Swervedriver - Raise the Octane

The English band Swervedriver formed in 1989 emerging from the shoegaze scene in Oxford. This alternative band blended the hazy guitar textures of shoegaze with a high-octane alternative rock and grunge sound setting them apart from their shoegazing peers.

While not fitting one specific genre, Swervedriver's first two albums, the 1991 debut Raise and and 1993's Mezcal Head, were considered important to shoegaze due to the inclusion of the heavier guitar driven material. The band, which often sung about cars and the open road, would continue to evolve their sound over the following years to include elements of psychedelia, classic pop, and indie rock.

Swervedriver formed from the remnants of a mid-80’s band Shake Appeal, and during their first run as a band between 1989 and 1998, they released four studio albums and numerous EPs. By the end of 1998 the band had broken up and would reunite a decade later. Since 2008, Swervedriver has toured periodically and released two studio LP’s.

This episode will tell the story of the Oxford band from the pre-band years through the 90’s.