Jim Kook brought a new dimension to the set up, being a decent guitar and keyboard player. Prevously, working as a three piece had been hard and with Jim’s input and the fact that he took the pressure off David playing guitar, allowing David to become a more dynamic and expressive vocalist, speaks volumes. The band also encouraged Jim to express himself and soon Jim was playing with unconventional effects and sounds that were to become his trademark. A new member also sparked a new name. The Sway was born and the line up of David Casson (Vocals and Guitar), Jim Kook (Guitars/Keyboards), Paul Hogan (Bass) and Sean Kelly (Drums), remains the heartbeat of The Sway 20 years later. The boys paid their dues on the London indie scene during 1991 and 1992, which culminated in a deal with Bad Habits records and a management deal with local music entrepreneur, Roger Tichboure, who was instumental in the success The Sway enjoyed at this time.Between 1993 and 1995, The Sway fulfilled their dream of playing music as a career, quit their day jobs and went on to headline three UK tours, including two sold out gigs at the legendary Marquee club in London. They also premiered their single and video (for second single - Going Blind), at the world famous Planet Hollywood, in London.Bigger support shows with staples on the indie scene, such as Midway Still, Manta Ray, Passion Fruit and Holy Bread, Bang Bang Machine and the Wishplants were a regular occurance and the music press drew comparisons with The Cure, The Bunnymen and The Smiths. Ian Fortnum of the NME remarked in 1993, that "the set's closer, 'Silk', is a bona fide classic; an immense, brooding epic, evocative of vintage U2". High praise indeed! Also, a young scottish band called 'Travis', had the pleasure of supporting The Sway during this period.Then, in May 1995, after over one hundred and twenty shows, two top 100 singles (Silk and Going Blind), one ridiculous video featuring dancing girls (for Going Blind), and seemingly on the verge of fulfilling the prophecy, of being the next big thing, the band called it quits. The Sway played their last ever show at a live event for BBC radio, in Birmingham City Centre and disappeared without statement.Going Blind Video - 1995
Jim Kook brought a new dimension to the set
up, being a decent guitar and keyboard player.
Prevously, working as a three piece had been
hard and with Jim’s input and the fact that he
took the pressure off David playing guitar,
allowing David to become a more dynamic and
expressive vocalist, speaks volumes. The band
also encouraged Jim to express himself and
soon Jim was playing with unconventional
effects and sounds that were to become his
trademark. A new member also sparked a new
name. The Sway was born and the line up of
David Casson (Vocals and Guitar), Jim Kook
(Guitars/Keyboards), Paul Hogan (Bass) and
Sean Kelly (Drums), remains the heartbeat of
The Sway 20 years later.
The boys paid their dues on the London indie
scene during 1991 and 1992, which culminated
in a deal with Bad Habits records and a
management deal with local music entrepreneur,
Roger Tichboure, who was instumental in the
success The Sway enjoyed at this time.
Between 1993 and 1995, The Sway fulfilled
their dream of playing music as a career, quit
their day jobs and went on to headline three
UK tours, including two sold out gigs at the
legendary Marquee club in London. They also
premiered their single and video (for second
single - Going Blind), at the world famous
Planet Hollywood, in London.
Bigger support shows with staples on the indie
scene, such as Midway Still, Manta Ray,
Passion Fruit and Holy Bread, Bang Bang
Machine and the Wishplants were a regular
occurance and the music press drew
comparisons with The Cure, The Bunnymen
and The Smiths. Ian Fortnum of the NME
remarked in 1993, that "the set's closer, 'Silk',
is a bona fide classic; an immense, brooding
epic, evocative of vintage U2". High praise
indeed! Also, a young scottish band called
'Travis', had the pleasure of supporting The
Sway during this period.
Then, in May 1995, after over one hundred and
twenty shows, two top 100 singles (Silk and
Going Blind), one ridiculous video featuring
dancing girls (for Going Blind), and seemingly
on the verge of fulfilling the prophecy, of being
the next big thing, the band called it quits. The
Sway played their last ever show at a live event
for BBC radio, in Birmingham City Centre and
disappeared without statement.
Going Blind Video - 1995
