The Wild Swans were formed way back in 1980 led by Paul Simpson after his stint with Julian Cope’s band, The Teardrop Explodes. The original line-up consisted of Jeremy Kelly (Guitarist), Ged Quinn (Keyboards) and on bass, Joseph Fearon (after a succession of bass players) and on drums, they ended with Echo and The Bunnymen’s drummer, the late Pete de Freitas which spun their first assertion in the music scene, “Revolutionary Spirit”.
Kelly left and formed the Lotus Eaters with ex - Jass Babies vocalist, Peter Coyle. Simpson then partnered with Ian Broudie and formed a short lived project fondly remembered as “Care” which churned hits like “My Boyish Days”, “Flaming Sword”, and “Whatever Possessed You.”
Simpson and Broudie separated which led Simpson to resurrect The Wild Swans again with Kelly on guitars which brought forth memorable hits like “Bringing Home The Ashes”, “Young Manhood” and “Bible Dreams” from their album which is the same as the title track, “Bringing Home The Ashes.”
Their second album, “Spaceflower”, saw the departure of Kelly and Quinn and Ian Broudie reunites with his former “Care” mate to play the guitars and the keyboards. Ian McNabb (Icicle Works) provided the additional vocals and guitar while Joseph Fearon still prodded on the bass. Chris Sharrock (Icicle Works) was on drums. This album spurned hits like “Melting Blue Delicious”, “Chocolate Bubblegum”, and “Tangerine Temple”.
Counting 20 years in the future, after Simpson’s solo project, Skyray, The Wild Swans resurrects for the third time with Ricky Rene Maymi (Brian Jonestown Massacre/The Triffids/Steve Kilbey of The Church), Les Pattinson (Echo and The Bunnymen), Mike Mooney, Stuart Mann and Richard Turvey and with a new album, “The Coldest Winter For A Hundred Years”, which flouted hits like “Liquid Mercury”, “English Electric Lightning” and “In Secret”.
The Wild Swans latest album is definitely edgier and guitar laden without much of the angst of today’s music compared to the last two albums yet without loosing that poetic lyric that Simpson has been made famous for.
The Wild Swans may have been bloodied but their heads remain unbowed and can truly ride the crest in today’s music. Paul Simpson is his own influence in music.
Finally, this brought to you by DMC Philippines under the helm of mega promoter, Jesse Gonzales, the former Station Manager/OIC of DWXB 102, the country’s first alternative radio station that started the new wave explosion in the Philippines. The Wild Swans will be performing live on September 30, 2011 at The Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu and on October 1, 2011 at 1 Esplanade, MOA, Pasay City.
Event FB page
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=234343023273161 -- The Wild Swans Live in Cebu
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=114841191930839 -- The Wild Swans Live in Manila
(source: DMC Philippines)
