The Swellers
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | June 24, 2002 in Fenton, Michigan, United States |
| Founder | Nick Diener, Jonathan Diener, Nate Lamberts |
| Defunct | 2015 |
| Headquarters | Flint, Michigan , United States |
| Products | Punk rock music |
| Website | www |
The Swellers were a punk rock group originating from Flint, Michigan, USA. Their sound blended melodic punk with elements drawn from 1990s alternative and indie rock genres. The band ceased operations in 2015.
Band history
On June 24, 2002, siblings Nick and Jonathan Diener established The Swellers alongside Nate Lamberts in Fenton, Michigan. Their inaugural performance took place soon after at Flint Local 432, where they opened for Divit.
Following several years of performing throughout Michigan and the Midwest, Lamberts departed to pursue college. Garrett Burgett and Lance Nelson then joined, taking over bass and guitar roles respectively. In spring 2005, the group recorded their first EP, Beginning Of The End Again, at Sentient Studios located in Flint. That summer marked their signing with Search and Rescue Records as well as participation in the Midwestern and Canadian segments of the Vans Warped Tour.
Throughout mid-2006, The Swellers undertook an extensive US tour. They secured a deal with Japanese label Radtone Music and completed a week-long series of concerts in Japan. Later that year, they recorded their debut full-length album My Everest at Sentient Studio in Chicago, which was released on June 5, 2007 through Search and Rescue Records.
Early 2008 saw the departure of Lance Nelson and Garrett Burgett; Ryan Collins was brought in as guitarist. Temporary bass responsibilities were handled by Brad Linden and Ben Wixson.
On August 25, 2008, the band unveiled a 15-track collection of "personalized" songs via PureVolume.
Prior to recording Ups and Downsizing, Ryan Collins was officially integrated as a full member while bassist Anto Boros joined from Canadian act Sydney. Their debut release on Fueled By Ramen was produced in Chicago by Mark Michalik and launched on September 29, 2009. To promote this album, they supported Paramore during the Brand New Eyes World Tour starting that same day.
The Swellers also toured alongside Less Than Jake, The Casualties, and served as opening act for Motion City Soundtrack on the My Dinosaur Life Tour in early 2010. That year marked their initial European performances at the Give It A Name Festival and Groezrock. They headlined the Give It A Name Introduces UK tour with support from Anarbor and The Dangerous Summer.
Between June and July 2010, The Swellers appeared on the Ernie Ball Stage during Vans Warped Tour. Shred News recognized them as one of its "Artists to watch in 2010."
In late 2010, they backed Anti-Flag on the Vans Off The Wall European Tour, performed at The Fest 9 in Florida alongside The Suicide Machines among others, then toured Europe supporting Young Guns.
April 2011 featured their support for The Blackout on a UK & Ireland tour promoting Hope. That year also included their participation in the Take Action Tour with Bayside, Silverstein, Polar Bear Club, and Texas in July.
On April 22, 2011, Alternative Press revealed details about their upcoming album Good For Me, which was released on June 14 with tracks available for streaming.
In April 2012, The Swellers parted ways with Fueled by Ramen and issued a 7" single titled Vehicle City Blues through Side One Dummy Records. On October 16, they independently released an EP named Running Out Of Places To Go.
The band signed with No Sleep Records in May 2013 and announced their fourth studio album The Light Under Closed Doors, which came out on October 29.
On April 15, 2014, they made available "B-sides and Rarities." Two months later, they declared their disbandment along with plans for farewell concerts.
In early 2015, The Swellers appeared at Australia's Soundwave festival. Their final performance occurred on May 1 at Groezrock.
In May 2024, a reworked compilation entitled B-sides and Rarities was released across streaming services featuring selections from previous records including Good For Me, Ups and Downsizing, Vehicle City Blues, among others.
Band members
- Last roster
- Nick Diener — lead vocals and guitar (2002–2015)
- Jonathan Diener — drums and backing vocals (2002–2015)
- Ryan Collins — guitar (2008–2015)
- Anto Boros — bass guitar and backing vocals (2009–2015)
- Previous members
- Garrett Burgett — guitar (2004–2008)
- Nate Lamberts — bass (2002–2005)
- Lance Nelson — bass (2005–2008)
- Brad Linden — bass (2008–2009)
- Touring contributors
- Ben Wixson — bass (2008)
- Timeline
Studio albums
- End of Discussion — Independently released, December 3, 2003
- My Everest — Issued March 19, 2007 via Search and Rescue Records and Radtone Music in Japan
- Ups and Downsizing — Launched September 29, 2009 under Fueled By Ramen
- Good for Me — Released June 14, 2011 through Fueled By Ramen
- The Light Under Closed Doors — Released October 29, 2013 on No Sleep Records
7-inch vinyl
- Welcome Back Riders — 7" vinyl issued July 28, 2009 by Fueled By Ramen and Paper + Plastick
- Vehicle City Blues — 7" vinyl released May 29, 2012 via Side One Dummy
Extended plays
- Beginning of the End Again — Released August 11, 2005 on Search and Rescue Records
- Running Out Of Places To Go — Independently released October 16, 2012
Demo recordings
- Long and Hard — Independently released in 2002
Compilation appearances
- First Taste Of The Morning (2005) TDR
- Pop Punk Loves You 3 (2007) Wynonna Records
- Everyone Living Under A Gun (2008) The Political Party Records
- Rock Against Malaria (2009) Eunuch Records
- Take Action! Vol 9. (2010) Sub City Records
- No Sleep 'Till Christmas 3 (2010) No Sleep Records
- Warped Tour 2010 Tour Compilation (2010) Side One Dummy Records
- Take Action! Vol 10. (2011) Sub City Records
- B-sides and Rarities (2014)
- Not Safe To Drink: Music For Flint Water Crisis Relief (2016)
- B-sides and Rarities (Re-imagined) (2024)
Music videos
- "Tunnel Vision" (2006)
- "Bottles" (2007)
- "Fire Away" (2009)
- "Sleeper" (2010)
- "The Best I Ever Had" (2011)
- "Inside My Head" (2012)
- "Hands" (2012)
- "Running Out of Places to Go" (2013)
- "Should" (2013)
- "High/Low" (2013)
- "Got Social" (2013)