Billy Sawilchik
Encyclopedia
William Craig Sawilchik, better known as Billy Sawilchik is the lead guitarist, co-songwriter and back up vocalist for the band The Lovehammers.
He was born in Oak Lawn, Illinois
on July 28, 1971. In 1994, Billy joined the band (then known under the name Swinging Lovehammers) and recorded their first full-length album Ultrasound in 1997.
Sawilchik's playing style has been described as very experimental. This experimental flair is most apparent in his live performances, during which Sawilchik often improvises or retools his solos and riffs. His influences range from classic rock monoliths such as Jimmy Page
to rockabilly/blues legends Carl Perkins
and Chuck Berry
to punk, pop-punk and hardcore bands like Social Distortion
and Face To Face
. Sawilchik has finely crafted these influences over the years to create his own distinct sound evident in both his live performances and recordings with The Lovehammers.
He is married with two sons.
where he majored in Business Marketing and Advertising. His first band was called EZ Access. In college he joined the band 9 Arms- a five person band with a one armed drummer. During a show with 9 Arms the original lineup of Swinging Lovehammers (Marty Casey
, Dino Kourelis, Bob Kourelis and Ben Kelly) recruited him to play a set with them at a house party. In May 1994 he left 9 Arms and officially joined Swinging Lovehammers. Upon first entering the band he split guitar duties with fellow bandmate and guitarist Ben Kelly until his departure in 2003. Sawilchik then became and remained the band's only lead guitarist. Swinging Lovehammers officially changed their name to The Lovehammers in August 2001.http://www.lovehammersfanclub.com/lhfanclub/History.html
On November 6, 2001 the band re-released their second LP L'Strange
. L'Strange features the song Real Man, a comment on the dichotomy of sexual politics and the male/female power exchange. Sawilchik co-wrote the song with lead singer Marty Casey and came up with the concept while at a stripclub in Wisconsin
. "I was just thinking through the eyes of a dancer and their perception as to what role they are to play to the crowd. Marty embellished the complete lyrics after I gave brought [sic] the chorus and theme."http://www.lovehammersforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=233&postdays=0&postorder=asc&&start=120
He is currently working with his band on another album that is scheduled to be released sometime in 2011
searched for a replacement lead singer for their reunion. Billy Sawilchik supported Casey in his endeavor and was even spotted on television in the audience during one of Casey's performances. When Casey was named runner up, INXS invited The Lovehammers to play as the opening band on their tour. The Lovehammers (who had always been an indie band) were immediately signed to the Sony/Epic
label where they released a new full-length CD under the moniker Marty Casey & Lovehammers. The album was composed mostly of re-recordings and re-workings of old songs from their other indie releases with the exception of one song, Casualty. The new disc was very well-received for the most part. Although some critics claimed that major label production had erased some of the signature raw energy of The Lovehammers,http://www.soundbug.com/asin/B0002IQK6S the album reviews had been overwhelmingly favorable. Even a less than stellar review cites Sawilchik's performance as a great contribution to the album's sound, referring to him as a "capable axeman"http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/C/Casey_Marty/AlbumReviews/2006/01/27/1414596-sun.html. They were a featured artist on VH1.com and performed a short acoustic set for VH1
's VSpot. In 2006, The Lovehammers headlined their own North American tour, dubbing it Get Live. The venues were often sold-out and reviews for the tour were overwhelmingly positive. The Lovehammers are still on Sony/Epic and are in the process of writing new material for their next major-label release.
He was born in Oak Lawn, Illinois
Oak Lawn, Illinois
Oak Lawn is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 55,245 at the 2000 census.Oak Lawn is a suburb of the city of Chicago, located southwest of the city...
on July 28, 1971. In 1994, Billy joined the band (then known under the name Swinging Lovehammers) and recorded their first full-length album Ultrasound in 1997.
