Johnny Dalrymple - Swingin' Utters (28/03/2013)
Set to hit the stage with Dropkick Murphys and Frank Turner, we had a chat with Johnny Dalrymple of Swingin’ Utters.
Hi Johnny, thanks for chatting with The 59th Sound today. Firstly, what are some of the changes you’ve noticed in the industry since you first started?
The changes I've noticed is the amount of bands trying to survive has increased and they are quickly finding out how difficult it is. I think if you go into it knowing that you won't make a living off music, you're gold!
You’ve probably had this question a fair bit, but how did the name, Swingin’ Utters, come about?
Swingin' Utters was a name that we've been cursed with from the start. We we're a cover band in 1988 and didn't really take our name too seriously. My friend had a nursing cat he called Swingin' Ud. I got drunk, peed my pants and bought some food with piss-drenched bills. The combined first name we came up with was Johnny Peebucks and the Swingin' Utters. Oh yeah, I misspelled udders. We, eventually shortened the name because adverts were fuckin’ up the spelling for our shows. It was amazing how wrong they got our name, they didn't even try sometimes. Now that time has passed, we might go back to our extended name.
Seeing as it’s your first ever trip to Australia, do you have anything special planned while you’re down here?
I want to experience a lot of things, but we're only in Australia for four shows. Not a whole lot of time. This is just incredible that we're finally able to do this and we owe it all to Dropkick Murphys. No matter what we end up doing, I will stay positive and be extremely happy.
So you’re been back together for a little while after a long hiatus, are you here to stay?
Yes, we're in a great place right now and I want to keep it going. I continue to write and I can't wait for recording a new record.
Each of your albums has been completely different from the last, what have you got planned for the next one?
I feel it will be different because we're constantly listening to different music to inspire us. whatever each band member has playing through their headphones will be injected into new material. That's the beauty of music, an endless catalog of inspiration! I would like to play more Reggae-influenced music.
There’s been a bit of a change around for the band lately, with the new bassist Miles Peck and Jack’s introduction to song writing. Do you think these changes have altered your sound at all?
Of course it has. New people, new personalities, new songs! Jack has been writing songs for a long time, but with Swingin' Utters he sent me music and left it up to me to write lyrics and melody. It's something he never did in the past. The trust is strengthened each song we write. I think it can only get better because Miles is now sending me music to write to. The more we re-enforce this creative process the better it will become. We know how to communicate without insulting. It's the way it always should be.
What do you think of the punk rock bands in the industry now?
I must admit that I just don't get out much. It's tough to do when I have a family that I want to hang with. Parquet Courts are unique. I like King Khan and the BBQ show. The Spits! Sorry any new bands that I would like if I heard them but never have.
Was it hard coming back into the industry after such a long hiatus and all the industry changes?
It has always been difficult, so we knew what we had to do. It seems to be the same industry with fucked people and a minority of cool people. Whatever, we're lucky to be able to travel and play our music to people from different parts of the world.
Is it harder this time around, balancing your family and jobs with your music?
Like I said, it has always been difficult, but now we're older and wiser and know how to deal with shit. The hardest part is leaving on tour while my loving, supportive family hold down the fort. I miss them!
Your album, Poorly Formed, which was launched last month, has an interesting title. Where did the idea come from for the name?
Jack sent me music for me to write to and one of them was titled Poorly Formed. It reminds me of science-fiction movies, but it also sums up the world in a couple of words.
What can we expect to see the Swingin’ Utters get up to in 2013?
Expect us to tour, write, create and love. Thank you for the interview!
Amanda Sherring
Dropkick Murphys, Frank Turner, Swingin' Utters Tour
Sun 31st March Panthers Newcastle Lic AA
www.moshtix.com.au 1300 GET TIX
With Casino Rumblers
Mon 1st April Big Top Luna Park Sydney Lic AA
www.oztix.com.au 1300 843 443, www.ticketek.com.au 132 849, www.bigtopsydney.com.au
With The Corps
Tue 2nd April Festival Hall Melbourne Lic AA
www.ticketmaster.com.au 136 100
With Marching Orders
Wed 3rd April Thebarton Adelaide Lic AA
www.venuetix.com.au 08 8225 8888
With The Hard Aches
Hi Johnny, thanks for chatting with The 59th Sound today. Firstly, what are some of the changes you’ve noticed in the industry since you first started?
