For those not au fait with wrestling vernacular, the Swanton Bomb is a manoeuvre, popularised by the three-time world champion Jeff Hardy, that involves leaping off a top rope, flipping your body over and landing back-first upon your opponent. So what does it have to do with Swanton Bombs, the band?  “Absolutely nothing,” concedes singer and guitarist Dominic McGuinness. “We just thought it was pretty cool.”

They’re not wrong. But if their name conjures images of stunts and circus-style theatrics, Swanton Bombs are an altogether more serious proposition. Their sound is a visceral, unvarnished blend of blues and punk, underpinned by rich narratives and resolute melodies, and informed by McGuinness and drummer Brendan Heaney’s admiration for The Clash, Television, The Ramones and Richard Hell along with the moody, blues-rock stylings of Randy Newman, Tom Waits and Nick Cave.

McGuinness and Heaney are 20 year-old ex-school friends from the London/Essex borders who bonded, aged 11, over their all-consuming love of rock. It was 2001 and their respective worlds had been turned upside-down by The Strokes’ first album. “It was pivotal,” says Heaney. “For us, that was where it all began.”

Music was already in McGuinness’s blood - his dad played boogie- woogie at home while his older brother is the celebrated singer- songwriter Eugene McGuinness. Meanwhile, Heaney, who admits to having been a “devilish child”, took up his parents’ offer of drumming lessons at 11 as a means of channelling his irrepressible energy. The pair have been in and out of bands for the past 10 years, each one bringing crucial musical developments. In late 2007 they masterminded Swanton Bombs, which saw them finally pared back to a twosome.

There’s no disputing the chemistry. Nearly a decade of friendship has left McGuinness and Heaney able to read each other’s thoughts, a fact that is evident on their 2008 Mammoth Skull EP and their hugely acclaimed full-length offering, Smoke Over Swanton. Their chemistry is equally manifest in their extraordinary live shows, one of which caught the attention of Turnstile Music. After signing Swanton Bombs to a partnership deal, Turnstile helped them set up their own imprint QUIFF, upon which they are releasing their forthcoming album Mumbo Jumbo and Murder, a brilliantly propulsive and raw slice of blues-rock.

It’s testament to McGuinness and Heaney’s passion and dedication that they have made huge sacrifices for their art. McGuinness abandoned an art foundation course after just two months to concentrate on music while Heaney turned down a place at university. Was it worth the risk?

“Definitely,” reflects Heaney. “This is music. It’s not a hobby anymore. It’s what we do.” Ladies and gentlemen: Swanton Bombs.

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UK Booking - jason@theartofagency.co.uk

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