New Swears

     To bill New Swears as just simply as a party band would be to miss a lot of what this band is about. Sure, they present themselves as such in videos and used to run a house party concert hall that they were politely asked to vacate from (i.e., evicted). Underneath this all, New Swears are punk-garage-power-pop band that plays effortlessly catchy tunes that deal more with lost nights than lost love.

Interview by Ed Stuart

Who’s answering the questions?

New Swears

Where is the New Swears from?

Bells Corners, Canada

Who is in the band and what do they do?

Nick farms the land.
BJ tends the chickens.
Scru Bar stokes the fire.
Sammy churns the butter.

How did the New Swears start?

All went to sam skool, lol.

What bands did you have in mind when starting this band?

Sly and the Family Stone.

You guys live in a house called Fun Boy Clubhouse which doubles as some of the member’s house and also as basement party show central headquarters not to mention has a downstairs bar and indoor skate ramp. Who came up with the idea of having shows at the house?
We all individually claim that we were the one to originally come up with the idea for shows. Thanks for re-opening Pandora’s box.

To piggyback off this question, I read the interview New Swears did with Standard Issue Punk Rock Zine and the tales of reckless partying that has happened there. Do you guys still live in the house? If so, does the landlord not care about this house?
We got evicted. The landlord was very upset. He is coming after us for large sums of money. Police are involved. For legal reasons – no comment.

What is Ottawa like?  How is the music scene in Ottawa? Is Ottawa harboring a bunch of rad bands that it seems like many other cities in Canada are?

Ottawa is a peaceful village. Good scene, even greater bands but even better friends.

Check out Tropical Dripps, Slippies, and Glorious Moon Rockets.

In one review, I read the band being described as “Mean Jeans meets Black Lips,” but in many ways New Swears is like this garage-power-pop band that instead of signing about broken hearts sings about what they have broke literally.  What are some of the band’s favorite bands and main songwriting influences?
BJ, “Who the fuck are the Mean Jeans?”
Nick, “They played at your house dingbat!”
BJ, “Fuck you coward, I know.”

Right at this moment we are listening to R. Kelly “I Believe I can Fly.” Honorable mentions to Urethra Franklin.

Originally, Bachelor released the European version of Funny Isn’t Real and now they are releasing the band’s new LP, Junkfood Forever, Bedtime Whatever. Did Bachelor immediately offer to release the new LP?

Bachelor has been Mr. fantastic! They offered immediately and we said “Hey what the hell not boys! Get some Combos Snacks and call it a release!”

Do you think music can still be a vital force in such a disposable age?

Yes, I believe music can be such an extreme force. I like it but I also know that illuminati are behind all music. Therefore one cannot be forced to answer such a “see-saw” of a question.

50 years ago people used to buy music and get their water for free, now people pay for water and get their music for free. How do you think this affects music in any way?

You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink. You can put headphones on that same horse and he just might end up going to your band camp and tossing you a Facebook like. And that same horse might have to be put down because of gang green on his hind legs. Lucky was the best racehorse the world had ever seen. RIP.

Other than host shows and play in New Swears, what else do you guys do to fill your free time?

We skinny-dip with celebs, a lot.

Where can people hear New Swears and what’s next?

https://www.facebook.com/NewSwears

We tour Europe in Fall 2014 check here for dates:
https://www.facebook.com/events/900020053355430/

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