Swarthy (vocals), Mark Becknell(guitar, additional bass, vocals), Michael "Maddog" Mavridoglou (bass, vocals), Nicholas Mavridoglou (drums), Jeremy Smart (guitar, vocals).
Influences
The Beatles, The Who, Guided By Voices, Elvis Costello, REM, The Smiths / Morrissey, The Kinks, Wilco, Pixies, Television, The Clash, many more....oh, yeah...Rush too.
Swarthy brought his solo-acoustic power pop to the greater Cincinnati area in 1999. He convened the Swarthy Band (bassist Michael “Maddog” Mavridoglou, guitarist Jeremy Smart and drummer Nicholas Mavridoglou) in 2001 for energetic and empathetic backing.
Play This In Front Of Your Cool Friends, a self-released EP, debuted in 2002. “Fans of archetypal pop music should do anything they can to get their hands on this,” announced Cincinnati CityBeat. The EP, and lively performances, earned the Swarthy Band a mention as one of the best unsigned acts by medium market pillar WOXY. Station support in both 2003 and 2004, plus more lively performances, generated more buzz.
Oh Yeah, the Swarthy Band’s first LP, arrived in 2004. How is it? “The members of the Swarthy Band aren’t afraid to wear their influences – the Beatles, the Who – on their sleeves, but the indelible pop hooks they create are all their own,” lauded The Cincinnati Enquirer. “One of the best pop/rock releases of the year,” praised CityBeat. Live? CityBeat proclaimed the Swarthy Band’s MidPoint Music Festival 2004 “high-wire set a highlight of the entire fest.” And new guitarist Mark Becknell plays bass when Maddog, a touring jazz trumpeter and keyboardist, has to work the other job.
They’re the Swarthy Band, how are you
hi how are things? your page is looking awesome! anyhow, i just downloaded some sweet new tones from www.hottones.info for FREE! they have the tightest selection!
so i got this CD the other day with incredible harmonies, subtle back-row piano/ guitar fills, driving rock anthems,mccartneyesque bass lines, half-full glass lyrics, muscle drums, make you wanna take a look at yourself and your friends they say...nice work
Great to see you at the Poison Room last week and to hear the new songs. I'm enjoying the new CD and about to wear out "Mass Transit? (She's Treating Me Well)" on my iPod.
I've been listening to you guys for nearly three years now: The hooks still hook and the songs still rock.
Awesome show guys!!! You sounded great and there was such a good energy in the Poison Room!! Can't wait to see you at the Southgate House in December!!
The Swarthy Bands new album is out! "How They Look To The Skies" can be purchased @ Everybody's Records and Shake It Records...OR at the CD Release Party at The Poison Room on Saturday, Nov. 3rd. We'll see you there!
Allow me to be the first to say the new CD kicks ass. Thanks for the copy. Greatly appreciated it.I'm playing it fot people so hopefully the album release will be the biggest thing this city has seen for awile. It's got my vote.
What happened to swarthyband.com ?
Sorry I missed you guys at taste, I didn't know you were playing until after you played. Shoot me a message when you schedule your next show.
This Friday Dec. 1st in the Southgate House Ballroom
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"Oh Yeah" from the album Oh Yeah! (was that intentional?) came up on my iPod this afternoon as I was strolling through downtown. Perfectly sunny mid-morning, perfect sound to accompany it. Thanks for kicking so much musical butt.
