Swiz
Encyclopedia
Swiz was a hardcore punk
band formed in 1987 in Washington, DC. The founding members were Shawn Brown
(vocals), Jason Farrell (guitar), Ramsey Metcalf (guitar), Nathan Larson (bass), and Alex Daniels (drums). Prior the formation of Swiz, Brown had been the original vocalist for Dag Nasty
. Metcalf departed shortly after the band recorded their first demo and Swiz continued as a 4 piece.
Their first 7", Down was released at the end of 1987 and their self-titled LP was released by Sammich Records in 1988. The band recorded their next album, Hell Yes, I Cheated in 1989. The record also included a track by Fury, a side-project that consisted of Farrell, Daniels, Brown (on bass), and Chris Thomson (formerly of Ignition, later of Circus Lupus
) on vocals. By the time Hell Yes, I Cheated was released in 1990, Larson had left the band and was replaced by Dave Stern. This line-up recorded an EP in May 1990 but broke up shortly afterwards. The EP, titled With Dave was released posthumously in 1992 by Jade Tree Records
. In 1993, Jade Tree also released No Punches Pulled, which contained the band's entire discography. Also that year, THD Records released a 7" called Rejects, which contained unused tracks from the Down sessions.
Nathan Larson resurfaced with Shudder To Think
and later went into soundtrack work. Jason Farrell and Dave Stern formed Bluetip
in 1995. After Bluetip's demise, Farrell formed Retisonic and is also a graphic designer whose work has appeared on many records by a number of different bands. Alex Daniels played drums in Severin from 1990–1993. Shawn Brown fronted the band Jesuseater and currently works as a tattoo artist. In 1996, Brown, Farrell, Stern, and Daniels reunited under the name Sweetbelly Freakdown and released a 7" and an album on Jade Tree.
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
band formed in 1987 in Washington, DC. The founding members were Shawn Brown
Shawn Brown
Shawn Brown is an American singer and songwriter from Washington D.C. Shawn sang for Dag Nasty from August 1985 until February 1986. After leaving Dag Nasty, Shawn went on to sing for Swiz. Shawn is currently living in Washington D.C. where he works as a tattoo artist. His last musical project...
(vocals), Jason Farrell (guitar), Ramsey Metcalf (guitar), Nathan Larson (bass), and Alex Daniels (drums). Prior the formation of Swiz, Brown had been the original vocalist for Dag Nasty
Dag Nasty
Dag Nasty was a Washington D.C. punk band formed in 1985 by guitarist Brian Baker of Minor Threat, drummer Colin Sears and bassist Roger Marbury, both of Bloody Mannequin Orchestra, and vocalist Shawn Brown...
. Metcalf departed shortly after the band recorded their first demo and Swiz continued as a 4 piece.
Their first 7", Down was released at the end of 1987 and their self-titled LP was released by Sammich Records in 1988. The band recorded their next album, Hell Yes, I Cheated in 1989. The record also included a track by Fury, a side-project that consisted of Farrell, Daniels, Brown (on bass), and Chris Thomson (formerly of Ignition, later of Circus Lupus
Circus Lupus
Circus Lupus was a post-hardcore band based in the area of Washington, DC, U.S.A.. The band originally formed in Madison where one-time Ignition and Soul Side bassist Chris Thomson met guitarist Chris Hamley and drummer Arika Casebolt while attending school...
) on vocals. By the time Hell Yes, I Cheated was released in 1990, Larson had left the band and was replaced by Dave Stern. This line-up recorded an EP in May 1990 but broke up shortly afterwards. The EP, titled With Dave was released posthumously in 1992 by Jade Tree Records
Jade Tree Records
Jade Tree International, Inc. was an independent record label formed by Darren Walters and Tim Owen in August 1991, out of Wilmington, Delaware....
. In 1993, Jade Tree also released No Punches Pulled, which contained the band's entire discography. Also that year, THD Records released a 7" called Rejects, which contained unused tracks from the Down sessions.
Nathan Larson resurfaced with Shudder To Think
Shudder to Think
Shudder to Think is an American indie rock group. Formed in 1986, they released three albums on the Washington, D.C.-based label Dischord Records and were a post-hardcore band, although they drew upon a wide range of stylistic influences, including pop....
and later went into soundtrack work. Jason Farrell and Dave Stern formed Bluetip
Bluetip
Bluetip was a rock band from Washington, D.C. It was formed in 1995 by ex-members of Swiz, and released four albums, an EP, and a number of singles before splitting up in January 2002....
in 1995. After Bluetip's demise, Farrell formed Retisonic and is also a graphic designer whose work has appeared on many records by a number of different bands. Alex Daniels played drums in Severin from 1990–1993. Shawn Brown fronted the band Jesuseater and currently works as a tattoo artist. In 1996, Brown, Farrell, Stern, and Daniels reunited under the name Sweetbelly Freakdown and released a 7" and an album on Jade Tree.
Members
- Shawn BrownShawn BrownShawn Brown is an American singer and songwriter from Washington D.C. Shawn sang for Dag Nasty from August 1985 until February 1986. After leaving Dag Nasty, Shawn went on to sing for Swiz. Shawn is currently living in Washington D.C. where he works as a tattoo artist. His last musical project...
- Vocals - Jason Farrell - Guitar
- Ramsey Metcalf - Guitar (1987)
- Nathan LarsonNathan LarsonNathan Larson is an American film composer, musician, and author. Larson's debut novel The Dewey Decimal System was released by Akashic Books in April 2011....
- Bass (1987–1990) - Dave Stern - Bass (1990)
- Alex Daniels - Drums
Discography
- Down 7" (Hellfire Records, 1987)
- Swiz LP (Sammich Records, 1988)
- Hell Yes, I Cheated LP (Sammich Records, 1990)
- With Dave 7" (Jade Tree, 1992)
- No Punches Pulled LP/CD (Jade Tree, 1993)
- Rejects 7" (THD Records, 1993)
- With Ramsey (First Demo) download-only (Jade Tree, 2004)