This entry was posted on Sunday, April 27th, 2008 at 5:32 pm and is filed under Coachella '08, Review. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Swervedriver was more the sonic kin of Nirvana or Dinosaur Jr. than late-’80s/early-’90s shoegazers such as My Bloody Valentine and Ride, with whom they are often linked. The Oxford, England, quartet could fashion a wall of sound, to be sure, but their churning, aggressive guitar rock over four albums (1991-98) was the kind of music that could shake you to your foundation rather than seep, midtempo, into your soul.
The foursome’s reunion for Coachella (they were a late add to the lineup) was largely unheralded, except by a few passionate fans who were keenly tuned into the band’s recipe of guitar riffs and effects.
Swervedriver’s set before a one-third-full Mojave Tent on Sunday afternoon certainly ranked as a triumph artistically, as Adam Franklin and mates bathed the faithful in angsty roaring and subtler noodling. Ever stoic as a frontman, Franklin remained expressionless throughout (save for a smile of acknowledgment to a friend sidestage), but the music and the obvious joy with which drummer Jez Hindmarsh played spread smiles all around.
If Sunday was any indication, Franklin, who has released a fine solo album and has a buzzworthy side project with Interpol drummer Sam Fogarino called Magnetic Morning, might have more work to do with Swervedriver.
– Kevin Bronson
Photo: Kevin Bronson / Los Angeles Times
Swervedriver
US 08
ITINERARY
DATE VENUE CITY ST CAPACITY STATUS
Thu- May 22 The Waiting Room Omaha NE 300 AA 03 - confirmed - with The Life and Times and Mr Gnome
Fri- May 23 Marquis Theater Denver CO 500 AA 03 - confirmed- with The Life and Times
Sat- May 24 Paladium Salt Lake City UT 1000 21+ 03 - confirmed
Mon- May 26 Neumo’s Crystal Ball Reading Room Seattle WA 700 21+ 03 - confirmed - with Film School and Head Like A Kite
Tue- May 27 Wonder Ballroom Portland OR 780 AA 03 - confirmed - with Film School and On This Two Band Bill
Thu- May 29 The Fillmore San Francisco CA 1199 AA 03 - confirmed - with Film School and Mezzanine Owls
Fri- May 30 Casbah San Diego CA 225 21+ 03 - confirmed - with Film School and On This Two Band Bill
Sat- May 31 Henry Fonda Theatre Los Angeles CA 1300 AA 03 - confirmed - with Film School and Xu Xu Fang
Tue- Jun 3 Emo’s Alternative Lounging Austin TX 1000 AA 03 - confirmed - with Terra Diablo
Wed- Jun 4 One Eyed Jacks New Orleans LA 500 AA 03 - confirmed - with Terra Diablo
Thu- Jun 5 The Masquerade Atlanta GA 500 AA 03 - confirmed - with Terra Diablo
Fri- Jun 6 Cat’s Cradle Carrboro NC 615 AA 03 - confirmed - with Terra Diablo
Sat- Jun 7 Theatre of Living Arts Philadelphia PA 950 AA 03 - confirmed - with Terra Diablo and Longwave
Sun- Jun 8 930 Club Washington DC 1200 AA 03 - confirmed - with Terra Diablo and Longwave
Tue- Jun 10 Paradise Boston MA 603 18+ 03 - confirmed - with Terra Diablo and Longwave
Wed- Jun 11 Bowery Ballroom New York NY 575 21+ 03 - confirmed - with Terra Diablo and Dirty on Purpose- SOLD OUT
Thu- Jun 12 Music Hall of Williamsburg Brooklyn NY 600 18+ 03 - confirmed - with Longwave and The Still Out
Fri- Jun 13 Lees Palace Toronto ON 500 19+ 03 - confirmed - with Besnard Lakes
Sat- Jun 14 Metro Chicago IL 1100 18+ 03 - confirmed - with Headlights and The Life and Times