Sawilchik's playing style has been described as very experimental. This experimental flair is most apparent in his live performances, during which Sawilchik often improvises or retools his solos and riffs. His influences range from classic rock monoliths such as Jimmy Page
Jimmy Page
James Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
to rockabilly/blues legends Carl Perkins
Carl Perkins
Carl Lee Perkins was an American rockabilly musician who recorded most notably at Sun Records Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning during 1954...
and Chuck Berry
Chuck Berry
Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. With songs such as "Maybellene" , "Roll Over Beethoven" , "Rock and Roll Music" and "Johnny B...
to punk, pop-punk and hardcore bands like Social Distortion
Social Distortion
Social Distortion is an American punk rock band formed in 1978 in Fullerton, California. The band currently consists of Mike Ness , Jonny Wickersham , Brent Harding and David Hidalgo, Jr...
and Face To Face
Face to Face (punk band)
Face to Face is an American pop punk band from Victorville, California formed in 1991 by frontman Trever Keith. Originally known as "Zero Tolerance", Keith had been the only constant member of the band during their years of touring and recording albums. The group was initially signed by Dr. Strange...
. Sawilchik has finely crafted these influences over the years to create his own distinct sound evident in both his live performances and recordings with The Lovehammers.
He is married with two sons.
Bio/Early Career
Born to Rich and Beverly Sawilchik on July 28, 1971 in Oak Lawn, IL, Billy Sawilchik is the second to youngest of his two brothers and older sister. At the age of 12 Billy taught himself to play guitar. He attended St Laurence High School then, Illinois State UniversityIllinois State University
Illinois State University , founded in 1857, is the oldest public university in Illinois; it is located in the town of Normal. ISU is considered a "national university" that grants a variety of doctoral degrees and strongly emphasizes research; it is also recognized as one of the top ten largest...
where he majored in Business Marketing and Advertising. His first band was called EZ Access. In college he joined the band 9 Arms- a five person band with a one armed drummer. During a show with 9 Arms the original lineup of Swinging Lovehammers (Marty Casey
Marty Casey
Martin Xavier "Marty" Casey is an American rock musician who is the lead singer, primary songwriter and second guitarist of the band Lovehammers....
, Dino Kourelis, Bob Kourelis and Ben Kelly) recruited him to play a set with them at a house party. In May 1994 he left 9 Arms and officially joined Swinging Lovehammers. Upon first entering the band he split guitar duties with fellow bandmate and guitarist Ben Kelly until his departure in 2003. Sawilchik then became and remained the band's only lead guitarist. Swinging Lovehammers officially changed their name to The Lovehammers in August 2001.http://www.lovehammersfanclub.com/lhfanclub/History.html
On November 6, 2001 the band re-released their second LP L'Strange
L'Strange
L’Strange is the second full-length album by Alternative rock band Lovehammers. The album was originally released on September 30, 2000 with different artwork under the band's original name "Swinging Lovehammers" , then re-released on November 6, 2001 with the current album artwork and under the...
. L'Strange features the song Real Man, a comment on the dichotomy of sexual politics and the male/female power exchange. Sawilchik co-wrote the song with lead singer Marty Casey and came up with the concept while at a stripclub in Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. "I was just thinking through the eyes of a dancer and their perception as to what role they are to play to the crowd. Marty embellished the complete lyrics after I gave brought [sic] the chorus and theme."http://www.lovehammersforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=233&postdays=0&postorder=asc&&start=120
He is currently working with his band on another album that is scheduled to be released sometime in 2011
Rockstar: INXS/Major Label Debut
In the summer of 2005 The Lovehammers took a short hiatus while their lead singer, Marty Casey entered the reality television singing competition Rockstar: INXS wherein INXSINXS
INXS are an Australian rock band, formed as The Farriss Brothers in 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales. Mainstays are Garry Gary Beers on bass guitar, Andrew Farriss on guitar/keyboards, Jon Farriss on drums, Tim Farriss on lead guitar and Kirk Pengilly on guitar/sax...
searched for a replacement lead singer for their reunion. Billy Sawilchik supported Casey in his endeavor and was even spotted on television in the audience during one of Casey's performances. When Casey was named runner up, INXS invited The Lovehammers to play as the opening band on their tour. The Lovehammers (who had always been an indie band) were immediately signed to the Sony/Epic
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
label where they released a new full-length CD under the moniker Marty Casey & Lovehammers. The album was composed mostly of re-recordings and re-workings of old songs from their other indie releases with the exception of one song, Casualty. The new disc was very well-received for the most part. Although some critics claimed that major label production had erased some of the signature raw energy of The Lovehammers,http://www.soundbug.com/asin/B0002IQK6S the album reviews had been overwhelmingly favorable. Even a less than stellar review cites Sawilchik's performance as a great contribution to the album's sound, referring to him as a "capable axeman"http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/C/Casey_Marty/AlbumReviews/2006/01/27/1414596-sun.html. They were a featured artist on VH1.com and performed a short acoustic set for VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
's VSpot. In 2006, The Lovehammers headlined their own North American tour, dubbing it Get Live. The venues were often sold-out and reviews for the tour were overwhelmingly positive. The Lovehammers are still on Sony/Epic and are in the process of writing new material for their next major-label release.
