Steve Swindells. More Good Stuff.

From The Invisible Man, Disc 1 of The Lost Albums, which were recorded in 1980, but digitally remastered and released on Flicknife Records (http://www.flickniferecords.co.uk) in 2012.

Words and music by Steve G Swindells (c) Copyright Control.  All rights reserved.

Metro-gnome

This is a way too fast version of my song, with me singing. It was, as a result, a bit of a nightmare for me, especially when Dave Brock 'broke a string' and had to leave the stage, therefore not being able to do the high octaves and harmonies, as we'd rehearsed. Strangely enough, it was also the very first time that I'd ever sung lead vocals to a live audience - in this case 4.5K people! 

That's Alan Davey on bass (not difficult to tell) and Huw Lloyd Langton on lead guitar, perhaps Jerry Richards on rhythm guitar. Who played the weird tambourine  - why didn't he just play on the offbeat instead of shaking it around in a meaningless fashion?  The harmonies were by Ron Tree, in the absence of Dave Brock.  The keyboards are way too low in this monitor mix. But the multitrack recordings are safe.  One day...

Words and music by Steve Swindells © Warner Chappell Music.

Shot Down In The Night.  Hawkestra. Brixton Academy. 2000.

Silicon Valley Of The Dolls

We are crawling to the light on broken glass -
where the future somehow turned into the past.
We could be digging ourselves holes, so very fast,
Is this the birth of an emerging underclass?

There will be witchcraft - and full-on wizardry.
Welcome to The Parallel University.

Into the silicon valley of the dolls,
Where masters can be slaves, or so I'm told.
It's the Silicon valley of the dolls,
where they cleanse all the graffiti from your soul.

Give me all your chemistry and teach me how to use it,
I need to lose the smoking bomb, so how can I defuse it?

In squeaky-clean distopian dreams of marble shopping malls,
the dispossessed behind grey bricks, inside the castle  walls.
The government mobsters suck them dry with mystic pizza pi.
And the geeks inherit nothing much – they just get fried before the fall.

There will be witchcraft - and full-on wizardry.
Welcome to The Parallel University.
In to the silicon valley of the dolls,
Where masters can be slaves, or so I'm told.
It's the silicon valley of the dolls.
where they cleanse all the graffiti from your soul.

Silicon valley, silicon valley of the dolls.
Silicon valley, silicon valley of the dolls.


Steve Swindells © All rights reserved.

Bass and guitars:  Ralf Lenz.
Keyboards, vocals, programming, production and mixing: Steve Swindells.

Featured on Steve's new download album 'The Hanging Baskets Of Babylon': https://steveswindells.bandcamp.com/album/the-hanging-baskets-of-babylon

Photograph © Steve Swindells

Silicon Valley Of The Dolls by Steve Swindells (2nd Mix)

Yet another collaboration - we are ROCKING!

This demo mix is based only on international MP3s winging their way across the stratosphere from Niagra Falls to darkest Harlesden in London and back..  The real, full audio-quality mix will be coming soon.  Meanwhile, enjoy the audio taster...

The finished track is available to download and/or stream here: https://steveswindells.bandcamp.com/track/out-of-oblivion

Out Of Oblivion.

Don't go back to medieval… to stone the crows and hang all the queers.
Don't go back to somewhere evil, to force us into fundamental fear.

So let's go figure, where the river disappeared, something bigger
than the wisdom lost throughout the years.

So let's endeavour, to be never pushed aside, we'll be forever
on a winding road to ride… out of oblivion.

Don't go back, let's turn around, Don't go back, let's turn around.

So let's endeavour, to be never pushed aside, we'll be forever
on a winding road to ride... out of oblivion.

Let's turn 'round to face our masters…and show them what is true and what is real.
Let's turn 'round from past disasters and take control from those who wheel and deal.

So let's go figure, where the river disappeared, something bigger
than all the wisdom lost throughout the years.

So let's endeavour, to be never pushed aside, we'll be forever
on a winding road to ride… out of oblivion.

Don't go back, let's turn around, Don't go back, let's turn around .

Lenz/Swindells ©. Copyright Control. All rights reserved.

'Out Of Oblivion' by Steve Swindells, feat Ralf Lenz, 1st demo.

This is by DanMingo, my little super group of The Noughties - which features Jon (Culture Club)Moss on Drums, Winston (Massive Attack) Blissett on bass and Jerry (Hawklords) Richards on guitar, with yours truly on keyboards & vocals.