The changes I've noticed is the amount of bands trying to survive has increased and they are quickly finding out how difficult it is. I think if you go into it knowing that you won't make a living off music, you're gold!
You’ve probably had this question a fair bit, but how did the name, Swingin’ Utters, come about?
Swingin' Utters was a name that we've been cursed with from the start. We we're a cover band in 1988 and didn't really take our name too seriously. My friend had a nursing cat he called Swingin' Ud. I got drunk, peed my pants and bought some food with piss-drenched bills. The combined first name we came up with was Johnny Peebucks and the Swingin' Utters. Oh yeah, I misspelled udders. We, eventually shortened the name because adverts were fuckin’ up the spelling for our shows. It was amazing how wrong they got our name, they didn't even try sometimes. Now that time has passed, we might go back to our extended name.
Seeing as it’s your first ever trip to Australia, do you have anything special planned while you’re down here?
I want to experience a lot of things, but we're only in Australia for four shows. Not a whole lot of time. This is just incredible that we're finally able to do this and we owe it all to Dropkick Murphys. No matter what we end up doing, I will stay positive and be extremely happy.
So you’re been back together for a little while after a long hiatus, are you here to stay?
Yes, we're in a great place right now and I want to keep it going. I continue to write and I can't wait for recording a new record.
Each of your albums has been completely different from the last, what have you got planned for the next one?
I feel it will be different because we're constantly listening to different music to inspire us. whatever each band member has playing through their headphones will be injected into new material. That's the beauty of music, an endless catalog of inspiration! I would like to play more Reggae-influenced music.
There’s been a bit of a change around for the band lately, with the new bassist Miles Peck and Jack’s introduction to song writing. Do you think these changes have altered your sound at all?
Of course it has. New people, new personalities, new songs! Jack has been writing songs for a long time, but with Swingin' Utters he sent me music and left it up to me to write lyrics and melody. It's something he never did in the past. The trust is strengthened each song we write. I think it can only get better because Miles is now sending me music to write to. The more we re-enforce this creative process the better it will become. We know how to communicate without insulting. It's the way it always should be.
What do you think of the punk rock bands in the industry now?
I must admit that I just don't get out much. It's tough to do when I have a family that I want to hang with. Parquet Courts are unique. I like King Khan and the BBQ show. The Spits! Sorry any new bands that I would like if I heard them but never have.
Was it hard coming back into the industry after such a long hiatus and all the industry changes?
It has always been difficult, so we knew what we had to do. It seems to be the same industry with fucked people and a minority of cool people. Whatever, we're lucky to be able to travel and play our music to people from different parts of the world.
Is it harder this time around, balancing your family and jobs with your music?
Like I said, it has always been difficult, but now we're older and wiser and know how to deal with shit. The hardest part is leaving on tour while my loving, supportive family hold down the fort. I miss them!
Your album, Poorly Formed, which was launched last month, has an interesting title. Where did the idea come from for the name?
Jack sent me music for me to write to and one of them was titled Poorly Formed. It reminds me of science-fiction movies, but it also sums up the world in a couple of words.
What can we expect to see the Swingin’ Utters get up to in 2013?
Expect us to tour, write, create and love. Thank you for the interview!
Amanda Sherring
Dropkick Murphys, Frank Turner, Swingin' Utters Tour
Sun 31st March Panthers Newcastle Lic AA
www.moshtix.com.au 1300 GET TIX
With Casino Rumblers
Mon 1st April Big Top Luna Park Sydney Lic AA
www.oztix.com.au 1300 843 443, www.ticketek.com.au 132 849, www.bigtopsydney.com.au
With The Corps
Tue 2nd April Festival Hall Melbourne Lic AA
www.ticketmaster.com.au 136 100
With Marching Orders
Wed 3rd April Thebarton Adelaide Lic AA
www.venuetix.com.au 08 8225 8888
With The Hard Aches