We only get one trip

With so many of today’s bands producing music for the masses, it’s refreshing when a act comes along with a sound truly their own.

The Swill Merchants perform with a passion that only comes from a love of the music, taking them to a plane far above any band playing for a love of money.

The true magnitude of this can only be fully appreciated by seeing them live, beer in hand, grooving with the crowd. Before they go on, the five guys bullshit with their friends and fans, throw back some shots of Jack, and don’t appear any different from the rest of the hipsters and drinkers in the audience.

You might be able to compare their music to Modest Mouse or Rise Against. With focused expressions you don’t recognize, compared to the guys you just took a shot with five minutes ago.

The show has begun.

“We live life to realize potential and be fulfilled, live hard, and unlimited — that is what we sing about,” said bassist John St. Onge.

Never is that lifestyle more apparent than when they are on stage.

The road to forming Swill Merchants was not smoothly paved, but it has all come together to form a cohesive unit.

The light at the end of the tunnel has always been the same. “We write what we want to hear and what makes us feel how we want to feel” St. Onge said.

St. Onge met up with lead singer Rich Tardy in a band called Dorzia. Coming from there, the pair was in a quest to make music they loved, the pair left that band and set off creating one that they could pour their souls into.

Steve Fey, the band’s guitarist, brings an undeniable skill that leaves you breathless watching and listening.

Their drummer was not so easy to find, but a few years and a few people later, Bill Nacewicz adds skill and technicality that unifies the whole group.

The most recent addition to the band came in the form of a synthesizer. The role has since been expanded into a synthesizer and keyboard with Matt Silberstein manning both.

Although not one of the most noticeable aspects of their show the depth of sound that Silberstein creates cannot be denied.

With an inspired rocking sound and a live show that is sure to keep you entertained the Swill Merchants offer the music world the total package. Beyond good looks and rocking tunes, these five guys encompass a love and passion for their work.

“Of course we get nervous,” St. Onge said. “These are our emotions on display. But we only get one trip.”

Briana King is a freelance writer from Boston

In Band Profiles, Entertainment, Music on February 4, 2008 at 00:00

3 Responses to “We only get one trip”

  1. Jamie on February 4th, 2008 11:07 am

    They Rock!!! Wicked nice guys all around!

  2. Brian on February 18th, 2008 2:19 pm

    the only thing undeniable about that guitarist is that he SUCKS!

    wow, who wrote this article?

  3. Ian Shropshire on August 25th, 2008 12:02 pm

    dunno…

Got something to say?





Note: This post is over 9 months old. You may want to check later on in Blast to see if there is new information relevant to your comment.

Creative Commons License Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional

Blast is the Online Magazine