Swearin’ | photo by Ali Donahue | courtesy of the artist
Swearin’ is back, baby, newly signed to Merge Records
When a reunited Swearin‘ opened for Superchunk at Union Transfer earlier this month, not only did they sound totally asskicking in that proverbial haven’t-missed-a-beat kind of way, they also debuted two new songs during their set, giving fans hope that getting back together was not just a one-off novelty for the tour.
Today, we are happy to report that the Philly-formed band has joined the roster of Merge Records, a move that totally makes sense — singer-guitarist Allison Crutchfield released her solo record on Merge in 2017, and her sister Katie’s band Waxahatchee (which she also plays in) has called Merge home since 2015.
The band is comprised of Crutchfield as well as fellow singer-guitarist Kyle Gilbride, longtime drummer Jeff Bolt, and new bassist Amanda Bartley. Gilbrade shared this statement in a press release about Swearin’ 2.0:
If time were real, it would have healed our wounds, but it’s not, so we decided to make a rock record. And to make one the way we always have! Quickly, at home, and for no one in particular.
Fortunately for us, Merge hadn’t dismissed us as an oddity from earlier in the decade and said, “sup with that record?”
And with their help, we’ve been reintroduced to polite society.
Sometimes a band takes on a life of its own, and it seems this one came back to us when it was ready, and in its new form, to stay for the foreseeable future.
Though there is no news to report of current recordings or releases, but we can be patient for that. The band is heading on tour this August with Mike Kroll, and will do a couple one-off dates with Ought as well. Dates and gig poster can be found below, as well as a throwback to the band’s jam of jams “Dust In The Gold Sack.”
Tour Dates
Aug 01 San Diego, CA – Space Bar*
Aug 02 Los Angeles, CA – Highland Park Ebell Club*
Aug 03 San Jose, CA – The Ritz*
Aug 05 Seattle, WA – Chop Suey*
Aug 06 Vancouver, BC – Fox Cabaret*
Aug 07 Portland, OR – Doug Fir*
Aug 09 San Francisco, CA – Rickshaw Stop*
Aug 10 Fresno, CA – Strummer’s*
Aug 11 Pioneertown, CA – Pappy and Harriet’s*
Sep 05 Baltimore, MD – Ottobar^
Sep 06 Richmond, VA – Strange Matter^
*w/ Mike Krol
^w/ Ought
