"), and at least a dozen versions of said EP.</ref> [EP] - (1988)
- The Burning World - (1989)
- Can't Find My Way Home [EP] - (1989)
- Saved [EP] - (1989)
- White Light From The Mouth Of Infinity - (1991)
- Love Of Life - (1992)
- Celebrity Lifestyle [EP] - (1994)
- The Great Annihilator - (1995)
- Die Tür Ist Zu [EP] - (1996)
- Failure/Animus [EP] (1996)
- Soundtracks For The Blind (1996)
Live And Other Releases
- Public Castration Is A Good Idea - (1986)
- Feel Good Now [Live] - (1989)
- Anonymous Bodies In An Empty Room [Live] - (1990)
- Body To Body, Job To Job [Live/Compilation] - (1982-85/1991)
- Real Love [Live] - (1986/1992)
- Kill The Child [Live] - (1985-87/1996)
- Omniscience [Compilation of live performances] - (1992)
- I Am the Sun/My Buried Child [Live] - (1997)
- Children of God/World of Skin [Compilation] - (1997)
- Swans Are Dead [Live] - (1998)
- Cop/Young God/Greed/Holy Money [Compilation] - (1999)
- Various Failiures [Compilation] - (1999)
- Forever Burned [Compilation] - (2003)
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | |||
| US Hot 100 | US Modern Rock | US Mainstream Rock | UK | |||
| 1989 | "Saved" | - | #28 | - | - | The Burning World |
External links
Notes
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See also
The Swans is also the nickname for Swansea City Football Club, based in Wales, UK. Their giant mascot, Cyril the Swan, is renowned for his antics.de:Swans