Artist description The Swindles played their first gig at Tacoland in early ‘ 97.It became clear early on that therewas a certain chemistry between the four bandmembers - probably tequila. Despite (or maybebecause of) countless, unpaid, beer-drenchedshows throughout south Texas, they've managed to stay together and actually capture that chemistry in the studio once or twice. Almost as soon as the Swindles hooked up, they started working on recording. Their first effort was a live recording on New Year's Day, 1998 at KSYM studios, San Antonio's "only alternative" radio station. It's live, loud, and sounds exactly like what it is: The Swindles on the morning after New Years Eve. The second is a 13-song Texas turbo-rocking monster-disc aptly titled "Drunk For Your Amusement."These boys have pulled together the influences of Buddy Holly, Don Pedrito, Bobby Fuller, Little Richard, Doug Sahm… You get the idea!

Music Style Texas Rock & Roll

Musical Influences Buddy Holly, Steve Earl, Don Pedrito, Bobby Fuller, Bongo Joe, Little Richard, Doug Sahm, Hank Williams, Replacements

Similar Artists Buddy Holly, Don Pedrito, Bobby Fuller, Little Richard, Doug Sahm

Artist History See Descritption...

Group Members The Swindles' lineup consists of Sal Guajardo ondrums, Bart Nichols on bass, Joe Reyes on guitar, Dave Wasson on guitar, and Mitchell Justice Webb on vocals and guitar. Each of The Swindles hails from San Antonio and brings his distinctive background and sound to the band. Sal has been playing drums all his life and is one of San Antonio’s best kept musical secrets. Straight from the Bun E. Carlos school of skin pounding, Sal can play all night and still drink anyone under the table. We have never known him to have a real job and he is the closest thing to a gypsy we have ever seen. Do not loan him money. Bart has been in bands since he was a kid and hasplayed with another group of local hooligans knownas Los #2 Dinners for years. The doctor of thedeep end has got that heavy 60's groove thang thatjust makes you move your ass. We've determined hisconstant smile has something to do with the flaskthat's always within his reach. Loan him money,he will pay you back with interest, or at leastan interesting story. Joe Reyes is a straight up San Antonio purebredbrother. He is the cat that can do it all. Notonly a ladies man, Joe worked on the last FlacoJimenez recording and has played on an endlessnumber of cuts that have come out of Alamo town.He's also in that fancy flamenco (not flamingo)group known as Lara and Reyes. If Joe had thingshis way, he'd sleep all day everyday and get paidfor it. Loan him money and you will eventually getit back in the form of meals and shots. Dave quit playing music outside his house yearsago because of all the crap bands he had to dealwith. Mitch lied and promised him the moon if hewould just come out and play 1 gig. We keep expectinghim to quit and hope he never does. In short,he's one subtle bad-ass son of a gun. Loan himmoney and he will say you owed it to him anyway. Mitch holds the fort together for The Swindles.With the lightning speed reflexes of a WWII fighterpilot and a liver that's left him several ransomnotes, Mitch is always prepared for a night ofaction. He sings like a bird and collapses likea corpse. Catch him while you can. Loan him moneyand he won't remember and neither will you.(His famous stock response is "Well, I'd ratherowe it to you than cheat you out of it."

Instruments Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Drums, Vocals

Albums "Live New Year's Day", 1998 at KSYM, "Drunk For Your Amusement."

