The Return of Swervedriver

Image via Space Baby

We've praised a few of the early '90's "Shoegaze" gods on this blog in the past (My Bloody Valentine & Chapterhouse, among others), and it is long past due that we gave props to another legendary band from that era, Swervedriver. Hailing from Oxford, England (along with perhaps the best band of the bunch, Ride), Swervedriver hit the UK music scene like an Atom bomb in 1991 with the release of their debut album, Raise. Their sound was fast, frenetic, and LOUD, a blistering torrent of dueling guitars that approximated a souped-up muscle car hurtling down a desolate highway late at night. Swervedriver's fascination with driving fast wasn't just limited to the band's name. Raise and their equally scorching second release, 1993's Mezcal Head, featured song titles such as "Pile-up", "Son of Mustang Ford", "Deep Seat", "Duel", "For Seeking Heat", and "Girl on a Motorbike".


The band released a couple more albums in the ensuing years to lesser acclaim. Coupled with a number of bad experiences with various record labels, and strained relations between members, Swervedriver went on hiatus in 1998. A decade later, they reunited for a world tour, including a slot on that year's Coachella Festival. Now the group is touring once more, and will be playing here in Chicago next Tuesday at The Bottom Lounge. Last night the band played on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. They played two songs including "Son of Mustang Ford". Watch it here.

I gotta admit I'm rather underwhelmed after listening to the Fallon clips, as the band sounds kinda tired and ragged, and incapable of matching the relentless fury of their earlier days in the studio. Perhaps I'll show up at the Bottom Lounge on Tuesday to hear it straight from the source. Regardless, Swervedriver in their prime could melt faces with the best of 'em...