photo: Fotovitamina
Fresh off the 2010 release of Let It Come Down, The Swigs are reconfigured with two new members creating a dynamic trio smoking more powerfully than ever. With guitar genius madman Kevin Henderson at its core, The Swigs are releasing Johnson Family Values. Mark your calendar for the May 20 CD release.
This eight track, sprawling, seductive piece of propulsive rock orchestration grabbed my ear, pushed me, energized me and got my living room cleaned. Henderson on electric and acoustic guitars, Eric Snyder on bass, and Mike Troupe on percussion know exactly where they are going, and it’s fast and furious. This is progressive rock meets sixties rock & roll meets The Swigs.
From telling the voices in his head to get lost (Transmissions) to channeling David Bowie a la 1967 (Let Me Sleep Beside You), and transforming Alone by the Bee Gees, Henderson has his vocal chops up.
Following The Swig-arranged Swedish traditional tune Amos Ludwig (turned upside and rocked out) the trio let their Stones loose with Downtown Lucy, and it is so so juicy! Joined by Silver Thread Trio, Henderson said recording it was like some sort of “Motown session, they really did their homework.”
Recorded and co-produced by Nathan Sabatino at Loveland Studios, the album was done old school style: analog on two-inch, 16 track tape over a period of three to four weeks and sounds great. It will be released on both CD and vinyl; record buyers will also get a digital copy of the tracks.
Henderson’s immense freaky guitar talent, and with right-in-the-pocket leveling rhythms from percussionist Troupe and bassist Eric Snyder, the sky’s the limit for these guys. I can’t wait to see this live.
The CD release is at Sky Bar, 536 N. 4th Ave. with specials guests starting at 8pm, May 20. Visit SapientRecords.com for details.
