Swill and the Swagger Band Biography

Swill Odgers, front man for The Men They Couldn't Hang explains why he embarked on this solo project:

Why did I decide to do some 'solo' stuff? Well, let's go back in time a little. 2004 was a landmark year for The Men They Couldn't Hang's. It was our 20th anniversary. In those two decades 10 albums (including one live and two compilations) had been released. Countless gigs had been performed. This whole process also provided the added benefits of travelling to places, and meeting people, that we would never have seen if it hadn't been for the band. Being in TMTCH covers a wide range of emotions and experiences. We are close like a family and we always like to make the most of what we find. As a reviewer of a gig we played as part of the International Guitar Festival of Great Britain (The Wirral, 2004) aptly puts it "TMTCH are not so much of a band, as a way of life, having created a deep influential path for which its band members, former players and fans can follow. They are an exceptional group of musicians, an exceptional band, with an exceptional attitude towards music - exceptional!"

All well and good so far but it still doesn't answer the question 'why did I decide to do the solo stuff' does it?

Well, I love TMTCH and long may we continue. We're all still mates and the core of the band is the same as it was on that 1984 Easter Monday at The Alternative Country Festival in Camden. It's strange to look back at the line up from that day where, for just £4 you could see a bill the included: Poguemahone, Boothill Foot Tappers, Hackney Five-O Cut Loose, The Blubbery Hellbellies and the svelte, fresh-faced and recently formed The Men They Couldn't Hang.

This was the birth of a significant music scene that would send ripples round the world. However, for various and complex reasons, the only band that has survived intact has been TMTCH.

Swill OdgersTo say that it playing in a band like TMTCH is an emotional experience would be a massive understatement. On a long tour, privacy is a luxury, nights are long and the back of the tour bus smells like a yak's arse on a bad day.

When it comes to the music, everyone in the band has his own variations on a theme. There is common ground, of course, but we all have our own particular favourites. It makes for a great melting pot when it comes to songwriting and recording and, in my opinion, this is what gives TMTCH such a unique flavour.

Although highly productive, this method of working inevitably means that certain songs get overlooked because they just don't sit right with everyone involved. This was one of the main reasons that I wanted to record something that I had complete control over. I didn't want to get distracted by the technology of a big studio, or a producer with a ponytail. For better or for worse I wanted to be responsible for the end sound and I wanted the end sound to be simple and lively. Also, to be honest, I couldn't really afford a big studio, or a producer. Ponytail or no ponytail.