The swathe of bands returning to their iconic albums to perform live and in full has stretched from The Living End to Pixies to You Am I, and now Oxford shoegaze favourites Swervedriver are adding their names to the list, returning to Australian shores this September to perform the worldwide live premiere of 1991 album Raise, in its entirety.
Released on Alan McGee’s historical Creation Records in 1991, Swervedriver’s debut album Raise instantly captured the hearts, minds, and ears of fans and critics alike where it was heralded as an alternative masterpiece. The likes of ‘Son of a Mustang Ford’ and ‘Sandblasted’ found the band mixing sheer volume and driving rock aesthetics with a dreamy pop sensibility and hazy atmosphere to become one of the pioneers of shoegaze, alongside icons like My Bloody Valentine and Ride.
The Swervies always had a bit more of a grunt and edge to their sound, focusing on searing distortion and ear-blasting drums, innovating an infectious blend of noise and drama that formed a musical backing to the slacker vibe of vocalist Adam Franklin. Following three more records, Swervedriver disbanded in 1998, but fan demand and fate conspired to see the band reform a decade later and they’ve been hitting the road ever since.
Come September their tarmac trail leads them to Australia, where 22 years on from it first prying ears open with its distinct sounds, Swervedriver will perform Raise back to back at a series of headline shows rich with two decades of memories and milestones, but with the visceral kick their live show has always contained.
Fans will have the chance to re-live this iconic 1991 album, along with a second set of old and new highlights. This is sure to be a concert punters will not soon forget.
Swervedriver 2013 Australian Tour Performing Raise
September Thu 26th – Brisbane – The Zoo
September Fri 27th – Sydney – Metro Theatre
September Sat 28th – Melbourne – Corner Hotel
October Wed 2nd – Adelaide – The Gov
October Thu 3rd – Perth – Rosemount
Tickets for all shows from metropolistouring.com and from venues
