Interview with Swilson

Swilson

How many great things have come out of the state of New Jersey?

Naturally, there's Kevin Smith and Crew, but let's not forget that Scott Mosier came from Vancouver, BC Canada.

Well, according to Classic Rock Magazine's Ken McIntyre, Jersey City, NJ is home to the greatest band of the 22nd Century!

Glacially Musical is quite thrilled to be in the presence of such future historical figures. You might not know yet, as it's still only the 21st Century, but they've released Swilson on CD, LP, and Cassette. 

Find out all about that sweet ordering goodness on BANDCAMP. In case you're a friendly sort, get into a heated political debate with them on FACEBOOK.

Glacially Musical: Thank you for taking some time for me today.

Swilson: No problem! I’m into it. Thanks for wanting to talk.

GM: Your sound, is both unusual and familiar at the same time. How did you cobble it together?

SW: I’ve been attracted to outside and inside sounds my whole life. I love mainstream rock and roll like Kiss, Zeppelin, UFO and Deep Purple just as much as I love Roky Erickson, Paul Chain, Bob Desper, and White Boy and the Average Rat Band. 

I also feel like I’ve straddled that line in my personal life. I dig the “square” life just as much as the freak scene and have lived deep in both. 

GM: In this modern age, it's fashionable to be a throwback to the 70's. You've got Greta Van Fleet recreating Led Zeppelin, and there's an entire Swedish 70's rock movement going on. Your album though...I hear some Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis. Tell me about what you hear in your music.

SW: It’s true! I feel like the concept of rock music is getting clouded with too many genres. I realized that if you wanted to be a rock band you better actually play rock. 

That meant understanding the fundamentals of the 50’s.  It was easy because my first records were from my dad who was a real 50s teenage greaser type. I used to play Bo Diddley, Buddy Knox, Little Richard, Gene Vincent and Chuck Berry on my Fisher Price record player. 

GM: What do you think is the most important part of a song?

SW: A hook. It should include as many hooks as you could slam into one song. Even the best prog rock bands load their songs with hooks.

GM: When I hear about New Jersey, the only thing I think about it is Kevin Smiths View Askewniverse. Is your life there anything like the Quick Stop?

SW: It indeed was when I was younger. That movie was incredibly accurate. New Jersey Is a paradise of convenience.

GM: I would also posit that most Americans don't really know what life in New Jersey is like. Tell us about where you live.

SW: Well, that’s a hard question to answer. Northern New Jersey is the 6th borough of New York City, and South Jersey is a suburb of Philadelphia. 

Then there is the Jersey Shore, where I grew up - and that’s a free for all in the summer. Everybody swarms on the place and goes nuts for three months than the area is a ghost town. 

It’s a real horror show but also very beautiful. 

Also, New Jersey has and always will have a powerful immigrant influence that is ever changing the face of the state. It’s also very educated, very affluent and very angry. 

People from New Jersey are not afraid of confrontation which is alienating to outsiders….oh, and the food is fantastic.  

GM: Your record blows up as soon as it gets started. Is there any chance you can slow down and write a sappy song about feeling ways about things, like lost puppies, or the Dark Lord Satan?

SW: I like to listen to mellow music, but I can’t make mellow music. I’m way too nervous and excited when I pick up a guitar.

GM: Will we be seeing your smiling faces on tour out here in Flyover Country? Namely, St. Louis?

SW: Yes! Somebody get us a show! I've heard they love heavy music in the Midwest. 

GM: What made you decide to put your records out on wax?

SW: Vinyl is the best, right?That’s the only thing that makes it real. Otherwise, in the digital age, there is nothing to have and to hold. 

GM: What are the five most important albums of all time?

SW: Tough question. I guess if you mean by important, the most influential,  I think the five most important albums of all time, objectively, are the ones everyone thinks are the most influential.  

The five records I wish were the most important of all time are:

Cirith Ungol - Frost And Fire

Neil Merryweather - Space Rangers

Ice Dragon - Dream Dragon

Les Rallizes Denudes - Heavier Than A Death In The Family

Scorpions - In Trance

But only in a parallel universe…. 

GM: Who would win in a fight, Chuck Norris or Sho Kusogi? Please show your work.

SW: I asked guitar player extraordinaire in Swilson, Squeaky Dave, and he says without a doubt Kusogi. But everybody likes Chuck Norris. (NOTE: This is absolutely correct.)