Swans Way (band)
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Headquarters | Birmingham , England, United Kingdom |
| Products | Music albums, singles, videos |
Swans Way was an English pop trio originating from Birmingham in late 1981. The lineup consisted of Robert Shaw (lead vocals), Maggie De Monde (vocals and percussion), and Rick P. Jones (double bass). They produced a single album and achieved a UK Top 20 hit with "Soul Train" before dissolving in 1985.
History
Before Swans Way, Shaw performed as singer and guitarist with The Last Gang, while De Monde and Jones, who connected at the University of Kent, were part of the Playthings. Residing on the same street in Birmingham, they came together to form Swans Way, rehearsing in a disused casino where they explored a variety of instruments. The band's name was inspired by Marcel Proust's novel Swann's Way.
Their musical style was an amalgamation of jazz, classical, pop, and disco elements. After featuring on the cassette magazine SFX in May 1982, they released their first single "Theme from the Balcony" later that year. Their major success arrived with "Soul Train," which climbed to number 20 on the UK Singles Chart in February 1984, earning them an appearance on BBC One's Top of the Pops. Following singles met with modest results: "The Anchor" did not chart, "Illuminations" reached number 57, and "When The Wild Calls" attained number 80.
Their only album, The Fugitive Kind, reached number 88 on the UK Albums Chart in November 1984. Initially produced as a limited CD edition of roughly 100 copies, it was re-released in 1997 under the title The Best of Swans Way featuring bonus tracks and again in 2012 as The Fugitive Kind - Expanded Edition.
In 1984, Swans Way performed on prominent music television programs such as The Tube and Whistle Test. A seven-track session recorded at Pebble Mill Studios was broadcast on BBC One as This Is Swans Way in June 1985. Additionally, their concert at the Astoria was aired on Channel 4’s Mirror Image series and issued by Polygram Video as History and Image.
In July 1985, the group secured a five-album contract spanning five years with EMI Records and recorded demos for forthcoming material including the intended single "Hot Summer." Nevertheless, they disbanded prior to releasing new recordings due to creative disagreements.
Following the breakup, De Monde and Jones went on to establish Scarlet Fantastic, while Shaw released music under the names Mighty Math and Sparkleray. De Monde also formed recording partnerships known as Kahal & Kahal and Maggie & Martin.
Albums
- The Fugitive Kind (1984), Balgier – UK No. 88
- The Best Of Swans Way (1998), Universal
- The Fugitive Kind - Expanded Edition (2012), Cherry Pop
Singles
- "Theme from the Balcony" (1982), Exit International
- "Soul Train" (1984), Exit International – UK No. 20
- "The Anchor" (1984), Exit International
- "Illuminations" (1984), Balgier – UK No. 57
- "When the Wild Calls" (1984), Balgier – UK No. 80
Videos
- Swans Way History and Image (VHS, 50 mins) (1985), Polygram Video