User:Declevy/Swimmer (band)

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Swimmer (band)

The alternative rock band Swimmer was formed in New York City in 1997 and is comprised of Scottish singer/songwriter Anday McCarron and American guitarist Jeff Thall, bassist James Elliott and drummer Chad Royce. After playing the New York Club scene for less than a year, the band was signed to Maverick Records (Madonna and Freddy DeMann’s joint venture label with Warner Brothers), the group released their debut LP entitled SURREAL in March 1999. SURREAL was met with widespread critical acclaim, citing the record’s “stellar modern rock gems that combine heavy rock, glam, and post-punk dissonance.”

Bandmates

Anday McCarron: Anday McCarron grew up in Glasgow, Scotland in a middle-class family. After dropping out of school at age sixteen, McCarron was signed to John Reid Enterprises (Elton John’s then management and record label), and moved to London. His band KIK toured with Norwegian band A-Ha and David Essex over a two-year period. After this, he moved to New York City, met Thall, Elliott and Royce, subsequently formed the band Swimmer, and signed to Maverick Records soon after. Frequently, Swimmer’s debut LP was acclaimed for McCarron’s standout vocal performances. Richard Martin of CMJ writes, “There’s nothing wrong with versatile vocalists, but Anday McCarron approaches ventriloquism on Swimmer’s debut. He’s able to sound sincere, disaffected, wispy and really, really pissed off within the space of a chord change.” Glen Sansone, also of CMJ, writes, “Swimmer’s debut rides on a strange, surrealistic bed of emotive, post-grunge crooning by guitarist/vocalist Anday McCarron, whose fierce, Thom Yorke-like vocals wind and soar before they plummet into depths of dramatized angst.”

Jeff Thall: Thall, Swimmer’s guitarist, began learning the instrument as a teenager, and studied with Steve Stevens, a session guitarist who most notably recorded with Billy Idol. In an interview with HipOnline, Thall says, “Diversity, color, and interesting textures are what I aim for. I really enjoy making strange sounds, countering the melody lines – not the standard three-chord formula.” Presently, Thall works as a composer, producer, and mixer in New York City. Some of his music can be heard on MTV, Animal Planet, and other mainstream television channels.

James Elliott: Elliott began playing bass at age thirteen by accompanying his parents’ records, including The Beatles’ “White Album” and the original Broadway recording of “Hair.” He went on to study bass at the Interlochen Arts Academy and the Manhattan School of Music, and has toured with many bands, including Skunkworks, Patti Rothberg, and Shudder to Think.

Chad Royce: Royce played drums throughout high school and college, studying at The New School in New York City, and went on to study with Genesis drummer Nir Z. Royce eventually joined Swimmer in 1997. Since then, Royce has contributed to albums by Anika Moa, Darediablo, Boys Like Girls, and Girls’ Generation.