Produced by Steve Swindells and Alf Hardy at the (sadly) now defunct Cabin Studio in Coventry.

You can download many DanMingo and Steve Swindells tracks for free by becoming a fan @ http://www.reverbnation.com/steveswindells

I really think this would be ideal for Leona Lewis. Mariah Carey or Jennifer Hudson to cover as well. It's BIG!

Produced by Steve Swindells & Alf Hardy at Cabin Studios (RIP) in Coventry in 2003.
Words And Music by Steve G Swindells(c) All rights reserved.

Artwork by Steve Swindells ©

Oh - and as for Music X-ray - how fucking dare you invade my space you slime-ball vultures!

I Don't Believe (by DanMingo)

This is a Steve Swindells Rancho Deluxe production. Harley Nixon (formerly known as Chris Kelly) is a very talented singer-songwriter from NW London.  He was 22 and N-Won (who is the featured rapper) was 26 when this was recorded. N-won is now a personal trainer (recently for an Arab Royal Family) and won the UK Young Poet Of The Year Award when he was just 17.

All programming, instruments and production by Steve Swindells. 

Words And Music by Chris Kelly and Steve Swindells (c) Copyright Control.

'Free' By Steve Swindells. Feat Harley Nixon and N-Won

Ge is a very gifted - and gorgeous - Anglo-Egyptian young lady from NW London. We've done three tracks together, and they're all great.  I'd love to do more work with her. She's a total natural as a songwriter (we wrote it together) and has a fantastic voice.  This one is crying-out to be a hit - especially if its covered by Rihanna! I can so hear her tearing this song up. 

Not All Girls Are The Same

This time… baby put your trust in me… baby put your trust in me… this time…

Since I saw you, just the other night, I can't stop thinking' 'bout you, I can't get you off my mind.
Want you to know I aint playing no games, I wanna prove to you that not all girls are the same.

But we fight and argue all the time, but you're my baby, I aint never gonna let you go.
So this time - baby can we work it out?

Since I saw you, just the other night, I can't stop thinking' 'bout you, I can't get you off my mind.
Want you to know I aint playing no games, I wanna prove to you that not all girls are the same.

Baby talk to me - I aint blind to see that there's somethin' on your mind, something' that you're trying to hide.  
But it's obvious that there is no trust, when you're the only one for me, you're the only man that I need.

Please don't stereotype me, them girls aint like me, no, baby put your trust in me, aint no other place I'd rather be.
If you'd give me the chance I'll do that I can, I can…

I aint blind to see that there's somethin' on your mind, something' that you're trying to hide.  
Cos' it's obvious that there is no trust, when you're the only one for me, you're the only man that I need.

Please don't stereotype me, them girls aint like me, no, baby put your trust in me, aint no other place I'd rather be.
If you'd give me the chance I'll do all that I can, I can…

Not all girls are the same.  Not all girls are the same.

Baby talk to me, I aint blind to see that there's somethin' on your mind, something' that you're trying to hide.  
'Cos it's obvious that there is no trust, when you're the only one for me, you're the only man that I need.

Please don't stereotype me, them girls aint like me, no, baby put your trust in me, aint no other place I'd rather be.
If you'd give me the chance I'll do all that I can, I can, I can…


Not all girls are the same.  Not all girls are the same. Not all girls are the same, are the same, are the same…

Baby talk to me, I aint blind to see that there's somethin' on your mind, something' that you're trying to hide.  
'Cos it's obvious that there is no trust, when you're the only one for me, you're the only man that I need.

Want you to know I aint playing no games, I wanna prove to you that not all girls are the same.
But we fight and argue all the time...

Baby talk to me - I aint blind to see that there's somethin' on your mind, something' that you're trying to hide.  
But it's obvious that there is no trust, when you're the only one for me, you're the only man that I need.

Please don't stereotype me, them girls aint like me, no, baby put your trust in me, aint no other place I'd rather be.
If you'd give me the chance I'll do that I can, I can, I can…

I want you to know, that you're my baby I aint never gonna let you go,
so this time, baby can we work it out?

I want you to know, that you're my baby I aint never gonna let you go,
so this time, baby can we work it out? Can we work it out?

