Photo by Tony Dawe

by Matt Dixon, April '06

1. Please introduce Swords and give a bit of background info:
Adam G: My name is Adam and I play bass and do vocals. I used to play in Mach Tiver and Beaumont Hamel.

Adam B: My name is Adam and I play guitar and do vocals. I have played in the Five Year Plan, Langor, This Day Forth, Beaumont Hamel, Of the Ashes, Taxi Driver, Which Side? and I even got asked to be in The Killing but had to turn them down since I was in too many bands. We have all been in other bands and other bands together. We have been friends for years who enjoy playing music with one another.

Dave: Dave Strange, guitar. I have played in the bands Which Side? and Taxi Driver.

2. How would you describe your music to someone that has yet to hear it?
Adam G: Heavy, loud and epic.

Adam B: Loud is the word I use most in descibing our band to people.

Dave: Romantic and invincible.

3. What were the original goals of the band? Have they been met? If so, what are your current goals?
Adam B: The original goal, I guess, was to write a few songs and play some shows. Just to get off the ground and we have been able to do that. Now I would like to continue writing, playing shows and eventually release a full length.

Adam G: I joined after the band was started from The Ashes of Another band. My goal was to play bass in a band. I came from playing bass as a two piece with only a drummer so it was a much different dynamic, so I wanted to try and see if I could play with other people. Plus I really liked the idea of the band and I was becoming friends with the other guys at the same time they approached me about playing in it.

Dave: As Adam mentioned, 3 of the members of Swords were part of another band that went down the drain but we decided to keep jamming but in a new musical direction. It wasn't too long after that Adam asked Goodwin if he was interested in starting a Neurosis type metal band.

4. What are some things you try to communicate through the music?
Adam G: This is a tough one. Lyrically we are kind of all over the map. It is somewhat politicized but not in an overt way. It is fairly subtle. A lot of the lyrics are an opposition to religion. I really disagree with organized religion. I have no problem with people wanting to believe in something but for that belief to be used against them to try and control them, that is the problem I have with it.

5. What sets Swords apart from other bands?
Adam G: I think we write good songs for the type of music we play.

Adam B: Our drummer is a ninja.

Dave: We put a lot of effort into this band and I think you can see that when you see us play or hear our music.

6. Is it easy for you to play infront of an audience? What would be your ideal show situation (venue, crowd, other bands, etc)
Adam B: For some reason we spend a good portion of our live shows back on to the audience, so it is pretty easy to play for a crowd. Ideally I like playing in little rooms, late at night. I'll play with anyone .

Adam G: I love playing live. I like playing house shows. It doesn't really matter what other bands we play with as long as they aren't dicks to hang out with. Show diversity is pretty cool.

Dave: I love playing and have been for around 8 years but I am still very nervous everytime I play. It's not unusual for me to play an entire set back on to the crowd. I like playing small cramped venues.

7. What band made you want to start a band of your own?
Adam B: Going to local shows as a teenager; seeing those bands and how people reacted when they played really made me want to start my own band.

Adam G: The Sex Pistols and Metallica (this is pre Black Album Metallica) back when I was 12 or so but I never started a band until I was 18. At that point it was bands like Shotmaker.

Dave: When I was 14 or 15 my first band only played covers of our favourite bands like; Minor Threat, Bad Religion, Dead Kennedy's and Nofx.

8. When did punk/metal/whatever come into play?
Adam G: When I was about 17 or 18. DIY was the most important aspect of hardcore/punk for me. I grew up buying expensive records and tapes and then all of sudden I went to a few shows around where I grew up and they were selling their stuff cheap and it just made sense. Keeping control over what you are doing is important plus I like making our shirts, our cd covers.

9. When do you think the best time and situation to listen to Swords is?
Adam B: All the time.

Dave: I think when walking around or driving.

10. What can we expect from you in the future?
Adam B: A full length release in the near future I hope. Hopefully we can keep touring, I like getting off this island as much as I can.

Adam G: We are working on a full length album right now. as for tours, after this one we will see. Work and school seem to interfere a lot but I like touring and if the rest of the guys are up for it then so am I.

11. How can ppl contact you?
Adam G: info@monumentofswords.com or 666swords@gmail.com
www.monumentofswords.com and www.myspace.com/swords666. email is the best way to contact us or through myspace.