Swans

Swans is an American experimental rock band created by multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and songwriter Michael Gira. Initially formed as a no wave band off the heels of Gira's previous band Circus Mort in 1982, the band grew into innovative and creative territories based off the counterculture of New York. Swans was known for having a large swirling door of contributors, each album having a vastly different personnel. A second stagnant member, Jarboe, joined the group in 1986.

After Jarboe joined, the group started to get more melodic and musical, as opposed to the no wave and industrial music they had created before. With this new musicality, they became a pioneer of the Post-Punk genre. However, by the mid-1990s, Gira and Jarboe wanted to experiment more on their own and split the band amicably to focus on different projects.

Gira worked on experimental projects such as Angels of Light, a folkier and acoustic band. However, in 2010, Gira revived the band without Jarboe, and meshed together the Post-Punk of their 90s output and the neo-folk of Angels of Light. This effectively made Swans a Post-Rock band. Fans seemed to enjoy it, so the band kept soldiering on. It is during this period Swans made some of their most acclaimed records. Since the band was revived, a cast of musicians have rotated in and out of the band.

Discography

 * See Discography for singles, EPs, live albums and such

Industrial Era


 * Filth (1983)
 * Cop (1984)
 * Greed (1986)
 * Holy Money (1986)

Post-Punk Era


 * Children of God (1987)
 * The Burning World (1989)
 * White Light from the Mouth of Infinity (1991)
 * Love of Life (1992)
 * The Great Annihilator (1995)
 * Soundtracks for the Blind (1996)

Post-Rock Era


 * My Father Will Guide Me Up in a Rope to the Sky (2010)
 * The Seer (2012)
 * To Be Kind (2014)
 * The Glowing Man (2016)
 * Leaving Meaning (2019)

Members

 * Michael Gira – vocals, bass guitar (1982 – 1983), guitar (1984 – 1997, 2010 – 2017, 2019 – present)
 * Bob Pezzola – guitar (1982)
 * Jonathan Kane – drums (1982 – 1983)
 * Daniel Galli-Duani – saxophone (1982)
 * Roli Mosimann – drums, percussion, tapes (1983 – 1984)
 * Norman Westburg – guitar (1983 – 1986)
 * Harry Crosby – bass guitar (1983 – 1986)
 * Ronaldo Gonzalez – drums (1986)
 * Jarboe – keyboards, backing vocals (1986 – 1997)
 * Ted Parsons – drums (1986)
 * Ivan Nahem – drums (1986)
 * Algis Kizys – bass (1986)