Not all girls are the same.  Not all girls are the same. Not all girls are the same, are the same, are the same…

Words and music by Saleh/Swindells (c)

This is now on Spotify and all streaming platforms. https://open.spotify.com/album/0y2hIQ1hPohJEAZcQSWGmH?si=PGz2SMJ9SuydHZTu3iOOAw

Not All The Girls Are The Same. By Steve Swindells. feat Ge.

This is a taste of the forthcoming vinyl and CD release of The Barney Bubbles Memorial Benefit Concert which took place in November 2009 at the 229 Club in London.

The limited-edition vinyl version (with two exclusive bonus tracks) is being pressed as I write and will feature stunning artwork by Bob Walker, a three-way gatefold sleeve, sleeve notes by Nik Turner, masses of photos and an amazing poster free with the first 500. A must-have collectors' item.  Check http://www.blackwidow.it for more details.

Join the emailing list at http://www.reverbnation.com/hawklords for exclusive, free downloads and news of gigs, releases, photos, videos and much more.

The DVD of the concert is available to buy direct from the band at hawklords@hotmail.com (also the Paypal address) for £19.99 plus P&P.

A preview of the DVD can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xASkMp0u3AI&feature=channel_video_title

Look-out for Alan Davey's Gunslinger's new CD ‘Unlawfull Odds’ (Flicknife SHARPCD11050) out on the 6th June 2011. There's also news of my upcoming Lost Albums and a new Hawkwind Friends And Relations CD here: http://www.flicknife.n.nu/new

'Opa Loka' by The Hawklords - Live

This is from my ambient/chill-out online album Bam Boo - which features images that I finger-painted on my iPhone to match each track.  These, in turn, are available as T-shirts and limited-edition prints on the website. All the tracks are available to download, but if you click 'become fan' or join the mailing list, you get some free downloads. Go and help yourself!

http://www.reverbnation.com/steveswindellsbamboo

Perfect for TV and films!  I own all the rights.

Music by Steve G Swindells (c) Copyright Control.

Chrystal Mesh (Lunar Eclipse Mix)

From Bam Boo, my instrumental, improvised, ambient electronic album which you can download on http://www.reverbnation.com/steveswindellsbamboo

'229  Signs' by Steve Swindells

Ten years ago, my younger brother Frank came round to my loft/studio in New Crescent Yard (London NW10) with his eight year-old son Cassian and we recorded a cool jam in my studio, with Cass free-styling a rap.

I programmed the drums and played the bass (on the keyboard) and keyboards.  Frank played rhythm and lead guitars and violin.

Great playing Frank!

Just recently, we re-discovered the track and asked Cass if he’d agree to let me put it out.  He felt no, as he was so young at the time.

So I just kept some cool Cass/Frank/Steve vocal samples and realised that the track was a perfect fit for my new song ‘I’m A Refugee’. 

This song was inspired when Zaza, a young gay refugee in Kakuma camp, Kenya, got in touch with me via Instagram, to ask if I could help them (see pic). 

I agreed and also pledged to help make the world aware of their plight. 

This song is my first way towards doing that.  Please share.

I'll be adding details of their crowdfunding page as well.

Here's the link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/kakuma-refugee-camp-pride-2023-celebration?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cp_guide_do&member=27304217

Vocals recorded at Cave Studio Bath Nov 24 2023. Engineered and mixed by Vonj.
                       
I'm A Refugee.

I'm a refugee, and I ask you please,
to look out for me and all the hate that I flee.

I'm in no-man's land, can you take my hand,
can you lead me into safety and my dream reality?

My family all disowned me, I was up against the wall,
with nowhere to call home, I was up against it all.

I'm a refugee, and I’m LGBT,
So look out for me and all the hate that I flee.

I am caught-up in this cauldron of misery and strife,
and all I ask for is tasks - that will help me to rebuild my life.

I'm not begging, level pegging is my wish in everything.
Though I stumble, I am humble 'til I find my angel wings.

You could bring me home to paradise where everything is love, 
where all the hate in the world is sacrificed to a higher force above.

To love. To joy, every boy  and every girl, 
I'm a refugee - I will be free to rebuild my world.

Rejoice! We have a voice! We are fighting our own corner
against ignorance and greed.

I will be free.  No more a refugee. I will be free.  No more a refugee.
I will be free.  No more a refugee. I will be free.  No more a refugee.



Copyright Steve Swindells 1.1.23. All rights reserved
 




Words by Steve Swindells.

Music by Steve Swindells, Frank Swindells and Cassian Swindells.

