When news broke in 2008 that Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” was among the top 10 most played by U.S. interrogators to break down suspected terrorists at Guantanamo Bay, I couldn’t help but laugh (the list also included “Born in the U.S.A.” and the theme from “Sesame Street”). This is a song by a band that operates in the pop music pantheon, one that makes pleasurable music tailored to commercial radio stations and sold-out stadiums. I regularly hear “Enter Sandman” sandwiched between Mariah Carey and Ace of Base on the ‘90s station on SiriusXM. I think my mom knows the song.
In other words, Metallica has not been an offensive-sounding band since its first record, and the decision to blare its most popular crossover hit simply reflects a lack of breadth in the music knowledge of our interrogators. There are many superior music options that truly are offensive to Middle Eastern as
well as western ears – like certain Yoko Ono recordings or the unlistenable wail of Lou Reed’s “Metal Machine Music.” But if the U.S. military really wanted to torture terrorists via music, they could do no better than the early recordings of New York-based band Swans.
When Swans emerged in the early 1980s, the group was lumped in with No Wave movement, because its sound had to be filed somewhere. Led by the gutteral caterwauls of frontman Michael Gira, Swans played dissonant, atonal, repetitive sludge-rock that chafed defiantly against every principle of popular music. It actually sounded like Gira was being physically tortured on every track, the rhythmless shards of guitar piercing his soul like sonic daggers and making him say so many horrible things.
Here’s an example: Coward
Those early records – the “Body to Body/Job to Job” compilation and debut LP “Filth” – could be playing during any Halloween-themed walk-through, and they would do a better job scaring the bejeesus out of the visitors than any visual aide. Inevitably, as every band does, Swans have mellowed over the years. On such monumental releases as “Children of God” (1987), “Love of Life” (1992) and “The Great Annihilator” (1995), Swans developed a powerful and progressive melodic sense; some of their musical passages could actually be described as “twinkly.” The band began to explore more instrumental color, dynamics and harmonies than ever before. Gira abandoned his death-metal warblings for a clear, doom-laden baritone. By the time the band got around to 1996’s “Soundtracks for the Blind,” it had embraced an almost tranquil post-rock and ambient atmosphere far removed from its bludgeoning beginnings. Lyrically, Swans still seemed to be suggesting the apocalypse looming around the corner — the imminent demise of themselves, God, the world, etc. — but in a manner that actually be appreciated by a large swath of potential listeners.
It is undoubtedly this version of Swans that will perform next Wednesday, Aug. 14 at Respectable Street in West Palm Beach, for the band’s first South Florida gig in more than a decade. It’s part of a reunion tour – Swans broke up in the late ‘90s and are back together in support of “My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky,” its first album in 15 years, a series of eight coffin-black musical suites that find the band continuing to grow. The song “Reeling the Liars In” even suggests an untapped affection for acoustic folk arrangements.
Here’s a live track from the new album: Jim
I encourage Boca Magazine readers to take a chance on Swans next week; you’ll surely never get another chance to see them. But come prepared: Swans play music significantly louder than most acts, so bring earplugs, and shortly before the group takes the stage, they’ll shut off the A/C in the club. Gira likes to equate the experience to that of a Native American sweat lodge, describing Swans’ live show as “soul-uplifting and body-destroying.” Sounds like fun!
Swans will perform at 9 p.m. Sept. 14 at Respectable Street, 518 Clematis St., West Palm Beach. Sir Richard Bishop will open. Tickets are $18.50 in advance or $22.50 at the door. Visithttp://respectablestreet.musictoday.com/RespectableStreetCafe/calendar.aspx
