News Update: due to the coronovirus outbreak the band have had to postpone most of their UK shows as all music venues etc have now closed down. We will be back with a bang when things return to normality. Please keep checking our website for further announcements, stay safe everyone! X
"The latest single 'Loaded Gun' was released on the 25th May 2020"
"LOADED GUN" (PRESS REVIEWS)
Review by Mods Of Your Generation (UK) https://www.modsofyourgeneration.com/post/the-swagger-new-single-loaded-gun-review
"Lee Stevens a singer/songwriter Frontman of a band called THE SWAGGER - an original 4-piece Grit-rock band from Hornsey, London UK approached Mods Of Your Generation asking if I would consider reviewing their new single/video 'Loaded Gun' which is planned for release on the 25th May 2020.
He kindly sent me the track and video to listen and view. I was overwhelmed by the lyrics, but more touching was the video that accompanied it.
"Highlighting a soldier who is suffering from PTSD due to the scars brought on by war who turns to alcoholism, develops relationship problems struggling to deal with its effects. This ultimately led to him ending up on the streets and becoming homeless. The story continues with the soldier receiving support through counselling and starts to get his life back on track and is eventually reunited with his family"
The Swagger was born in 2011 and so far they have released one EP (July 2016) and three singles. During the past few years they have grown as a band, their music highlights the daily struggles of everyday life which instantly allows you to be connected to the lyrics. They adopt a very British sound with influences such as Oasis and many others from the Britpop era but with a slice of punk attitude thrown in. Many readers will probably say "But they are not mod and it doesn't matter I wanted to raise awareness and help raise money for a worthy cause though a positive message. The feeling of the message in the music being all that matters. Highlighting real issues effecting real people is what I personally enjoy about music.
I have always been keen to raise awareness and money in aid of charities supporting and helping ex service personnel. Understanding the struggles and witnessing first-hand accounts while understanding the difficulties veterans face after leaving the military. Many of them finding themselves on the streets, whether due to mental health, financial or relationship problems.
After watching the video, I approached Lee with the idea to use the video message to raise awareness and raise money for charity in a bid to help our forgotten heroes. We agreed the best charity to donate a sum of the proceeds from the downloads of the track would be to Soldiers off the Street an independent charity that work with all veterans from all military forces past and present. Working with other charities that will help rehome or treat homeless veterans as long as they genuinely have the veteran’s best interests at heart as they do.
Collectively Lee, the whole band and I are privileged to support the charity which does so much for our veterans.
Review by Dancing About Architecture (USA) https://dancing-about-architecture.com/2020/05/23/loaded-gun-the-swagger-reviewed-by-dave-franklin/
"The last time The Swagger passed under the journalistic pen, there was very much a jaunty, Brit-pop groove and modish swagger (pun intended) to their sound, in fact Heart ‘n’Soul wore its influences very openly on the sleeves of its Fred Perry. Loaded Gun seems to come from an altogether different place. They have taken the rock roots which always laid much further down in their musical DNA and pushed them, not only to the fore but perhaps even to the fifth or sixth. See, I can do humour!
Maybe it is the effect that these bleak times are having upon us, darker times require darker music and this story of young soldier, injured in the line of duty and finally overcoming the traumatic aftermath to find redemption is perhaps more relevant today than ever. It is built on heavy rhythms and brooding bass, thunderous drums and a vocal delivery which piles even more world-weary weight onto the song.
Perhaps the message is that no matter how hard life is, no matter what you have been through, there is redemption… and redemption generally looks like other people. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, don’t be scared to fall, hopefully there will always be someone there to pick you back up.
A great song, a new sound and a poignant message.
Review by CC Badass (USA) https://www.ccbadass.com/kathryn-s-top-track-4?
"The Swagger are a 4 piece gritty rock band from London who formed in 2011.
Their latest single, released May 25 2020, which I have had the pleasure of listening to is entitled Loaded Gun. It starts off slowly and eases it’s way in then a fab drum beat takes it to another level and the vocals are searching, gravelly and set the tone for the number. The guitars are edgy and sound fantastic with the tone of his voice. You just get lost in the angst and immerse yourself in the sound and the story it conveys. The musicianship is amazing, the mood is just right and they are obviously very accomplished and know how to make their instruments tell a story.
The Song regales the tale of a veteran with PTSD who has difficulties re-joining the civilian world after what they’ve been through. The song then gets lighter as the story continues and with the help of a counsellor they manage to find some stability and a home, as well as reconnecting with loved ones from whom they’ve been estranged.
The lyrics, vocals and whole tone of the track tell the harrowing story and tells it wonderfully. It’s one of those songs that can change the way you see the world and gives you a deeper respect for those who serve our countries.
Review by Noise Journal (USA) https://www.noisejournal.com/2020/05/premiere-the-swagger-return-with-loaded-gun-single/
"Following last October’s maxi-single ‘Chin Up Boy’ our friends from London The Swagger strike back with a new single which releases today. The band consists of two brothers Lee Stevens (Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar), Paul Stevens (Lead Guitar/Keys/Backing Vocals), Will O’Connell (Bass Guitar), and Gaet Allard (Drums). The gang from Hornsey, London, plays alternative rock with a slice of punk attitude in all its motion while as you clearly imagine, they combine it all with the celebrated indies Albion heritage, the British style.
‘Loaded Gun’ is by far their best offering so far as they sound more mature than ever in their almost ten-year life as a band. In this decade they have released a string of maxis and two EP’s having worked with producers Graham Bonnar (Swervedriver, Brian Jonestown Massacre) recording their debut EP and Mike Bennett (The Specials, Ian Brown, The Fall) on singles ‘Heart N Soul’ & ‘Want It All’ in 2018 which was well received by the press receiving rave reviews and plenty of radio exposure around the globe. All these facts led them touring the West Coast in Sept/Oct 2019 playing shows in Las Vegas, L.A., Long Beach, San Diego & Oceanside California.
You know, it is all on the freshness and the authenticity of a band which makes the club owners, bookers and promoters to deal with such bands and to finally give them the stage to perform their music. And The Swagger do not pretend the brit-indie band which knows all the truth from the 90s because these boys from London, do not care immitating the glories of the past but they come as a new moniker that is struggling to refresh the heritage as it was sired first by The Who and later on polished by Ian Brown, and Oasis. These are the core influences on the band’s sound and these were the musings of their teens respectively.
The Swagger present the real current Brit – indies music which has become more underground now as the British kids are more interested in becoming middle-class yuppies with luxurious fantasies rather than struggling as a united youth against the system, with other motions and proposals toward society. The core of the celebrated Brit-90s came out of the streets and the alternative clubs and our guests today are comig from that same path. Without spending tons of money (they don’t have this knack) today they unveil a brand new official video for the ‘Loaded Gun’ single and yeah, they have something to say and they have something to shout out for. Here it is!
Review by Jammerzine (USA) https://jammerzine.com/first-listen-the-swagger-loaded-gun/
"The Swagger are set to drop their new single titled ‘Loaded Gun’ on May 25th, 2020. The band continues that magic momentum began years ago with a progression of the originality within the sound and the heaviness of the riff and rapture within the track. Combining what has inspired with what is contrived, The Swagger gives that hope within the hook that gives us that light at the end of the tunnel with a stadium worthy foot-stomper that is steady in the beat and gritty to the core with an inspirational interlude fit for the times"