I'm A  Refugee

Ten years ago, my younger brother Frank came round to my loft/studio in New Crescent Yard (London NW10) with his eight year-old son Cassian and we recorded a cool jam in my studio, with Cass free-styling a rap.

I programmed the drums and played the bass (on the keyboard) and keyboards. Frank played rhythm and lead guitars and violin.

Great playing Frank!

Just recently, we re-discovered the track and asked Cass if he’d agree to let me put it out. He felt no, as he was so young at the time.

So I just kept some cool Cass/Frank/Steve vocal samples and realised that the track was a perfect fit for my new song ‘I’m A Refugee’.

This song was inspired when Zaza, a young gay refugee in Kakuma camp, Kenya, got in touch with me via Instagram, to ask if I could help them.

I agreed and also pledged to help make the world aware of their plight.

This song is my first way towards doing that. Please share.

They've now escaped the rampant homophobia of Kakuma and reached the relative safety (although that remains to be seen)of the Gorom Resettlement Camp in South Sudan. 

Watch this space for a link to donate. 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/kakuma-refugee-camp-pride-2023-celebration?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cp_guide_do&member=27304217

They are desperate. Or just DM me for a private Paypal address which will get straight to them.



My vocals recorded at Cave Studio Bath Nov 24 2023. Engineered and mixed by Vonj.

Produced by Vonj and Steve Swindells

I'm A Refugee.

I'm a refugee, and I ask you please,
to look out for me and all the hate that I flee.

I'm in no-man's land, can you take my hand,
can you lead me into safety and my dream reality?

My family all disowned me, I was up against the wall,
with nowhere to call home, I was up against it all.

I'm a refugee, and I’m LGBT,
So look out for me and all the hate that I flee.

I am caught-up in this cauldron of misery and strife,
and all I ask for is tasks - that will help me to rebuild my life.

I'm not begging, level pegging is my wish in everything.
Though I stumble, I am humble 'til I find my angel wings.

You could bring me home to paradise where everything is love,
where all the hate in the world is sacrificed to a higher force above.

To love. To joy, every boy and every girl,
I'm a refugee - I will be free to rebuild my world.

Rejoice! We have a voice! We are fighting our own corner
against ignorance and greed.

I will be free. No more a refugee. I will be free. No more a refugee.
I will be free. No more a refugee. I will be free. No more a refugee.

Copyright Steve Swindells. All rights reserved

This track will be released on Spotify, Amazon and all the other streaming platforms worldwide on March 8th 2024.

Words by Steve Swindells.

Music by Steve Swindells, Frank Swindells and Cassian Swindells.

I'm A Refugee. First Mix.

A brand new mix of Chrystal Mesh, from my Bam Boo instrumental, chill-out, online album, which you can download @ http://www.reverbnation.com/steveswindellsbamboo

Music by Steve Swindells © Copyright control. All rights reserved.

All instruments and production by Steve Swindells.

Recorded and re-mixed @ Rancho Deluxe Studio. London NW10.

Photo © Steve Swindells.

Chrystal Mesh 2 (Ambient Autumnal Mix)

A very poetic, melodic, soulful pop song that would suit boyband very well.

Woke Up This Morning

Carried Away

Co-written and recorded with Lady Sovereign (that's her singing  the home-made sample) in my Rancho Deluxe Studio, London NW10 in 2008.

14. My Pocket Guru (instrumental).wav

How religion has corrupted the world.  This is from my new 'Woke Up This Morning' double compilation album of home recordings from the late 80s until 2016.  I played, sang and programmed everything, apart from the guitar, which is played by Jerry Richards.  The album is available on all streaming platforms and steveswindells.bandcamp.com

The Wailing Wall

This was supposed to be on my 'Woke Up This Morning' double album (on all streaming platforms), but some gremlin got in the works. So only the instrumental made it to the final cut. 'Small Change' got duped. Embarrassing. 
Actually, it's coming out on Jan 3rd on Spotify and all streaming platforms as a single.  Boom!

Otherwise, you'll find it on the definitive version of 'Woke Up This Morning' on steveswindells.bandcamp.com

My Pocket Guru

Created in my home studio in the noughties. All noises by Steve Swindells.

Also here - complete with lyrics, credits and shit!

https://steveswindells.bandcamp.com/track/spinnin-around

Spinnin' Around

Never Let That Moment Go


Never let that moment go, when you're feelin' something special.  Never let that moment go,  when you know it's something real.
 
