History
Early years
Their origins sprung from Oxford, United Kingdom in 1984 with the formation of a group called Shake Appeal, named after a song from one of their main influences, The Stooges. Consisting of vocalist/guitarists Adam Franklin and Jimmy Hartridge, lead vocalist Graham Franklin (Adam's brother), bassist Adi Vines, and drummer Paddy Pulzer; Shake Appeal went ahead reproducing the sounds of American garage rock of the late 60's and early 70's. The group wrote what would become Swervedriver's first classic "Son of Mustang Ford," however after a few years the band began to fall apart when both Graham and Paddy left.
The remaining three members drafted drummer Graham Bonnar, but by this time the group's sound mutated significantly under the influence of re-invented guitar music by American bands like Dinosaur Jr., and Sonic Youth. So with a new lineup and new sound came a new name, Swervedriver. Their hometown colleagues from fellow shoegazing group Ride passed their re-recorded demo of "Son of Mustang Ford" to Alan McGee of Creation Records; who, as legend has it, played the tape for the first time while cruising the inner streets of Los Angeles in a limo. The experience caused him sign the band immediately.
First album and possible breakup
Merging the whirling qualities of the shoegazer genre with heavy distorted guitars, and lyrics often featuring cars and escapism, the group debuted with a series of EPs; "Son of Mustang Ford," "Rave Down" and "Sandblasted," before issuing their full-length album debut "Raise" in 1991. Then after a U.S. tour in support of Soundgarden, Bonner left the band; the departure of Vines followed shortly afterwards. Bonner and Vines would eventually go on to form a new group called Skyscraper. Swervedriver's final release with the original lineup, 1992's "Never Lose That Feeling" EP, appeared to be the group's last.
Release of Mezcal Head
But in 1993, Swervedriver re-emerged with the core of Franklin and Hartridge along with newly recruited drummer Jez, and released their landmark album "Mezcal Head." If "Raise" was a product featuring a love of Americana, escapism and the open highway, then "Mezcal Head" was all that, but broadcast in IMAX with Dolby surround sound. Production and sound were greatly improved, and the album gave them their most successful single "Duel," hailed as one of the premier songs of the shoegazer genre. The album clearly forged a permanent link with their American fans, and made them more popular there than in their own native Britain. During this era, the fabled b-side "The Hitcher" found a release on the "Last Train to Satansville" EP. "The Hitcher" is widely considered to be a fan favorite.
Ejector Seat Reservation & Britpop
1994 found the band adding new bassist Steve George, along with extensive touring of the U.S. (supporting The Smashing Pumpkins), Japan and Europe. However by then the shoegazing genre in Britain was dead, replaced by the more mainstream Britpop movement hi-lighted by bands such as Oasis and Blur. The massive rise of Britpop caused Creation Records to drop the band just one week after the U.K. release of 1995 album "Ejector Seat Reservation." It was never released in the U.S. where they could have capitalized on the momentum of "Mezcal Head." ESR was another leap forward for the band, incorporating a wider number of influences from Elvis Costello to Bob Dylan. It saw the group grow into rebel visionaries and received the highest critical acclaim; however without any record company support it was doomed to be their poorest selling venture. This began a period of protracted record label problems for the band which fans dubbed the Swervedriver label curse.
Final years
In 1996, Swervedriver signed on with Geffen Records with a multi-record deal, and promptly began recording their fourth album. However their contract was terminated when their A&R (Artists & Repertoire) representative was fired in a corporate downsizing. Once the legal dust settled the band was awarded their own recording studio along with the finished album, however it was still a major setback. Their fourth and final album "99th Dream" was finally released in 1998 after signing on with Zero Hour Records of the U.S., and it continued the evolution that began with "Ejector Seat Reservation." Drawing less from their earlier ‘grunge' sound, the band never the less maintained their swerving, pyschedelic guitar rifts coupled with Franklin's magical lyrics and droning vocals, and was another brilliant body of work. The group continued to draw on a broader range of musical influences; for example the title track "99th Dream" was written as a prequel to Bob Dylan's song "115th Dream." Despite this album easily containing a half dozen possible hit singles, and a successful tour of the U.S., Britain and Australia; they did not break out beyond their traditional cult following. The "Wrong Treats" EP released in 1999 would become the bands last body of work as an extant group; they announced a hiatus later that year that persists to this day. Adam Franklin continues to release albums under his new band Toshack Highway.
In 2005, Castle Music released a Swervedriver anthology album titled "Juggernaut Rides" which brought together 33 songs; including many only available on rare EPs, and four that were previously unreleased..
In Late 2007 the Creation Records web site confirmed Swervedriver was reuniting for a 2008 tour.
Origins of name
How Swervedriver settled on their name has been the subject of debate among their fans for many years. During interviews whenever questioned on this topic, the band would simply respond that it was just a name; as The Beatles were just a name (in reference to that band's simple response in many early interviews). However Adam Franklin had once mentioned the band liked the connotation of a speeding driver, swerving and ultimately losing control of their car.
