As well as being classed as a "punk revival" band (reminiscent of UK 1970s bands such as Stiff Little Fingers, The Damned, Sham 69 and Eddie & the Hot Rods), Swingin' Utters have increasingly shown themselves to be influenced by Irish folk, particularly The Pogues. The Utters paid homage to their influences with a stellar cover of Cocksparrer's I Got Your Number on the Blackout compilation Punk Rock Jukebox.
Members of the Swingin' Utters have been involved in many musical side-projects, most notably Johnny Bonnel and Darius Koski's Filthy Thieving Bastards and Druglords of the Avenue (formed in Oakland, California in 2004), and Spike Slawson's Me First and the Gimme Gimmes (in which he is the singer). Drummer Greg McIntee's side project Viva Hate was founded with Tiger Army bassist Geoff Kresge and singer Matt Wedgley of The Force. Guitarist Jack Dalrymple formed and fronted the Fat Wreck band Dead to Me after One Man Army disbanded. Dalrymple, Slawson and Koski also play together in the Re-Volts.
Swingin' Utters tracks have been used in the soundtracks of computer games including "Five Lessons Learned", which appeared on the soundtrack to the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 and "Stupid Lullabies" which was used as the title track to Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX.
Keep Running
Swingin' Utters Lyrics
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And you keep running from yourself from everyone from each new day
You never felt true pleasure or fell ill from real pain but you complain so consistently as if you've been betrayed and nothing's ever met the guidelines that you set for each new day and there's always something standing nonchalantly in your way To all the optimistic players you heave a sigh those loyalists keep counting on everything being worthwhile but you don't catch the light of day and you've been accused of carrying on this way see, you don't believe in preaching or praise you just want to barely make it through each time consuming day (Koski)
The lyrics to Swingin' Utters's song "Keep Running" are a poignant reflection on the struggle to survive. The singer is speaking to someone who has been coming to the E.D.D. (Employment Development Department) regularly, trying to keep themselves alive. The person is dire and disgusted, and constantly heaves insults and curses at everything, including the almighty talisman that lives in the dirty church. The person is constantly running from themselves, from everyone, and from each new day, never feeling true pleasure or falling ill from real pain, but complaining as if they've been betrayed.
The singer points out that the person has set guidelines for each new day, and nothing ever meets those guidelines. There's always something standing nonchalantly in their way. The person finds no solace in the optimism of others, sighing at the loyalists who always count on everything being worthwhile. The person is accused of carrying on this way, of not believing in preaching or praise, and just wanting to barely make it through each time-consuming day.
This song is a powerful commentary on the struggles of everyday life, and the constant battle to keep going in the face of adversity. It speaks to the frustration and exhaustion that people can feel when things are tough, and the sense of hopelessness that can set in when things just don't seem to be getting better.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello again, you say to the folks at the E.D.D. you've been dire and disgusted and come in most every day to keep yourself alive you heave insults and forever curse the almighty fuckin' talisman that lives in the dirty church
Every day, you visit the Employment Development Department to sustain yourself. You express extreme dissatisfaction and frustration to the officials there. You hurl verbal abuses and continually curse the religious idol residing in the squalid church.
And you keep running from yourself from everyone from each new day
You constantly evade confronting yourself, other people, or daily challenges.
You never felt true pleasure or fell ill from real pain but you complain so consistently as if you've been betrayed and nothing's ever met the guidelines that you set for each new day and there's always something standing nonchalantly in your way
You have never experienced genuine happiness or endured serious suffering, yet you persistently gripe as if you have been wronged. You establish unattainable expectations for each day and encounter obstacles with ease.
To all the optimistic players you heave a sigh those loyalists keep counting on everything being worthwhile but you don't catch the light of day and you've been accused of carrying on this way see, you don't believe in preaching or praise you just want to barely make it through each time-consuming day
You dismiss hopeful individuals with a sigh, believing they have unrealistic expectations. You struggle to find any positive moments in life, leading to criticism from others. You reject positive affirmations and solely aim to survive each day.
Contributed by Alexander O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.