SWA (band)
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Founder | Chuck Dukowski |
| Defunct | 1992 |
| Products | Albums, singles |
| Parent | SST Records |
SWA (pronounced swǒ) was an American music group initially formed by Chuck Dukowski, who was previously the bassist for Black Flag, during his time with that band. The band's name, vocalized as "Swah," originated from assigning letters to numbers on a gaming die and rolling it three times. Dukowski later revealed that Joe Carducci proposed the name, which the band accepted despite Dukowski's initial doubts. Some critics have controversially deemed SWA as the least successful band to record for SST Records, with figures like Steve Albini offering severe criticism, although others have spoken in their defense. The group was active from the mid-1980s until 1992, producing five albums under SST Records, all of which are currently out of print.
History
Following his departure from Black Flag in 1983, Chuck Dukowski tried to revive his original band, Würm. Although they recorded an album, the reunion was short-lived. Subsequently, Dukowski met teenage drummer Greg Cameron near the rehearsal spaces of SST Records. They began collaborating and were briefly joined by Ted Falconi, guitarist of Flipper. The lineup soon grew to include Merrill Ward, former vocalist of Overkill, guitarist Richard Ford from Frantic Technoid, and Ray Cooper—Cameron's high school acquaintance—on guitar.
In 1985, the band recorded their first album Your Future (If You Have One), produced by Dukowski’s ex-Black Flag colleague Greg Ginn. After this release, Cooper departed to concentrate on work with the Descendents. Following 1986’s Sex Dr.—a title inspired by Cameron’s nickname "The Nazi Sex Doctor"—Ford left due to his responsibilities managing SST Records limiting his availability. Sylvia Juncosa stepped in for guitar on 1987’s XCIII, but soon exited to pursue a solo career. Ed Gregor briefly replaced her for the subsequent album Winter, before leaving to attend college; Phil Van Duyne handled guitar duties on the 1989 record. After Winter, Merrill Ward departed to focus on acting.
SWA continued as a three-piece ensemble with Dukowski taking over most vocal responsibilities on their final album, 1991’s Volume.
During SWA’s formative period, Dukowski and Cameron also performed with October Faction. In the mid-1990s, Dukowski and Van Duyne collaborated again in forming the band Fishcamp.
Members
- Chuck Dukowski - Bass guitar, Lead Vocals (on Volume)
- Greg Cameron - Drums
- Merrill Ward - Lead Vocals from Your Future... through Winter, guest appearance on Volume
- Rich Ford - Guitar on Your Future... and Sex Dr.
- Ray Cooper - Guitar on Your Future...
- Sylvia Juncosa - Guitar on XCIII and "Arroyo" 12"
- Ed Gregor - Guitar (succeeded Juncosa; contributed to "Winter" songwriting but did not record)
- Phil Van Duyne - Guitar on Winter and Volume
- Ted Falconi - Guitar (participated in early rehearsals; left prior to recording due to commitments with Flipper)
Discography
- Albums
- Your Future (If You Have One) LP (SST Records, 1985)
- Sex Dr. LP (SST Records, 1986)
- XCIII LP (SST Records, 1987)
- Winter LP/CD (SST Records, 1989)
- Volume LP/CD (SST Records, 1991)
- Singles
- "Arroyo" b/w "Optimist" 12" (SST Records, 1987)
- Compilations
- Evolution 85-87 CD (SST Records, 1988) – features selections from their first three albums