Press Reviews "A band that eagerly keeps alive the Texas rock'n'roll traditions..." "...Texas turbo garage rock for the '90's" "The Swindles are set with San Antonio-bred, San Antonio-based, rave-up rock'n'roll that features a big guitar sound..." "...catch the quintessential SA rock'n'rollers..." "The Swindles can make records that capture the energy, and the immediacy of a live show." - Jim Beal Jr., San Antonio Express News"The Swindles are the soundtrack to a sweaty night in July, when the beer is cheap and the dance floor is packed.  From hard-driving-rave-ups to hold-her-tight-ballads, the Swindles are truly the ultimate Texas rock band." - John Santos, San Antonio Current"Imagine Buddy Holly after taking guitar lessons from Keith Richards. The most alt-country sounding track 'Roundrock' has some splendid guitar hooks, and I wouldn't be surprized if it was getting local radio airplay.  Also, the driving beat in'22 22' makes it another standout. Good rowdie fun." - John Brandon, Alt-Country Down Home Page" I don't come across many San Antonio musicians, in fact, The Swindles may well be the first. On the strength of Drunk For Your Amusement, I'm going to suggest that we start up another'zine just for San Antonio bands!  This is a blast!!  From the moment the first cut, H.E.B. kicks in, I'm in rock & roll, greased-up, garageland nirvana.  How's this for an opening couplet: "I made a pledge to be drug free, the day I started at H.E.B.  The work is hard and the days are long,I just wish I could grab my bong".  If that doesn't set the tone, I dunno what will.  Vocalist and sometime guitarist, Mitchell Webb supplies the band's original material (8 outa 13) with a few well chosen covers chucked in.  Of those covers, the two tracks by Fred Himes (from fellow S.A. band TheMescaleros) are really cool, though it's Webb'ssongs that really shine and I'd happily see "Black Is Black" and Roky Erikson's"You're Gonna Miss Me" replaced with a coupla more originals instead.  Oh well, a minor complaint for an album that I just can't stop playing.  I'm gonna recommend this to everyone I meet who professes an intrest in Texas music and if you ever wondered what the True Believers would have sounded like if they'd really loosened up, then I'm recommendin' it to you, too." ROB FORBES, Luke 'zine London 5/28/99 From Rooted Magazine Drunk For Your Amusement,The Swindles 5/99 Led by fearless singer/songwriter Mitch Webb,the Swindles have strong-armed attention awayfrom San Antonio’s reigning kings of roots rock,Two Tons of Steel. The band’s second LP, Drunk For Your Amusement is armed with crunchy Telecaster twang, and plenty of attitude. Now before you start thinking you’ve found just another hollerin’ Texan rockabilly-concoction,think again Mister and Miss Pompadour!The Swindles blend alternative country, 60s garage rock and a touch of blues into a winning formula.   Drunk For Your Amusement begins with the Swindles’ working man anthem “H.E.B.” On the microphone, Webb rails against hourly wage slavery versus the rock and roll lifestyle.“The work is hard and the days are long/ I just wish I could grab my bong/ I’m getting fatter everyday/ Got to push these dreams out of the way/ God what has become of me/I’m livin’ in misery.” The song itself has an infectious quality that stands out (primarily because theSwindles are not content on being another rootsrock band).   The next track, “Roundrock,” also builds on that notion. On “Carry On,” guitarist Joe Reyes twists and burns the rhythm while backing up Webb’s snarling lead vocals. “Carry On” isanother radio-friendly gem on the LP that truly showcases the band’s tight arrangement and songwriting.   The biggest surprise on Drunk For Your Amusement is the inclusion of the Los Bravos’ hit “Black Is Black.” The tune is a standard in the Swindles live show and now carries over on to disc perfectly. “Black Is Black” is proof of the resurgence of 60's garage rock in San Antonio’s rock scene (especially with renewed interest in bandslike ? and the Mysterians, the Sir Douglas Quintet and others among local bands like the Shakewells, Howlin’ Devils, and the Mescaleros).Other potent rockers on the album are “22 22,”“My Mama’s Jaguar,”  “All Over the World” (the last song was co-written by prominent local artist/designer H. Michael Karshis, who also designed the album’s “Ode to Tacoland” motif.)   Roots rock, country rock, or trash twang...take your pick of labels. The conclusion is the same, this is full-frontal rock. I recommend seeing the band live. Whereas the CD was polished in post production, the Swindles rockout hard live – warts and all. Onstage, Webb gyrates and breathlessly growls while wild guitars merge with a solid rhythm section.It ain’t pretty, but it works. For anyone who believes the notion that rock and roll is in decline, I invite that person to listen to this disc. BRIAN PARRISH, Rooted Magazine 5/99

Additional Info Tequila and Beer are good for you!

Location San Antonio, Texas - USA

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