We let Michael Gira introduce Swans himself: “I started Swans in 1982 in NYC. At the time, I had no musical skills whatsoever, just instinct and a need to make something happen.
The music changed constantly over the years, and I’m gratified it reached, and continues to reach, a fair number of people. After 15 years, I decided to end Swans, as the name had become a burden and the associations no longer fit with what I wanted to do into the future.
I started Angels of Light in 1999, and that’s my main musical focus now. I also run Young God Records and release (and sometimes produce) music by people whose music I enjoy.
Swans | You fucking people make me sick
httpv://https://youtube.com/watch?v=mkR66Q-UdYA
Dozens of people came and went through the 15 years of Swans existence. These are the people that spring immediately to mind: Michael Gira, Norman Westberg, Roli Mossiman, Harry Crosby, Sue Hanel, Jonathan Kane, Algis Kizys, Jarboe, Ted Parsons, Steve Mcallister, Larry Mullins, Virgil Moorefield, Vudi, Joe Goldring, Ronaldo Gonzales, Vinnie Signorelli, Christoph Hahn, Ivan Nahem, Bill Rieflin, Bill Bronson, Phil Puleo, Anton Fier, Jenny Wade, Clinton Steele…to name a few.
Here’s some of the music that I enjoyed during the time of Swans: Throbbing Gristle, Psychic TV, The Stooges, Brian Eno, Teenage Jesus And The Jerks, DNA, The Contortions, Glenn Branca, Black Flag, early Pink Floyd, This Heat, Kraftwerk, Herman Nitsch, Cabaret Voltaire, Can, Public Image LTD., SPK, Ennio Morricone, Leonard Cohen, Nick Drake, and always, always Bob Dylan and The Beatles…ha ha! I’m sure there’s 100s more, but who cares and I can’t remember anyway…” – Michael Gira / Young God Records 2008.
Swans will be supported by instrument maker and sound inventor Bob Rutman, who contributed with his self built steel cello to the new Swans album “The Seer”.
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Swans & Bob Rutman LIVE
Friday, 03 August 2012 | 20:00 CET
Berghain | Am Wriezener Bahnhof | 10243 Berlin/Friedrichshain
swans.pair.com | rutman.de | berghain.de
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