4 Boston elementary (or was it kindergarten?) teachers started their musical careers as a Go-Go’s cover band before eventually transforming into shoegazers, the Swirlies. These guys are one of my favorite bands from the 90s who are unfortunately all but forgotten whenever the discussion turns to Shoegaze and/or Dream-Pop… while most fo the big acts were taking a stab at commercial success by that point in the 90s, Swirlies to me were truly the last and best band to wave Gazer flag proudly.

Early in their career teh Swirlies pretty much wore their influences on their sleeves releasing a few singles (eventually collected on  the EP, What to Do About Them) that had a heavy My Bloody Valentine, Chapterhouse, Slowdive & Sonic Youth influences. By the time they released their debut album in 1993, Blonder Tongue Audio Baton, While still openly influenced by those bands, The Swirlies were very much starting to craft their own particular style of shoegaze. They didn’t shy away from experimental side of things and loved parring long and abrasive spells noise against sweet and delicate dream-pop melodies. They started incorporated tape-loops and all sorts of keyboards along with one of the best guitar sounds of the 90s (The guitars are always just slightly untuned) in carving out what would become a pretty signature sound. As their career went on, the synth and various electronic elements would take a more prominent role for the band. This is best exhibited on their terrific follow-up, They Spent Their Wild Youthful Days…

Blonder Tongue Audio Baton, still stands as one of my favorite albums of that era. A snapshot of the collison between 90s stalwarts, Shoegaze, Indie Rock and even a little of burgeoning impact of electronica. This is a criminally overlooked and under-appreciated band, especially right now!

Swirlies – Blonder Tongue Audio Baton

- My Pal the Crook