Swingin' Utters Peace and Love

Swingin' Utters releasing new LP 'Peace and Love' (stream "Human Potential")

Cali punk vets Swingin’ Utters reunited back in 2010 and then quickly got very prolific again, releasing three albums in four years, the latest being 2014’s Fistful of Hollow. They took some time away from the studio after that, but now they’re back with their first album in four years, Peace and Love, which comes out August 31 via Fat Wreck Chords (pre-orders will be available at this link). They recorded the album with Chris Dugan (who’s worked frequently with Green Day since American Idiot), and guitarist/vocalist Darius Koski says the album is “by far our absolutely most political record we’ve ever done. We don’t generally write very pointedly political songs. We tend to be a little more vague and abstract. But this one is pretty pointedly disgusted and pissed off and really directly attacking these fuckin’ people in office.” Singer Johnny Bonnel also added, “When sexism, racism and nationalism is the agenda, it’s time to speak up.”

It’s also their first album with their new rhythm section of Tony Teixeira (bass) on bass and Luke Ray (drums), both of whom were also in the band Cobra Skulls, who contributed to the 2010 Swingin’ Utters tribute album (which also features Utters covers by Fucked Up, Dropkick Murphys, and more).

We’re premiering the album’s lead single, “Human Potential,” where you can definitely hear some of those political lyrics coming through. And while Swingin’ Utters have been compared to classic British punk many times throughout their career, this is one of their most direct homages to that sound. It’s melodic, anthemic, and sees the band downstrumming away at a tried-and-true rock ‘n’ roll chord progression. It’s great stuff, as you can hear for yourself below.

Johnny also told us this, about the album and its artwork: “The album art was inspired by Luke and Tony. The recording process was so rad! There was no negative attitude and we were all kind of giddy with nervous energy. Around the corner from the Nu-Tone studios was a Mexican market that Tony and Luke bought two ceramic gorillas eating bananas with smiles on their faces. I thought it summed up everything about this record so I got to work on drawing these two buds. I believe the ceramic gorillas’ new home is at Nu-Tone! I, also, believe you can hear the love put into this album and it just makes me more excited to record more!”

The Utters are also hitting the road for a West Coast tour in August and September, and those dates are listed below.

Tracklist
Undertaker, Undertake
Sirens
Louise and Her Spider
E.C.T.
Dubstep
Constant Companion
Deranged
Demons of Springtime
Human Potential
Seeds of Satisfaction
Yes I Hope He Dies
Sleeping
Imitation of Silence
Drinkist
H.L.S.

Swingin’ Utters — 2018 Tour Dates
08/23/18 Morro Bay, CA at The Siren
08/24/18 Long Beach, CA at Alex’s Bar
08/25/18 San Diego, CA at Casbah
08/26/18 Las Vegas, NV at Dive Bar
08/28/18 Tempe, AZ at Yucca Tap Room
08/30/18 Albuquerque, NM at Launchpad
08/31/18 Colorado Springs, CO at The Black Sheep
09/01/18 Denver, CO at Streets of London
09/02/18 Salt Lake City, UT at Urban Lounge
09/04/18 Reno, NV at Shea’s Tavern
09/05/18 Sacramento, CA at Harlow’s
09/06/18 Albany, CA at Ivy Room
09/07/18 San Jose, CA at The Ritz
09/08/18 Redding, CA at The Dip

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