Discography
- Ultrasound (1997) LP
- Demolition (1999) EP
- L'StrangeL'StrangeL’Strange is the second full-length album by Alternative rock band Lovehammers. The album was originally released on September 30, 2000 with different artwork under the band's original name "Swinging Lovehammers" , then re-released on November 6, 2001 with the current album artwork and under the...
(2000) LP- L'Strange Reissue (2001) LP
- How We Live (2001) EP
- Murder on My MindMurder on My MindMurder on my Mind was the third independent album by the Lovehammers, released in 2003. Many songs on the album also appear on the later Marty Casey and Lovehammers album. The albums title comes from a lyric in the "The Tunnel", the first track on the album. The album is notable for the raw, edgy...
(2003) LP - Live/Raw (2003) DVD
- Marty Casey and LovehammersMarty Casey and Lovehammers (album)Marty Casey & Lovehammers is the self-titled, major label debut album for Rock Star: INXS runner-up Marty Casey's band, Lovehammers. The album consists primarily of songs from the Lovehammers' previous three independent albums, remixed and remastered: "Hold On", "Rain on the Brain", "The Tunnel",...
(2006) LP
Gear
- Guitars http://www.billysawilchik.com/gear.php
- Washburn Damen Idol
- Washburn Pilsen Idol
- Black Gretsch Customized Duo Jet
- Gibson FirebirdGibson FirebirdThe Gibson Firebird is a solid-body electric guitar manufactured by Gibson from 1963 to the present.-History:The Gibson Guitar Corporation released several new styles during the 1950s to compete with Fender's instruments, such as the Telecaster and Stratocaster. After success with the Les Paul in...
- Gibson Les Paul Standard
- Gibson Black Custom 85'
- Paul Reed Smith Standard Gold Top
- Gibson SG Historic Reissue VOS
- Amps
- Marshall
- Strings
- Dean Markley Strings
Selected Interviews/Endorsements
- Lovehammers Fanclub Interview: A Conversation With Lovehammers
- Billy Sawilchik Endorses Dean Markley Strings (Quicktime Video)
- Billy Sawilchik on KLITE Manilla Radio Station
- Billy Sawilchik Washburn Guitar Artist Page
Trivia
- Billy has an affinity for turtles. He collects and cares for them as a hobby.
- He owns a Diamondback TerrapinDiamondback terrapinThe diamondback terrapin or simply terrapin, is a species of turtle native to the brackish coastal swamps of the eastern and southern United States. It belongs to the monotypic genus, Malaclemys...
and two Pink-bellied Sideneck turtles.
- He owns a Diamondback Terrapin
- He wanted to be a veterinarian as a young child.
- Billy has a tattoo of a devil playing the guitar which he doesn't particularly like. He got it at a young age but had always planned to get more.
- Billy used to be an avid hockey player and weight lifter.
- Billy has various nicknames: Will E. Survive, Will E., Wild Will and Longrod are a few of them; all of which were given to him by his friends.
- Billy often DJ's at a club in Chicago called Elm Street under the name DJ Longrod.
- Billy owns and maintains an antique 1963½ Ford GalaxieFord GalaxieThe Ford Galaxie was a full-size car built in the United States by the Ford Motor Company for model years 1959 through 1974. The name was used for the top models in Ford’s full-size range from 1959 until 1961, in a marketing attempt to appeal to the excitement surrounding the Space Race...
- Billy maintained a day job as a liquor sales representative even after The Lovehammers signed with Epic.
External links
- BillySawilchikDotCom:Billy's official website
- The Lovehammers official site
- Lovehammers VH1 Artist Site (includes videos)
- The Lovehammers Fanclub Website
- The Lovehammers Myspace Page
- Billy's Myspace Page (run by Billy Sawilchik himself)