Swell

Swell are an indie rock group from San Francisco, United States. Formed in 1989, the band begins as a recording project led by vocalist and guitarist David Freel and drummer Sean Kirkpatrick. It later adds second guitarist John Dettman and bassist Monte Vallier for its first releases.

Early releases

The group records a self-titled debut album and issues it on its own Psycho Specific label in 1990. It plays its first live show in August of that year, supporting Mazzy Star at the I-Beam in San Francisco. The band then tours California and releases Well? in 1992.

Line-up changes and later albums

John Dettman leaves soon after Well?, and Freel and Kirkpatrick continue. The album draws the attention of Def American Records, which gives it a wider release a year after its original issue. Guitarist Tom Hays joins to replace Dettman as the band records its third album, 41, which appears in 1993.

Further work

Swell’s later albums include Too Many Days Without Thinking from 1997, For All the Beautiful People from 1998, and Everybody Wants to Know, which appears in 2001. Its sound draws on neo-psychedelia, noise pop, and Ennio Morricone film scores. The group remains active.