Swell Maps

The Swell Maps are an English group of the years 1970, resulting from the area of Birmingham, precursor of the Post-punk, separate in 1980.

Influenced as well by the Glam rock'n'roll of T. Rex as by the Krautrock of Edge, they created an original sound landscape which will be largely imitated by the groups Post-punk.

History

Since 1972, two teenagers of Solihull in the the Midlands, Epic Soundtracks (Kevin Godfrey) and Nikki Sudden (his/her Godfrey brother) formed the core of what was going to become Swell Maps, Epic playing of the battery and the piano, Nikki of the guitar and singing.

Joined by Richard Earl, David Barrington, John Cockrill and Jowe Head, they leave the 45 turns Read About Seymour in 1977. Their first album has Trip to Marineville will leave in 1979 and will be independent number 1 with the hit-parade lately created. Another album, The Swell Maps in “Jane From Occupied Europe” , will leave in 1981. Whatever Happens Next... , a compilation of their experiments of the beginnings will leave before their separation.

Heritage

Their influence is considerable in the movement Post-punk and for the emergence of the movement DIY (" With their buddies of the Television Personalities, Swell Maps generated a branch of the Post-punk which fétichisait ingenuity. Voices fluettes, rhythmic staggering, base bourdonnantes and rudimentary lines, guitars négligemment dissonant: the groups DIY délectaient potential bruitist of the guitar, without " to make rock" and even less of the " roc' roll" " , writing Simon Reynolds, p. 141). It perdure today, where their recordings are sought by the collectors and were abundantly republished and exhumed.

The members of Swell Maps continued careers solo, particularly Nikki Sudden, Epic Soundtracks and Jowe Head. Epic Soundtracks died in 1997, his/her brother Nikki Sudden in 2006.

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