By Mark Pruett
The punk scene in Washington, D.C. is widely regarded as the epicenter of the genre in the United States. Its distant roots reach back to 1960’s counterculture, but what erupted in the late 1970’s became the bedrock for one of the most densely packed and influential eras in American music. By the end of that decade, the tipping point had arrived and a wildfire tore through the underground.
As the early 1980’s took shape, the elder statesmen of the movement emerged and the scene began to draw attention far beyond the city limits. The mid-80’s brought a fracturing and evolution that reshaped everything. Revolution Summer cracked open new emotional and political territory, and post-hardcore, emo, and countless sub-genres took root. It is a dizzying subject with strong opinions on every side, especially when politics and activism enter the conversation.
Gatekeeping has always existed, but the altruistic intent of that era often feels lost in today’s landscape. Modern categories exist mostly to group bands together for convenience. Standing for something is difficult now. Back then, the intent, the anger, and the music were all genuine.
With respect to everyone involved, that is a topic for another day.
Swiz emerged in 1987 with vigor and purpose. Shawn Brown had been fronting Dag Nasty and then suddenly wasn’t. A chance meeting with Ramsey Metcalf set the spark. Nathan Larson, Alex Daniels, and Jason Farrell completed the lineup. They clicked immediately, forming tight bonds that mirrored the closeness of the entire DC scene. Like most bands in that world, their DIY ethos were essential to their survival.
They galvanized around a simple idea. Their version of punk would be fast, aggressive, and intense. Pointing their compass toward hardcore set them on a wild run from 1987 to 1990. Every kid in the 80’s dreamed of making it in a band. Swiz lived it. They built their career with bare hands, borrowed gear, and a stubborn will to keep moving.
This is why they are legends of the DC punk scene.
Akashic Books has released Swiz, a chronicle of their time and impact. It’s a collection of writings from Alex Daniels, Jason Farrell, Nathan Larson, Amanda MacKaye, Dave Stern, Shawn Brown, and Ramsey Metcalf. It features a smattering of photographs and other memories from their journey.
The first page opens with an excerpt from Peter Shaffer’s Equus:
“…it’s a swiz, it seems to be offering you something, but actually it’s taking something away. Your intelligence and your concentration, every minute…”
The word swiz means swindle, and in the context of 1980’s youth, it fits perfectly. The punk movement carried a mature distrust of authority, snarling sarcasm, and a relentless drive to accomplish everything without assistance.
The Foreword states,
“Swiz was a Washington, D.C., hardcore punk band that existed from April 1987 through August of 1990, during which they played roughly 100 shows, wrote 35 songs, and released one 7” and two 12” vinyl records. Two more 7” records and a compilation CD were released in the three years immediately following their dissolution. This collection of writings is not meant to expand on those statistics.”
The book is not quite a moment-by-moment chronicle. Rather, it is a poignant collection of memories that offers a direct glimpse into the soul of the band. In their short existence, they ran wild across the unknown. With impossible odds and limited resources, they carved a path and overcame obstacles that would test the strongest of spirits.
In the entry “Hot Ghost: Nevada 1998,” Jason recalls the classic ailment of all touring bands: the van. As if guided by some higher power, they limped away from a gas station in Nevada. Not without the essentials. “Shawn and Amanda wandered back with Cokes and cheap snacks. We piled back in the van, negotiated seats, and the collective mood brightened in the process.” The van moved forward, and denial (fed by snacks) carried them the rest of the way.
Coaxing the van into motion was only one challenge. They survived on five dollars a day. Dave writes (entry: “Get in the Van”), “Touring is kinda like a constant state of damage management. Shows are canceled, we haven’t left our previous city yet, we stay or park close to working pay phones to check in the next happening gig, 5 dollars a day was a standard daily budget for each punk in the van. Seems like a number lodged in our heads from the price of shows.” The road became an endless blur of miles, meals, and stolen minutes of sleep. In between the chaos, the shows happened. That moment on stage was the holy grail. They endured everything for it.
The tendrils of fate that brought them together grew stronger with every step forward, even when those steps went sideways. Shawn describes the band simply (entry: “Pure”): “All of us in Swiz shared a very tight bond, we were all roughly the same age, and wanted the same things. We didn’t have any aspirations, we weren’t really trying to do anything with it, it was just playing music. It was pure, we weren’t thinking it would become some serious thing, it was just experiencing it.” This all paid off in the form of the music.
It is often said that the candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long. I don’t know the true lifespan of a DC punk band, but Swiz lived several lifetimes in their short run. Every epic journey ends. People move on. The memory remains. They left an indelible mark on the scene, on their fans, and within the bonds between each member. For those who were there, it’s easy to recall. From those admiring from afar, it’s almost impossible to know the little things.
Swiz (the book) is a brilliant way to experience what made those moments great… the little things as it were. Listening to the music will transport you, but hearing about everything in between paints the full picture. The book is a reminder of why DC punk mattered and the attitudes that gave it momentum. Against impossible odds, they rose from nothing and left hard-coded memories with everyone who witnessed it. Now we get to share in that.
The words, the photos, and the sum of the parts are symbols of what Generation X and DC hardcore punk stands for. Endurance, perseverance, creativity, ingenuity, sarcasm, and swagger. It is all there. You don’t need to be an all-in punk fan to enjoy it, this is a generational monument.
Put it in your cart. Wait for it to arrive. Read it. Enjoy it. Share it. This book belongs in your collection. So what are you waiting for?
The moment in time for Swiz has passed, but the reverberations will exist forever.
T.C.T.P.
IFYKYK
Mark Pruett is Editor in Chief of Whiskey Network and a relentless champion of the local music scene, immersing himself in the raw energy of live shows year-round. He lives with his family in Southern California, forever chasing the next great story.