Swans are re-releasing their debut studio album entitled Filth on May 26th. The project was originally dropped in 1983, and this version will feature a 3-CD set with bonus material, live recordings, and outtakes. This marks the third time the band will reissue Filth, which was re-released in 1990 and the year 2000. The original project featured 4-tracks on Side A including “Stay Here,” “Big Strong Boss,” “Blackout,” and “Power for Power.” Side B featured 5-tracks including “Freak,” “Right Wrong,” “Thank You,” “Weakling,” and “Gang.”
Along with Filth, Swans have released thirteen studio albums, some of which include Cop, Greed, Holy Money, Children of God, The Burning World, White Light from the Mouth of Infinity, Love of Life, and To Be Kind. Three years ago, the band released an album entitledThe Seer. Swans’ frontman Michael Gira funded the entire project by using the profits generated from the band’s We Rose from Your Bed with the Sun in Our Head album. The Seer peaked at Number 114 on the Billboard 200, and it impacted the Independent Albums chart at Number 22. It received rave reviews from music critics, who named The Seer one of the best albums of 2012.
The band’s latest project named To Be Kind was released last year. The album was funded by fans through a campaign that was created by Gira in 2013. The rocker offered those who funded the project a personalized song written by him. To Be Kind featured guest appearances by Bill Rieflin, Little Annie, Cold Specks, and St Vincent. It reached Number 37 on the Billboard 200 and Number 38 on the UK Albums chart. The album also peaked at Number 3 on the Billboard Tastemaker Albums and Number 5 on the Independent Albums chart. The two-disc project featured ten songs including “Screen Shot,” “Oxygen,” “She Loves Us,” and “To Be Kind.”
This month, Swans have a few dates scheduled in the United Kingdom including a show in London at Rough Trade West on the 18th, The Marble Factory in Bristol on the 20th, Roundhouse in London on the 21st, Sound City in Liverpool on the 22nd, Art School in Glasgow on the 23rd, and Mandela Hall in Belfast on the 24th.
FDRMX Eyes: The New Tarot is one of our new favorite sister duos to come out of the Brooklyn Indie Rock scene. Check out their music video “Makeup”: