A. Swayze and the Ghosts are undeniably one of Tasmanian’s finest exports (along with southern gothicism, unfiltered Gin and the Dark Mofo Festival).
Building up quite a reputation across Australia, they have just released a fantastic new single and announced a tour of the US – treading the well worn path of Australian bands to conquer the world. And with their live reputation and the strength of singles like this, they deserve to conquer at will.
‘Mess of Me’ has a raw post-punk new wave feel – think early Elvis Costello, or the Undertones with unadorned guitar, expressive vocals and mountain range-high choruses. There is also a tangible element of the new contemporary wave of post-punk bands encapsulated by IDLES, Fontaines D.C. and The Murder Capital. And, of course, the essential rock’n’roll ingredient of swagger and attitude is present.
Front man, Andrew Swayze says of the single:
This song discusses inheritance. Not the conventional heirloom, but the type of negative trait you may learn as a child voyeur of your surroundings. Hendrik brought the song to us with the chorus “you’re always trying to make a mess of me”. Since I don’t have any saboteur but myself, I changed his lyrics and wrote the rest around the new chorus.”
It is a fresh and authentic sound from the Hobart band that creates an exciting momentum and clear development. The accompanying video is a groundhog-day inspired story, directed by Nick Green:
The single is available through all the usual download/streaming sites here.
A. Swayze and the Ghosts are embarking on an ambitious North American tour in April and May:
North American Tour
Sun 26 Apr | Washington, DC | DC9
Mon 27 Apr | Allston, MA | Great Scott
Wed 29 Apr | Brooklyn, NY | Baby’s All Right
Thu 30 Apr | Philadelphia, PA | Milkboy
Sat 2 May | Atlanta, GA | Shaky Knees Music Festival
Tue 5 May | Los Angeles, CA | The Echo
Wed 6 May | San Francisco, CA | Bottom of the Hill
For all ticket information, head to www.aswayzeandtheghosts.com
Australia
Sat 30 May | The Big Music Pineapple Festival
A.Swayze and the Ghosts are:
Andrew Swayze
Hendrik Wipprecht
Zackary Blain
Ben Simms
Photo: Rick Clifford
