Swearing at Motorists
Encyclopedia
Swearing At Motorists is a two-piece rock and roll band composed of Dave Doughman (guitar, vocals) and Joseph Siwinski (drums). They formed in Dayton, Ohio
in the early 1990s. Joseph Siwinski replaced Don Thrasher (formerly of Guided by Voices
), who had originally been on drums.
Critics have wisely referred to Swearing At Motorists as “The Two Man Who” and anyone who has been fortunate to see them live would surely concur. The band developed a reputation for being one of the most energetic charismatic American bands, both on stage and record. Their albums are a perfect combination of compact stadium rock sing-alongs and lucid love songs that portray a character at the mercy of his own destiny. It all began in the early 1990′s in the bedrooms and basements of Dayton, Ohio amongst the hazy murk of the Midwest American lo-fi scene — a movement championed by neighbors Guided By Voices as well as Sebadoh, The Grifters, and Pavement.
Heavily influenced by other lo-fi music, Swearing At Motorists' songs are characterized by emphatic, crunching tonic chords, emotive vocals, and raw recordings, though with more emphasis on production than many lo-fi acts. Lyrically, Doughman blends narratives of seemingly mundane everyday occurrences with occasional elements of surrealism or subtle commentary, such as in Calgon, Take Me Away!. Perhaps the best known Swearing At Motorists song, "Flying Pizza", named after a Dayton pizzeria, details an unpleasant encounter with an old acquaintance.
Swearing At Motorists' concerts are characterized by Doughman's energetic performances, which involve antics such as tearing the strings out of his guitar mid-song and jumping offstage, as well as comedic anecdotes relayed between, and sometimes within, songs. The band has toured the United States and Europe several times. Since 2000 all of their records have been released by Bloomington, Indiana
label Secretly Canadian
.
Frontman Dave Doughman has challenged The White Stripes
to a contest of who can put on a better show and rock harder, but has been turned down.
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
in the early 1990s. Joseph Siwinski replaced Don Thrasher (formerly of Guided by Voices
Guided by Voices
Guided by Voices is an American indie rock band originating from Dayton, Ohio. Beginning with the band's formation in 1983, it made frequent personnel changes but always maintained the presence of principal songwriter Robert Pollard...
), who had originally been on drums.
Critics have wisely referred to Swearing At Motorists as “The Two Man Who” and anyone who has been fortunate to see them live would surely concur. The band developed a reputation for being one of the most energetic charismatic American bands, both on stage and record. Their albums are a perfect combination of compact stadium rock sing-alongs and lucid love songs that portray a character at the mercy of his own destiny. It all began in the early 1990′s in the bedrooms and basements of Dayton, Ohio amongst the hazy murk of the Midwest American lo-fi scene — a movement championed by neighbors Guided By Voices as well as Sebadoh, The Grifters, and Pavement.
Heavily influenced by other lo-fi music, Swearing At Motorists' songs are characterized by emphatic, crunching tonic chords, emotive vocals, and raw recordings, though with more emphasis on production than many lo-fi acts. Lyrically, Doughman blends narratives of seemingly mundane everyday occurrences with occasional elements of surrealism or subtle commentary, such as in Calgon, Take Me Away!. Perhaps the best known Swearing At Motorists song, "Flying Pizza", named after a Dayton pizzeria, details an unpleasant encounter with an old acquaintance.
Swearing At Motorists' concerts are characterized by Doughman's energetic performances, which involve antics such as tearing the strings out of his guitar mid-song and jumping offstage, as well as comedic anecdotes relayed between, and sometimes within, songs. The band has toured the United States and Europe several times. Since 2000 all of their records have been released by Bloomington, Indiana
Bloomington, Indiana
Bloomington is a city in and the county seat of Monroe County in the southern region of the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 80,405 at the 2010 census....
label Secretly Canadian
Secretly Canadian
Secretly Canadian is an American independent record label based in Bloomington, Indiana. It was started in 1996 by Chris and Ben Swanson, Eric Weddle, and Jonathan Cargill. Their first release was a re-issue of an album by June Panic...
.
Frontman Dave Doughman has challenged The White Stripes
The White Stripes
The White Stripes was an American rock band, formed in 1997 in Detroit, Michigan. The group consisted of the songwriter Jack White and drummer Meg White . Jack and Meg White were previously married to each other, but are now divorced...
to a contest of who can put on a better show and rock harder, but has been turned down.
Discography
- Swearing At Motorists (CD) - 1995
- Tuesday's Pretzel Night (EP) - 1996
- The Fear of Low-Flying Clouds (LP) - 1997
- Enough Drama and The Way Things Are (EP) - 1997
- More Songs From the Mellow Struggle (CD) - 2000
- Stumble to the Zero Hour (EP) - 2000
- Number Seven Uptown (LP) - 2000
- The Burnt Orange Heresy (EP) - 2000
- Along the Inclined Plane (EP) - 2002
- This Flag Signals Goodbye (LP) - 2002
- Last Night Becomes This Morning (LP) - 2006
- Exile on Gipsstrasse (LP) - 2006
- Postcards From A Drinking Town (collected singles '96-'02) (LP) - 2011