Swank

Swank is a group from the United States that works in the border area between Americana, punk and rock and roll. The name is used by more than one artist, including a Sacramento rapper who is one third of the trio Fyre and a North Carolina rapper formerly known as $wank, but the band described here is the five-piece act associated with Western Canada and Vancouver.

Style and sound

The band combines harmonica, gospel elements, banjo, yodelling and distorted guitars. Its music draws on country, rockabilly, blues, bluegrass, soul and punk, with an emphasis on rough, barroom energy and working-class imagery. The group’s own recording titles include Pappy’s Corn Squeezin’s, The Survival Issue and the Hollow Tree EP.

Releases and recordings

The Survival Issue follows the debut album Pappy’s Corn Squeezin’s. The band also releases the 2006 Hollow Tree EP. Its songs appear on several compilations, including Zombie Night in Canada Volume 2, the Vancouver Roots collection Showdown, and Johnny Hanson presents Puck Rock Classics Volume 2.

A video for the single How Do We Do is directed by Patrick Carroll, who works on Spider-Man: The Animated Series. The band’s music plays on national radio, international podcasts and college stations.

Live activity and touring

Swank tours in the UK and Ireland and performs at festivals such as Kilkenny Rhythm n Roots Festival, where it plays two headline shows. Live sets are described as up to three performances in a night, with the band developing a following in Western Canada through both headline and support appearances.

Line-up

The five members are Paul Addington on electric and acoustic guitars and vocals, Phil Addington on bass and vocals, Kirk Douglas on drums, percussion, vocals, guitar and dobro, Doug Liddle on electric and acoustic guitars, slide and steel guitar, banjo and vocals, and Spencer McKinnon on lead vocals and harmonica.

Production

At one stage the band is completing a third full-length album with producer Howard Redekopp, who has worked with New Pornographers and 54-40.