The band was formed in 1988 in London, after Allen and Barker had parted ways with Shriekback and recruited Wray as frontman. Halliwell and Mike Cozzi (featured on the second album) were also ex-Shriekback members.
King Swamp is the self-titled debut album of the British rock band King Swamp.
Originally released in May 1989, the album was well received by critics. But, its failure to peak even in the top-150 on the Billboard 200 proved to be a bad omen. When their second album failed to chart anywhere in the U.S. or the U.K., the band split up.
Despite the failure of the album to find a commercial audience, it did have the distinction of being featured on the 1980s TV show Miami Vice.
The track 'Year Zero' was used during the pre-credit car chase sequence of the two-hour finale episode titled "Freefall" (first aired on 21 May 1989).
Their 1989 debut. Lead-off tunes 'Is This Love?' (their only hit) and 'Blown Away' are generic rockers, likely a response to their label saying, "We don't hear a single, boys."
The record really starts with 'Man Behind the Gun:' from there, King Swamp explore deeper themes that show the dark side of America. 'The Mirror' depicts the American Hero riding "his motorbike alone down the Interstate/ Wears dark glasses and dates thin girls/ Uses strong arm tactics all around the world," while 'Louisianna Bride' follows a lovesick swain who learns the hard way that "sometimes the disease might be sweeter than the cure." And the apocalyptic howl of 'Widders Dump' must be heard to be believed.
All the pieces were in place: Shriekback's rhythm section of Dave Allen and Martyn Barker gave the band its muscle, Steve Halliwell mixed it up on multiple instruments, Dominic Miller's guitar got plenty of space to roar and singer Walter Wray had the rock star look and voice. But audiences somehow missed this band.
Perhaps King Swamp was a few years ahead of its time - far too dark for the totally awesome 80's. Peel the chorus effect off Miller's guitars and this band might have joined the Seattle grunge gang. Either way, this debut had all the ingredients for an ass-kicking rock-n'-roll experience.
Track listing
- "Is This Love?" – 4:00
- "Blown Away" – 4:11
- "Man Behind the Gun" – 4:27
- "Original Man" – 3:24
- "Widders Dump" – 4:53
- "Year Zero" – 3:54
- "Mirror" – 4:57
- "Motherlode" – 4:26
- "Louisiana Bride" – 4:34
- "The Sacrament" – 5:15
- "Glow" – 5:42 (Bonus Track on UK CD)
- King Swamp
- Walter Wray - lead vocals
- Steve Halliwell - additional vocals, keyboards
- Dominic Miller - guitar, dobro
- Dave Allen - bass guitar
- Martyn Barker - drums
Companies, etc.
- Printed By – TOPAC
- Pressed By – Sonopress
- Mastered At – Sonopress
- Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Virgin Records Ltd.
- Copyright © – Virgin Records Ltd.
- Record Company – Virgin Records
- Published By – Point Music Ltd.
Credits
- Mixed By – Bob Clearmountain
- Performer – Coral Gordon, Dave Kelly, Gus Isidore, Mallet, Jez Foden, Mike Cozzi, Tony Antoniades
- Written-By, Arranged By – Dave Allen, Steve Halliwell
Notes
Released: May 1989
Recorded: 1988–1989
Genre: Rock
Length: 44:01
Label - Virgin Records
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