There were a couple of things that triggered the formation of SWMRS. One was seeing the film School of Rock, which put the idea into their brains, although none of them knew how to play their instruments at the time…but since when has that deterred any inspiration? And two, all four bandmates experienced an intense performance by rap/hip-hop artist Skepta at Reading Leeds Festival one year. That alone was a life-changing moment, enough to “set us off on this journey to figure out how to make our music have that same kind of intensity to it, while slowing it down,” explained front man Cole Becker in a recent interview with Studio Brussel.
“We come from punk, but it sounds like the ideas of punk put into a modern context with a lot of dance, a lot of rock,” Max Becker added.
SWMRS’ Berkeley’s On Fire tour includes a show tonight at Barracuda, 611 E. 7th St. They share the bill with The Regrettes and Beach Goons. Doors at 8 p.m. Recommended.
-Photo courtesy of the artist.
