Swish (band)
Encyclopedia
Swish is an American indie rock band founded by Lori Martin (now Lori Martin Gregory) in the fall of 1995 in Boston, Massachusetts, and includes guitarist Joe Boyle and Dinosaur, Jr. drummer Patrick "Murph" Murphy. Martin founded the project after playing in the Boston music scene for years, including a brief European tour as a fill-in bassist for Helium
, between Brian Dunton and Ash Bowie
of Polvo
.
In the summer of 1996, Don Fleming
produced a 7-song Swish EP, "Supermax," which was released on his Instant Mayhem label and distributed by Caroline/Virgin Records in seven countries. The EP features a track, "Game," which was recorded and engineered by Wally Gagel
and includes a cello track by Duke Roth, formerly of Bullet Lavolta
.
"Supermax" was well received among indie rock critics. M. Tye Comer of the CMJ New Music Report described the disc as "emotionally dense tracks (that) trudge along like angels walking barefoot on cobblestone," (Review, "CMJ New Music Report," M. Tye Comer, June 3, 1996) and John Elsasser of Magnet Magazine declared that "Martin has the kind of voice you could listen to for hours," (Review, "Magnet Magazine," John Elsasser, Aug./Sept. 1996). Following the disc's release Swish toured briefly with Mike Watt
(at the time featuring guitarist Nels Cline
, now of Wilco
), playing shows in Boston, Western Massachusetts and New York.
In 1997, Murph also signed on to drum for Evan Dando
and The Lemonheads
, for which he brought Martin along who was offered by Dando to play bass for the project. However, Martin declined to join.
After several years on hiatus, Martin has relocated to the Los Angeles area where she is now working again as a songwriter and composer, preparing for a new Swish release, The Sleeping Dirt (including original members Murph and Joe).
Helium
Helium is the chemical element with atomic number 2 and an atomic weight of 4.002602, which is represented by the symbol He. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, inert, monatomic gas that heads the noble gas group in the periodic table...
, between Brian Dunton and Ash Bowie
Ash Bowie
Ash Bowie is an American musician.In 1990, he formed the band Polvo along with Dave Brylawski, Steve Popson, and Eddie Watkins. Polvo was influential in the then-thriving indie rock scene in the United States. In 1995, he became the bassist for Helium, after their previous bass player left the...
of Polvo
Polvo
Polvo is an American indie noise rock band from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The band, formed in 1990, is fronted by guitarists/vocalists Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski. Brian Quast plays drums, and Steve Popson plays bass guitar...
.
In the summer of 1996, Don Fleming
Don Fleming
Donald Denver "Don" Fleming was an American college and professional football player who was a defensive back in the National Football League for three seasons in the early 1960s. Fleming played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played professionally for the...
produced a 7-song Swish EP, "Supermax," which was released on his Instant Mayhem label and distributed by Caroline/Virgin Records in seven countries. The EP features a track, "Game," which was recorded and engineered by Wally Gagel
Wally Gagel
Walton Steven “Wally” Gagel is an American record producer, songwriter, engineer and musician. He came into prominence in 1996 for his work on the Billboard Top 40 hit Natural One by the band Folk Implosion....
and includes a cello track by Duke Roth, formerly of Bullet Lavolta
Bullet lavolta
Bullet LaVolta was a post-punk band from Boston, Massachusetts that was originally formed in January 1987 by four college disk jockeys: Clay Tarver , Bill Whelan , Corey "Loog" Brennan and Chris "Cruster" Guttmacher . The band later added singer Yukkie Gipe after he responded to an advertisement...
.
"Supermax" was well received among indie rock critics. M. Tye Comer of the CMJ New Music Report described the disc as "emotionally dense tracks (that) trudge along like angels walking barefoot on cobblestone," (Review, "CMJ New Music Report," M. Tye Comer, June 3, 1996) and John Elsasser of Magnet Magazine declared that "Martin has the kind of voice you could listen to for hours," (Review, "Magnet Magazine," John Elsasser, Aug./Sept. 1996). Following the disc's release Swish toured briefly with Mike Watt
Mike Watt
Michael David Watt is an American bassist, singer and songwriter.He is best known for co-founding the rock bands Minutemen, dos, and Firehose; , he is also the bassist for the reunited Stooges and a member of the art rock/jazz/punk/improv group Banyan as well as many other post-Minutemen...
(at the time featuring guitarist Nels Cline
Nels Cline
Nels Cline is an American guitarist and composer, currently the lead guitarist of alternative rock band Wilco. David Carr of the New York Times describes Cline as "one of the best guitarists in any genre."-Career:...
, now of Wilco
Wilco
Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...
), playing shows in Boston, Western Massachusetts and New York.
In 1997, Murph also signed on to drum for Evan Dando
Evan Dando
Evan Griffith Dando is an American musician, most famous for fronting the alternative rock band The Lemonheads. He is the only original member left in the current Lemonheads line-up, having served as lead singer since the band's original formation in 1986...
and The Lemonheads
The Lemonheads
The Lemonheads are an American alternative rock band first formed in 1986 by Evan Dando, Ben Deily and Jesse Peretz. Dando has remained the band's only constant member....
, for which he brought Martin along who was offered by Dando to play bass for the project. However, Martin declined to join.
After several years on hiatus, Martin has relocated to the Los Angeles area where she is now working again as a songwriter and composer, preparing for a new Swish release, The Sleeping Dirt (including original members Murph and Joe).
EP's
| Title | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Supermax Supermax Supermax is the name used to describe "control-unit" prisons, or units within prisons, which represent the most secure levels of custody in the prison systems of certain countries... |
1996 | Instant Mayhem Records |