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Swans

Pop/Rock

1980s - 2010s

Influential American noise rock group who emerged from the thriving New York underground scene of the 80s.

Biography

Led by Michael Gira, the Swans started out on New York City's underground music scene in the early 1980s with a dark, heavy sound equal parts industrial, post-punk, and experimental. Over the course of the decade, partially aided by the addition of singer Jarboe, the band toned down the sonic shock tactics and became more sophisticated and melodic. After a cover of Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart" had earned them college radio play, they released their first major-label album, 1989's Bill Laswell-produced BURNING WORLD, an accessible record full of graceful beauty. In the mid-'90s, Gira retired the Swans, recording instead under the name Angels of Light.

Influences

Artists Influenced by Swans

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