[Kyohan]

Originally Posted by Bytor Peltor

They were still very strong live when I saw them on, 'The Great Annihilator' tour back in 95 / 96. It was my only time seeing them, so I really don't have anything to compare it to......but I would love to see that show again!

The announcement is somewhat surprising. I thought with Jarboe releasing 'Mahakali' last year, she might tour or do something a little more with that. By the way, if anyone here has mentioned 'Mahakali,' I must have missed it. Does anyone here have this and if so, what do you think?

Mahakali is excellent; in fact, its probably Jarboe's best solo record IMO. Its very dense sounding; almost Children of God-era Swans intense.
As for Swans reforming, its fine by me. While I like Angels of Light and Gira solo up to a point, there's always something that I find a little bit unsatisfying about their output.

[blunderbuss]

Originally Posted by Savage Clone

I support any action resulting in Akron/Family not being his backing band.

Seconded wholeheartedly. The Angels of Light recordings prior to Akron/Family's involvement were the equal of Swans in terms of power and majesty, but once they came on board... meh. And even worse, they had a huge negative influence on his songwriting, even a Gira solo show became somewhat tortuous.

Originally Posted by atsonicpark

I'm going to be the only one to reccomend you listen to "White Light From The Mouth Of Infinity". It's my favorite Swans record. It's way different than most of the others.

It's a long time since I've heard White Light in it's entirety, but the Various Failures compilation contains enough stuff from it for me to say "yeah" to loving that era. Only very slightly earlier, Jarboe's vocal on "Can't Find My Way Home" from Burning World is an object of great beauty.

[Green Magnesium]

Hope it's the Children of God lineup!

[Derek]

Children of God is an absolute masterpiece.

Saying that, I've only heard CoG, Filth and Cop. Swans are a band I've been meaning to delve into more as they seem like a very rewarding band.

[SuperCreep]

^Swans have one of the most consistent discographies ever. Listen to all of them, seriously.

I'd be glad if they reformed. That Angels of Light stuff kinda bores the crap out of me.

[Dr. Eugene Felikson]

This is great news.

I remember randomly listening to The Great Annihilator years ago, and being completely blown away.

[Dead-Air]

I'm o.k. with it. I assume a Swans reunion basically means a Gira/Jarboe reunion these days, even if that's not the original band. They are certainly capable of doing some new material worth listening to. I'm sure Sonic Youth and Einsturzende Neubauten would both be getting back together about now if they hadn't forgotten to break up...

[blunderbuss]

Originally Posted by Dead-Air

I'm sure Sonic Youth and Einsturzende Neubauten would both be getting back together about now if they hadn't forgotten to break up...

However, if rumours are to be believed, Neubauten, ever the contrarians, appear to be choosing to split instead...

[blunderbuss]

Anyway, back to Swans, 1997 interview with Michael Gira...

 

 

 

 

 

[dionysusundone]

Originally Posted by blunderbuss

However, if rumours are to be believed, Neubauten, ever the contrarians, appear to be choosing to split instead...

Where did you hear this?!?

[dionysusundone]

On topic though while I'd be interested in seeing them live (Gira is STILL one of the most intense people I've ever seen, and I've met Jarboe a few times in town and she's almost as intense as he is) I just don't know how I'd feel about them doing new material....maybe with the right backing musicians...
I guess I'm one of the few on here that really enjoyed his Akron/Family backed records.

[repeater]

I enjoy the latest AOL records aswell.

New material from Gira is always welcome, no matter whatever name he choose to release them under, even though "swans are dead"

Saw Swans live back i ´95, and that´s one of the best concerts I ever been too.

Thanks for the interview, Blunderbuss. Good stuff!

[blunderbuss]

Originally Posted by dionysusundone

Where did you hear this?!?

Internet mumblings, more than anything. What I've heard is basically that the supporter projects haven't really been as successful as they needed them to be, and that the band struggles to break even on an ongoing basis. Basically it is costing the members of EN money to keep the band going.

[andrei]

Interesting interview Blunderbuss. Thanks!