It’s a world where Star Wars cyborgs cavort with horned creatures and scythe-wielding skeletons. Feasting on a falcon is advocated.
It might not strike one as the source material for a pop album, but “Itemlord,” the first full-length release from The Sw!ms since 2005, is just that: a catchy collection of foot-tapping tunes. The long-time-coming album comes out March 24 on Maryland label Wallride Records.
“Itemlord” was recorded in 2006 and 2007 at the East Scranton home studio of Sw!ms guitarist Michael Nordberg, who produced and mixed. Like the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink cover art, it’s an ADD-addled romp through styles, but it makes for a nonetheless cohesive listen. The power pop of “EV-9D9,” the punky garage rock of “Descend Into My Cape” and the regal balladry of “Celery Clothes” all work together in the fantasy landscape conjured by singer/guitarist/songwriter Brian Langan.
“I’m writing more or less to make myself happier, whereas before I think we were trying to go for a certain thing,” Langan says over late-afternoon nachos last Friday at Panchero’s in Moosic’s Shoppes at Montage. “There were never any rules, like we have to write this sort of song, but anymore, if it makes me happy, and the guys are OK with it, we go with it.”
That’s not the only change in The Sw!ms since 2005’s “Ride The Blueberry Winter” album. Since then, the band has had three drummers — Neil McCann, who played on “Itemlord,” Pat Finnerty who filled in live, and current member Lee Ashlin — and a new record label. “Blueberry” was released on now-defunct Scranton label Prison Jazz. “Itemlord” will be the first ever CD release for Wallride, which specialized in vinyl, including the vinyl edition of “Blueberry.”
The band will perform acoustic sets in Scranton Friday at Northern Light Espresso Bar (free, all ages) and Saturday (at The Bog), the latter as part of The Mishaps’ CD-release show.
The addition of drummer Ashlin, Langan says, gives the band more of a ’60s garage band feel to its live shows.
The band also features Matt Walsh on bass and keyboardist Phillip Reynolds Price, who, besides Langan, is the only original Sw!m.
The Sw!ms have built a solid local fanbase at all-ages venues like Caf� Metropolis in Wilkes-Barre and bars like The Bog in Scranton, as well as an increasing profile in Baltimore. Langan says they’re looking to expand their reach, even locally.
“It seems that lately that The Bog and ‘the Adams Ave. scene’ or whatever people are calling it, are getting a lot of crap for being clique-y, but I don’t look at it that way,” Langan says. “These are people I’ve been friends with for years, likeminded people doing things they like to do. Unfortunately around here, there are two kinds of people: the whole original band and cover band thing. …”
On April 22, The Sw!ms will for the first time play at Concert for A Cause, the seventh annual event which will be held at The Woodlands.
“That Concert for A Cause thing, we’re really looking forward to it,” Langan explains with enthusiasm. “I think that’s going to be some people we haven’t played to yet. That’s the tough thing around here, too. Playing original music, most of the time you reach the point where everyone that’s going to like us in the area already likes us.”
When The Sw!ms do find their way onto bills with bands outside their usual scene, the results have been positive.
“It was neat when we played the Steamtown Original Music Showcase,” Langan says, referring to the annual event held in September. “The other bands we played with were really cool, like Spit Can and Ashfall. They were totally different but really into what we were doing, because it’s just catchy pop music, but at the same time it’s kind of more rock.”
A pop band in sorcerer’s garb, The Sw!ms are known to add visual element to their shows, with Langan wont to wear capes, Viking accessories and other accoutrements. The frontman, who is also a visual artist and spent 100 hours on the “Itemlord” artwork, says it’s simply a case of bringing together different enjoyable aspects of his life.
“I try to incorporate everything I like into the music and art. … I like video games, I like fantasy movies, I like having a girlfriend and stuff like that,” he says. “I try to put them all together. I always worry if the band broke up, I’m afraid the next thing I’d do would be almost the same thing. I don’t try to do a certain thing; it’s what I know and what I like.”
Up next for the band is the formation of a fan guild, which for a membership fee will include a newsletter and merchandise deals, as well as a possible single release, featuring some extra songs, and eventually a new full-length, which The Sw!ms have already begun working on.
First up, though, is “Itemlord” and an accompanying CD-release show on April 4 at Metropolis. Due to budget restraints — the band is paying off its touring van — the show might not be as extensive as The Sw!ms would like, but it wouldn’t be advised for to expect the usual, either.
“Of course I want a 40-foot falcon to breathe lightning,” Langan says, and you can tell he’s not kidding.
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