Discography
Full length albums
* Raise (1991)
* Mezcal Head (1993)
* Ejector Seat Reservation (1995)
* 99th Dream (1998)
* Juggernaut Rides 1989-1998 (2005) - 2 CD set
*I Wasn't Born to Lose You(2015)
*Future Ruins(2019)
Singles/EPs
* Son of Mustang Ford (1991)
* Rave Down (1991)
* Sandblasted (1991)
* Reel To Real (1991)
* Never Lose That Feeling (1993)
* Duel (1993)
* Last Train To Satansville (1993)
* My Zephyr (1994)
* Magic Bus (1994) - from Day Tripper movie soundtrack
* Last Day on Earth (1995)
* Swervedriver / Sophia Split (1996)
* 93 Million Miles From the Sun ... and Counting (1997)
* Space Travel Rock 'n' Roll (1998)
* Wrong Treats (1999)
For Seeking Heat
Swervedriver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never hearing any word that I say
Eyes reeling from deadly pleasure
The last second don't count anyway
Without the safety net you're freed
To find serene pleasure of speed
A blur of beauty, intoxicating
Head clear cold chassis shaking
Encounter of body and mind
Erupting violent machine
Precise exultance so serene
Poised between risk and calculation
In a kind of wide-awake alert daze
Pretty pirouette accelerating
Beyond living in so many ways
Without the safety net you're freed
To find serene pleasure of speed
Erupting violent machine
Precise exultance so serene
The lyrics in Swervedriver's "For Seeking Heat" paint a vivid picture of someone experiencing the thrill of speed, racing through life without a safety net. The singer feels like they are being left behind as the person they are addressing "circles miles above" them, seemingly indifferent to anything they say. The rush they feel from the reckless abandon of living in the moment, with "eyes reeling from deadly pleasure," is worth any risk. The lyrics describe a mix of fear and excitement, as the singer is "poised between risk and calculation," feeling the "head clear cold chassis shaking" and the "encounter of body and mind" that comes with stepping outside of one's comfort zone. The machine is described as both "violent" and "precise," conveying the sense of control that can come with surrendering oneself to adrenaline-fueled experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
You seem to circle miles above me
I feel like you are so far out of reach and untouchable
Never hearing any word that I say
You don't seem to listen or care about my words or feelings
Eyes reeling from deadly pleasure
You are dizzy and consumed by dangerous and thrilling sensations
The last second don't count anyway
You are living in the moment, disregarding consequences or risks
Without the safety net you're freed
Without any safety measures, you are liberated to explore new experiences
To find serene pleasure of speed
You aim to discover untroubled joy from moving at a high velocity
A blur of beauty, intoxicating
The experience is so fast and alluring that it's almost mesmerizing
Existence outstripped, outshined
The thrill of the moment surpasses and eclipses everything else in existence
Head clear cold chassis shaking
Your mind is focused and alert, even as your body vibrates with excitement
Encounter of body and mind
The experience is not only physical but also mental and emotional
Erupting violent machine
Your physical being is erupting with seemingly uncontrollable energy
Precise exultance so serene
Despite the chaos, you experience a sense of peaceful and euphoric precision
Poised between risk and calculation
You are balancing between taking a chance and weighing the consequences
In a kind of wide-awake alert daze
You are fully conscious but in a state of almost dreamlike awareness
Pretty pirouette accelerating
The movement is graceful and beautiful, even as it speeds up
Beyond living in so many ways
It feels like an experience that transcends normal existence
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ADAM FRANKLIN, JIMMY HARTRIDGE, JEREMY HINDMARSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
bob cooper
one of the best bands ever! highly underrated song writing
simone carniel
one of the best albums of the 90s
Shoegazer 93
Such mean guitar and drumming! This track on is incredible! What an epic album opener!
Kelly Longman
This album is one of the highlights of my youth. Fucking epic. Seen them once live, will never forget it.
Peach
Such a great album. I will always think of driving to my first job in the snow
SoundW0RM
The guitar tones and use of wah and distortion on this record are so cool, almost makes the guitars sound like they’re growling just like the bull on the cover art
SexyLamb
underrated as fuck thanks for putting this up
Jenna Salzan
These guys are awesome! If I didn’t know this came out in 1995, I would have never guessed it was that old. Wow. I can’t wait to listen to this whole album because this track is pretty killer.
Jackjude
sounds very early 90's, alternative rock today doesn't sound like this
ibelieveicansoar
It came out in 1993, the greatest year in the year in the history of music (aside from maybe 1985). Check out the ‘93 albums by Catherine Wheel, Slowdive, the Posies, Bailter Space, Verve, Polvo, Nudeswirl, Sepultura, Unwound, Seefeel, Insides, Pearl Jam, A Tribe Called Quest, Moonshake, Primus, Tool, Velocity Girl, Machines Of Loving Grace, Nirvana, Juliana Hatfield Three, Smashing Pumpkins, and of course Swervedriver. (The Swervies opened for the Pumpkins on tour in late ‘93.) Plus many of 1994’s best albums were recorded in ‘93: Soundgarden, Starflyer 59, The Sea And Cake, Lush, Bark Psychosis, Nine Inch Nails, Tori Amos, Hole, Chokebore, etc. Definitely check out Nudeswirl and Polvo if you dig Swervedriver.