It was only when I was asked to review the new Swerve City single that I realised I still hadn’t reviewed the previous one! That’s what happens when I am not organised enough, but given I always have too much to write about and not enough time to listen and write then it is no surprise that things sometimes fall through the cracks. All the guys involved in this group, Adam Forsdyke (drums), Kevin Ashby (lead guitars, vocals), Shannon Coulomb (bass) and JP Carroll (guitar, lead vocals) have been around the Auckland scene in different bands for some years, sometimes sharing the same stage, so when they got together everything seemed very easy and relaxed.

Swerve City state they have a mission, which is to create music that is a salve for life’s problems. The band stands for loyalty, camaraderie, and humility; four would-be comedians on the same page, one where openness to opportunity is valued, and the word ‘no’ has been removed from the vocabulary. That centred and direct approach comes through in this single, which is commercial yet powerful, melodic hard rock which can be gentle and delicate at times with an almost heavy power pop approach while at others it is abrasive and hard-hitting. There are times when the vocal harmonies rise, the guitars crunch, and the hooks in the chorus get everyone singing along. In the studio there is polish, yet I am sure that when this is played live then it is somewhat heavier. I am supposed to be seeing them at the mini festival they have arranged, SwerveFest, and based on this that is going to be some night out. Melodic alternative hard rock, commercial with balls, this is great.

Rating: 8/10

Links:
https://swervecity.band/