Sometimes things will happen that were simply meant to be.   Was it something you created - or something fated... like two interwoven trees?

Right time… right place: you pushed all the right buttons…  and it's written on your face, even though it might seem sudden.

Never let that moment go, when you're feelin' something special.   Never let that moment go,  when you know it's something real.

Do you dream in colour, seeing yellow, red and blue?  Or is everything in black and white, like a chess game played by two?

Right time… right place: you pushed all the right buttons…  and it's written on your face, even though it might seem sudden.

Don't you think when things are simpler, beyond the roundabouts and swings, that deeper rhymes and reasons sometimes chime with everything?

Never let that moment go, when you're feelin' something special.   Never let that moment go,  When you know it's something real.


Words and music by Steve G Swindells © All rights reserved.

Never Let That Moment Go

Remix 2010. Recorded and produced by Steve Swindells at his Rancho Deluxe Studio. Words and music by Owens/Swindells ©

Photo of Breeze (R.I.P), door-whore Jungle,  DJ. BAD ©Steve Swindells. 

https://steveswindells.wordpress.com/2014/01/12/when-
whitneys-band-jammed-at-the-wag/

From 'Sex N' Drugs N' Sausage Rolls', Steve's #Multimedia collection of short stories, true tales, photos, artworks and original music: http://steveswindells.wordpress.com/about

'Feel So Bad' By Steve Swindells, feat Robert Owens. Steve Swindells remix 2010.

Programming, production and all instruments (apart from the guitars by Jerry Richards) by Steve Swindells.

Vocals by G. 

Sample 'voice' by N-Won.

Words and music by Carr/Saleh/Swindells © Copyright Control.

The visual is a detail of the painting The Eyes Of The World by © Steve Swindells.

'Give It To Me'  By Steve Swindells. Feat G and N-Won. 15.11.08

This is the backing track I made in my Rancho Deluxe Studio.
You can hear my full vocal version here: https://soundcloud.com/steve-swindells/b4-its-begun-by-steve

Bring on the conscious rap!

Music by Steve G Swindells © Copyright Control. 

B4 It's Begun by Steve Swindells. Backing Track.

This was co-written with Ge (pictured) and she also sings it beautifully.  Incredibly, this is the first song she'd ever co-written, and only her second time in the studio (which was Rancho Deluxe, my home studio)!

All instruments, programming and production by Steve Swindells.
Words and music by Saleh/Swindells (c) All rights reserved.

Forget About You by Steve Swindells Feat. Ge

Drum: Jon Moss. Bass: Winston Blissett. Guitar: Jerry Richards. Keyboards and vocals: Steve Swindells. 


Words and music © Steve Swindells

Produced by Alf Hardy and Steve Swindells @ Cabin Studios, Coventry in 2003.

I Don't Believe (mastered) by Steve Swindells.  From the double album DanMingo.

© Words And Music By  Steve Swindells. 


All playing, programming, male vocals and production by Steve Swindells.  Recorded in my Rancho Deluxe Studio, London NW10 in 2016.

Words and music by Steve Swindells

Photo © Steve Swindells
Bianca Kinane vocal production by Tom Wilson.
Mixed by Steve Swindells in 2017.

'Only Love Will Win' By Steve Swindells Feat. Bianca Kinane - SS Original Demo Mix

'The Raggedy Man' is one of the more quirky characters in my musical 'Wings', the songs of which I wrote and recorded in 1988/9. This is remastered from cassette, so it's a little lo-fi. I'll have to dig up the script - or at least the synopsis. However, being 1989, there was a word processor, but stuff was saved onto floppy discs (gawd knows what happened to them), so I'll have to type it all out again. Grrrr (I have a print-out somewhere)!  And finding the right image is a bit difficult, because this was based on a real character; a friend and a bit of a long-time lover/fuck buddy from the mid-eighties, whom I met on the back seat of a night bus. We started playing footsy, and the rest is, sort of, history. Bless.

Programming, production, performance, vocals, words and music © Steve Swindells.
Photo mashup © Steve Swindells

The Raggedy Man (demo - remastered).

