Spillapalooza, a benefit concert for the Center for Biological Diversity will take place August 1st! The Swigs will also play the KXCI 91.3FM Locals Only Show, 7/12 at 9PM.
PRESS RELEASE
TUCSON, Ariz. – Local bands will play a benefit concert Aug. 1 in Tucson focusing on the devastating oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Al Perry, Fish Karma, Loren Dirckes, the Swigs, the El Camino Royales, the Modeens and others are scheduled to play “Spillapalooza” at The Hut on 4th Avenue.
Proceeds from the concert will go to the Center for Biological Diversity’s Gulf Disaster Fund, which pays for the Tucson-based nonprofit’s efforts to hold BP, the federal government and others accountable for the spill and its disastrous effects on wildlife, wild places and the gulf’s economy.
Kevin Henderson, guitarist for the Swigs and the show’s head organizer, said the gulf disaster should be a wake up call for everyone. “It’s not a left or right wing issue,” Henderson said. “We'll either start treating the planet with some respect, or the prospects for human survival are pretty dismal."
The Center for Biological Diversity has taken swift and decisive action since the early stages of the Deepwater Horizon spill. The group has filed lawsuits to require environmental reviews of drilling projects, petitioned the government for more wildlife protections, and sued BP seeking $19 billion for violations of the Clean Water Act. “This is a disaster like no other in this country’s history and we need to make sure it never happens again,” said Mike Stark, a spokesman for the Center. “It’s easy to feel helpless in the face of such a massive spill but there are lots of ways for citizens to step in, help out and make their voices heard.”
The Aug. 1 benefit will be an opportunity to hear more about the Center’s efforts, learn about how citizens can take action and find out more about lessening your dependence on fossil fuels. “Oil drilling, spills, pollution – none of that’s sustainable,” Henderson said. “Change has to happen and it starts with each of us. We want to highlight positive steps people can make in their own lives.”
"Henderson and his two comerades-in-arns Blaine Rybke and Mark Witt celebrate rock songs with elements from folk, country, prog, blues, and everything else, prepared with joy. Wonderful riffs, fine structures, pop-songs like "Sleeping Sickness", or emotional moments like "Remember", weave together a whole experience which is in the best sense old school, without ever seeming one day stale.
A really welcome taste of color in this sometimes so monotonously grey world of (in this case only moderately) Heavy Metal Sounds, I can only join with Kevin: Give it a Spin!" -- Holger Bachmann, Heavyhardes, Germany "[Kevin] has been kicking around this town (and California) for years. With this CD, it all comes together for him and his band, a great rock band in their prime." --Al Perry, Zocalo Magazine, 4/2010.
"The band's no-holds-barred attitude, combining noisy jams and instrumental virtuosity, sounds inventive even in this postmodern age of information overload...This excellent disc will engage thoughtful rock fans in search of something fresh." -- Gene Armstrong, reviewing Let it Come Down in the Tucson Weekly, February 25, 2010.
"Which is Perry's favorite Arizona band? He mentions the Swigs, a band he saw at the Red Room two nights prior. "That's what I like about rock music; it's noisy and it's interesting and it rocks." -- Al Perry interviewed in the Arizona Daily Star, September 3rd, 2009. Download the brand new Swigs album for a mere $8.91 on Itunes!
Recorded by Nathan Sabatino at Loveland. Mastered by David Shirk at Sonorous. Artwork by Jane Pitts of Ozma Design. Nine uncompromising, sonically gorgeous visionary rock songs for the price of two drinks!
The Swigs played the Buffet's 75th anniverary last October. A hearty thanks to Lisha and William, the owners, for inviting us, and to all the staff and regulars for their hospitality.
Swigs Myspace: myspace.com/theswigs Mike Troupe and Eric Snyder are now playing with the Swigs! More Videos on the Swigs page!
"Longtime local musician Kevin Henderson, guitarist with the rock band The Swigs, has issued a top-notch double CD that is, for the most part, truly a solo effort--and on his own label, too..."
"Whether playing acoustic or electric, Henderson proves his mettle, producing a fevered sound that at times recalls the folk, pop, country, blues, prog rock and jazz of musical progenitors Jeff Beck, Sandy Bull, Steve Howe, Bill Nelson and Leo Kottke, among others."
"Ambient, psychedelic, drifting and strange - this album oozes cool but does so in a way that’s quite hard to put your finger on." -- Subcity Radio, Glasgow, UK
Sapient Records is pleased to announce the release of Kevin Henderson's double CD, Watch Your Head.
