Film School's last show was a blistering display of visual psychedelia and delicious noise-pop, and I don't think anyone in attendance was surprised. The band have been honing their skills on the road over the past year in support of the excellent Hideout (Beggars Group), playing SXSW, and now, revealing tour dates to Buzznet with the amazing Swervedriver. They have to be pretty f---ing stoked.



Swervedriver may be a mystery to some of you. They spent the tail end of the '80s, and most of the '90s, weaving heavy guitar riffs over mountains of dreamy chord progressions, never sounding tired or dependent on effects. Unfairly categorized by the British press as 'shoegaze,' the band stood out with their technical ability and dynamic rhythms. They were always closer to Dinosaur Jr. really, only they added a more expansive palette of guitar tones, Blue Cheer-influenced melodies, and Adam Franklin's distinctive vocal melodies into their attack.

1991's Raise became the launching pad for most American fans, but it wasn't until 1993's Mezcal Head where the band caught the attention of Mtv. They took their sound and pushed it even further on the singles "Duel" and "Last Train to Satanville." The next two albums, Ejector Seat Reservation and 99th Dream, were solid, but their label eventually lost interest. Franklin journeyed on with his Toshack Highway releases and 2007's highly underrated Bolt's of Melody, which is the closest thing you'll find to a true Swervie album.

Late last year I interviewed Franklin...he never mentioned a reunion. That also makes it special. The news came from out of nowhere a few months later after he released a statement on the Swervedriver Web site that they would indeed be reuniting for a 2008 tour. Similar artists from that era (The Verve, My Bloody Valentine) have since done the same.

Rave Down:

5.26: Seattle, WA @ Neumo's *
5.27: Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom *
5.30: San Diego, CA @ Casbah *
5.31: Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda Theater *
6.3: Austin, TX @ Emo's
6.10: Boston, MA @ Paradise Club
6.11: New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
6.12: Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

* with Film School