Influenced by the disparate likes of T. Rex and the German progressive outfit Can, they created a new soundscape that would be heavily mined by others in the post-punk era. Despite existing in various forms since 1972, Swell Maps only really came together as a musical entity after the birth of British punk rock.
Consisting of brothers Epic Soundtracks (real name Kevin Godfrey) and Nikki Sudden (real name Nicholas Godfrey) two Solihull based teenagers, plus Richard Earl, David Barrington, John Cockrill and Jowe Head, the band cut the single "Read About Seymour" as their debut in 1977, soon after the brothers left Solihull School (also home of Spizzenergi). It is widely considered one of the classic punk era singles. Epic's drumming mixed with Nikki's unique melodies crafted over the assorted threads cast by the six musicians set the band apart from the others. After recording their first John Peel session Swell Maps went into WMRS studio to record their first album A Trip to Marineville, which was released in 1979. With hard rocking punk numbers like "H.S. Art" interspersed by ambient instrumentals and other experimental interludes like "Gunboats", the album marked the band out as innovative non-musicians. The album went #1 on the new Independent chart.
The band cut one more album, The Swell Maps in 'Jane From Occupied Europe', in 1980, which pushed further into post-punk territory. They displayed their ingenuity for creating everything from industrial surf instrumentals like the opener "Robot Factory" to perverse ballads like "Cake Shop Girl". Even while they were falling apart during these sessions they were pushing the musical boundaries beyond what punk originally had to offer. They sought to release much of their early forays in lo-fi experimenation in the compilation, Whatever Happens Next..., before splitting up.
Since their split the legend of the Swell Maps has grown, through their influence on the C86 bands, lo-fi, and other pioneers like Sonic Youth and Pavement. Individual members of the band (especially Nikki Sudden, Epic Soundtracks and Jowe Head) went on to solo careers. The band's catalogue has recently been remastered and reissued and further dips into their archives can be expected. An EP of especially zany tracks was released under the name of the Phones Sportsman Band in 1980. After an interval of over 25 years away from music, the Phones Sportsman Band has now reformed in January 2008.
Epic Soundtracks died of unknown causes at the age of 37 in 1997 and Nikki Sudden died in March 2006.
Read About Seymour
Swell Maps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the news that found it’s way
To where I sleep and seek to be,
Where I am, I hear, I see.
Read about Seymour in my mind.
Window stacks across the blinds.
The lightning tower on Pyre Hill.
Don’t look out!
Don’t look out!
Don’t look out!
Don’t look out!
Read about Seymour, look my way.
Feel him near day after day
All cutlass and alone, alas.
The spirit sank like mourning glass.
Read about Seymour yesterday.
In the news that found it’s way
To where I sleep and seek to be,
Where I am, I hate to see.
Don’t look out!
Don’t look out!
Don’t look out!
Don’t look out!
The song “Read About Seymour” by Swell Maps reflects on the impact of media on the mind and emotions of the listener. The lyrics seem to be about a character named Seymour, who is seen in the news, in the mind and in the surroundings. The lyrics express ambivalence towards Seymour, as he is both near and far, lonely and threatening. The repeated refrain “Don’t look out!” creates a sense of fear and tension, as if there is something ominous lurking outside the window.
The first verse uses repetition and alliteration to emphasize that Seymour is everywhere, even in the place where the singer sleeps and seeks to be. The second verse describes the view from the window, with stacks of buildings and a lightning tower on Pyre Hill. The lightning tower could symbolize the ominous presence that Seymour represents. The third verse is the most ambiguous, as it is not clear who is speaking or what is happening. The words “all cutlass and alone, alas” suggest that Seymour may be a dangerous figure, or at least a sad one. The line “the spirit sank like mourning glass” evokes a sense of loss and grief.
Overall, the song creates a feeling of unease and uncertainty. The lyrics suggest that media can invade our private spaces and shape our perceptions of the world around us. The song leaves us with a sense of unresolved tension and a warning not to look too closely at the darkness lurking outside.
Line by Line Meaning
Read about Seymour yesterday.
I learned about Seymour from recent news.
In the news that found it’s way
The news was delivered to me.
To where I sleep and seek to be,
I strive to be where I am now, the place I rest in.
Where I am, I hear, I see.
I am aware of my surroundings.
Read about Seymour in my mind.
I create a mental image of Seymour.
Window stacks across the blinds.
I see a building with windows on top of one another.
The lightning tower on Pyre Hill.
I envision a tall tower on top of a hill that attracts lightning.
I wonder where I’ll find my fill.
I wonder where I can find what I'm looking for.
Don’t look out!
I warn myself not to look outside.
Feel him near day after day
I sense Seymour's presence every day.
All cutlass and alone, alas.
Seymour is isolated and lonely.
The spirit sank like mourning glass.
Sorrowful emotions arise when I think of Seymour.
Where I am, I hate to see.
I dislike the place where I currently am.
Don’t look out!
Again, I remind myself not to look outside.
Contributed by Abigail Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.