STEVE2.NET

This dog hauled his ass up to the new improved GROG SHOP in Coventry last Thursday night to hear ACROSS THIS SWAAMP (www.swaamp.com) and was treated to a two part surprise: FIRST SURPRISE: The new GROG SHOP is soooo great! It's just so right and nice - it has a big roomy room with a shiny concrete dance floor, a large stage area, a great sound system, a loaded juke box, and a nice long bar - the whole place is cleaner - it looks better, it smells good, it feels nice. It's a nice place to be to hear/see a band! SECOND SURPRISE: A most refreshing and invigoratingly 'New Improved' rhythm section has been added to the Swaamp lineup - and the new guys really sound mature and professional, bending the whole band sound towards a more energetic, focused, Rock and Roll personality. I had only a few minutes to speak with Phil, the new drummer cat, he brought an all electronic kit and played it deftly - this dog has detected that Phil is contributing needed dimension, accuracy, and depth to the Swaamp mix. I did not unfortunately even get a moment to talk with the new bass player (I didn't even get his name .. Oops) as he arrived late and just jumped up onto the stage (front and center) ready to go! Whoever this New Swaamp Guy is, he is all there from the first note to the last - playing with equal parts gusto, subtlety, abandon and go-juice. And go they did - the band sounded great, the harmonies between Tim and Charlie were tight, the whole band played with admirable dynamics (Tim Fry tastefully interjected clean guitar riffs here and there into the ebb and flow - at times sounding more than a little Jerry Garcia-esq) leaving enough space in the music to allow Charlies easily recognizable voice to cut through the mix. The last song of the set was energetic and rocked up - this has been an approach that the Swaamp has used since the beginning of the band, starting the set with a somewhat subdued, and building towards a swooping rock and roll climax. After only this one show, it is most obvious to this listener dog that with the current rhythm section, The Swaamp has moved closer to a 'lighter and tighter' more professionally focused sound, one that I am looking forward to hearing again and again in the near future - look for them around the town!