SHREDnews

By: Jay Rowland

This Flint, Michigan based band is storming the punk scene with a downpour of great old school, mixed with newer pop sounding melodic punk rock! Recently signing to Fueled By Ramen, this band is about to be everywhere. In 2002 Nick and Jonathan Diener, along with Nate Lamberts formed The Swellers and recorded a three song demo.  After a week they booked their first show and The Swellers were on the road to rock stardom. Over the years the band members have changed a few times but Nick and Jonathon have always kept the band going. The band now consists of Nick on vocals/guitar, Jonathan on drums, Ryan Collins on guitar, and Anto Boros on bass. The bands newest CD, Ups And Downsizing is inspired by the condition that Flint, Michigan is in and the hope we need to keep in sight. Because no matter how bad things are now it will get better.

“2009” and “Fire Away” are a couple of our first tastes of the new album via the band’s Myspace. Both songs were great choices to get us ready for the full album. They both come at you fast, strong, and loud. “2009” is a great opening song for the album. The beginning guitar is easily recognizable and when the drums kick in the song really begins to pump excitement directly into your soul. The lyrics are catchy and the music links it all together perfectly. It’s one of those songs that cause you to hit repeat without even realizing you did it.

“Feet First” is a great midway song. I always like it when a band places a slower song in the middle of the CD. For me it perfects a CD. This song quickly became one of my favorites with its almost ballad-like sound in the begging and its flow into a strong yet melodic beat that gives you the perfect slow down. This song hints at the “softer” side of the band. “Feet First” sets up nicely for the next song, “Do You Feel Better Yet?” which picks up the speed just a little. My favorite part of this song is the when about midway through it slows down a little and then, boom, back into the faster pace the song started with. I guess I just really like those slow times in the middle of things.

The title song, “Ups And Downsizing” continues to pick up the speed one more step and treats us to a great beat with wonderful sing along lyrics! The song really brings the troubles of Flint home as the band lets us know of their mixed feelings about leaving or riding out the troubles. The song leads into letting us know that things will look up. With the song, “Iron” the speed is back to max! The drum is the vehicle of motion in this song. It leads us through another powerful melodic punk sound the band has seemed to perfect. About two thirds of the way through the song there is a wonderful lull as the drums stop and the chords on the guitar are repeated and then the drums kick back in and the song continues.

The song “Stars” shows that the band has perfected the slow pop punk sound as well. They treat us to one more ballad style song. They show us that acoustic has a wonderful place in today’s punk scene. Nick’s voice and the guitar blend together in an almost dreamlike quality. This song also became a quick favorite of mine and I know I’ll wear out my repeat button in my car. The band finishes things up with the strong sound of “Dirt”. It’s almost like they want to remind us that they are still a punk band just in case there are any haters of “Stars”. They do a great job of showing us the punk is still fighting to be released from their collective soul and make its way to our ears. The song is sounds almost angry and upbeat, but it’s simply telling everyone it’s more important to be remembered and loved then to put on a big funeral for people to be fake at and to waste money on some one that is gone. They just want to be remembered. And in the awful event something like that was to happen I think there are a lot of people who would do just that.

This album was a refreshing treat from the same old, same old that seems to infest the music scene at times. It gives us a taste of the old and the new at the same time and balances slow and fast songs nicely. The best part about the CD is it was released yesterday, on my birthday! Way to go guys! Thank you from this fan! Look for big things from this up and coming punk rock power house. They are sure to make music history. Go out and buy the album and make sure to catch them on tour with Paramore.

http://www.myspace.com/theswellers
http://www.fueledbyramen.com/main/

For fans Of: Paramore, Rise Against, Pennywise, Alkaline Trio

Top Tracks To Listen To: Sleeper, Feet First, Ups And Downsizing, Stars

Rating: 9 out of 10

Track List:

1. 2009
2. Fire Away
3. Sleeper
4. Welcome Back Riders
5. Feet First
6. Do You Feel Better Yet?
7. Ups And Downsizing
8. The Iron
9. Watch It Go
   10. Stars
   11. Dirt