Swell Maps
 

Vastly underrated and overlooked post-punk band.

Jane from Occupied Europe is a great album, so get it if you find it.

I like them. They remind me of Wire but not quite at the same standard. I only have ...In Jane From Occupied Europe however.

bump just because...

One reply for a thread dedicated to such an excellent band is a shame. I'm gonna listen to both their albums soon, maybe tonight since I have no money to out. I haven't listened to them for a little while, so I'm going to grace this thread with fresh opinions as soon as I'm done. At the moment I'll leave it at...Swell Maps rule!

Jane From Occupied Europe epitomises the DIY sound... i love it. it's just a couple of Manc teenagers recording, pressing and distributing on their own.
Nowadays they would just post them up on myspace and leave the music to drown...

If you haven't, cardboard adolescent, for Allah's sake read 'Rip It Up and Start Again: Post Punk 1978-1984' by Simon Reynolds, it came out in '06 and is a the definitive (and only) book on the subject

it has a whole chapter on Swell Maps and the indie label movement (Rough Trade etc)

Swell Maps - reality
 

Actually Swell Maps were not from Manchester, they were from the Birmingham suburb of Solihull. Both founder members (and brothers) Epic Soundtracks and Nikki Sudden are now unfortunately deceased.
The Two SM albums are really quite special.

this is what electricity was invented for

LET'S BUILD A CAR (1979)


their first album 'A Trip to Marineville' is also a great experimental/punk record. I guess you could stick the lo-fi tag on them aswell as they self-recorded everything.

Could someone possibly hit me up with this album? I am referring to Jane from Occupied Europe.

Wow, this is a sad thread to see. The Swell Maps were a great band, though I've only ever heard 'A Trip To Marineville.' Why are there only 7 posts??? I know some other people on here have to have an opinion. I'll be on the hunt for 'Jane From Occupied Europe' now. Is it a rare album? Or might I be able to find it at a used record store?

Jane From Occupied Europe is quite simply a classic and every time I hear it, I am blown away. So many bands around at this time releasing only one or two albums that sum up the ethos brilliantly.

I'm seeing them everywhere, I guess it's a sign that I have to check them out.

Can I possibly have Jane From Occupied Europe from someone? Thanks!

^Same

Let me see what i can do for you both :D

Just came across The Swell Maps by way of The Fall. Sounds like some interesting stuff. I noticed they also got a mention in the post-punk week thread but I missed it there.

I can't believe there aren't more posts about this band! I notice much talk of Jane but be sure not to overlook their debut, 'A Trip to Marineville', that's a great one too!

I love Swell Maps, they were way ahead of their time IMO. I remember falling asleep once with the music still playing and waking up in the middle of the night to hear Cake Shop. Something about that struck a chord in me, it's actually a really sweet song, almost pretty even.