I just managed to grab this off a cassette before it died! Phew! That's why it sounds very lo-fi, but I love this original demo of this classic song and am thrilled to have preserved it for eternity. This was a collab between me and the lovely Loretta Heywood (best known for co-writing and singing the excellent Bomb The Bass hit 'Winter In July'). Someone at the indy label where we recorded it scored *huge* brownie points by WIPING THE MASTER! Who was to blame SR? This is a soaring classic which predates Dubstep and was ahead of the game in the trip-hop stylee! I can't remember the exact year that we recorded it, but I reckon it would have been around 1990. Am I waaaay out?

All instruments, programming and production by Steve Swindells.

Vocals by Loretta Heywood.

Words and music by Heywood/Swindells.

PRS/MCPS tunecode: 022462GR

We re-recorded the song under the name Sacrosanct in 1999 and it was released on Chocolate Boy Recordings with various mixes (www.discogs.com/label/4204-Chocol…te-Boy-Recordings).

Photo of Loretta Heywood © Steve Swindells.

Hypnotised, By Sacrosanct(full length original demo from cassette). Remastered.

Another remastered (sorry about the annoying hum) low-fi offering from the cassette archives. Both Frankie and Jill were regular singers at my 'Downbeat' open-mic night (London's first). It opened in The Piano Bar in Frith St, Soho on Thursday nights in 1985 and was an instant hit. Jill went on to become part of the legendary female four-piece 'The Ghastly Girls' (as invented by myself and Caroline Guinness) under the wonderfully ridiculous pseudonym 'Bidet La Douche'. Yes, that's a whole different, and very interesting and amusing story. The Cassette Chronicles should be throwing up a few 'Ghastly Girls' tracks soon too. Can't wait.  We were just way ahead of our time.

I think this track was recorded in the Warner Chappell demo studio in around 1989.


Musical performance, programming and production by Steve Swindells.

Vocals by Frankie and Jill.

Words and music © Steve Swindells.

Image © Steve Swindells

'I Wanna Be With You Tonight' (demo) by Steve Swindells feat. Frankie And Jill

1997.

Lo-fi. Remastered from cassette.

I hope the song still shines through.  Another great vocal performance from Gospel Girl too.

I don't recall who the bass player was, although it does sound like it could have been Dale Davis.

Recorded at Crosstrax Studio, Kings Cross. 1997.

Drum programming by Ffion Anthony.

Keyboards by Steve Swindells.

Produced by Ffion Anthony and Steve Swindells.

Word and music © Steve Swindells.

Image © Steve Swindells.

Part of The Chronicles Of Cassetteville.

I can hear Little Mix doing justice to this track.  It was so prescient to what is happening right now in 2020.

'F.A.Q'. feat Gospel Girl. Demo.

Another remastered track from *gasp* cassette.  it says 'demo' on the cassette label, but I don't remember the awesome backing vocal voices of Paul Johnson, Stephen Dante and Andrew *insert surname* (don't recall it, but he was the lead singer in the Wolverhampton Gospel choir at the time) being recorded on the demo at my Rancho Deluxe Studio in Willesden Green. As I recall, they recorded their backing vocals at Soul II Soul Studio 2 in Kentish Town. So this must also be Carol's lead vocal. Therefore, this 'demo' must be the original mix. 25. 1. 98. 

This was co-written at my place in Willesden Green by M.J. Cole, Shanks, Carol Leeming and myself. 

Words and music © Coleman/Leeming/Shanks/Swindells

Produced by M.J. Cole, Shanks and Steve Swindells.

Image © Steve Swindells

Message Of Love (original mix) By The Cartel. Feat Carol Leeming

Another great vocal from 'Gospel Girl' (and me - see how well we blend on the verses and backing vocals) at my Crosstrax Studio recording sessions in 1997. The songs keep on coming! Off CASSETTE! This is another digitised and remastered track from The Chronicles Of Cassetteville.

All instruments: Steve Swindells

Drum programming: Ffion Anthony.

Produced by Ffion Anthony and Steve Swindells.

Words and music © Steve Swindells

Image © Steve Swindells

'Together' final Mix, by Steve Swindells. feat Gospel Girl.

From the double download album 'The Unplanned Obsolescence Of Thom Topham', which is featured as part of the narrative in my alter-ego Thom Topham's groundbreaking #MultimediaEBook 'My Unplanned Obsolescence'.
It's currently free to peruse in its entirety here: http://thomtopham.wordpress.com/about

Electric guitar: Jerry Richards.

All other instruments, programming, vocals and production by Steve Swindells.

Words and music © Steve Swindells

Image © Steve Swindells

Waiting For The Fall.  Remastered.

I am indebted to Keith Kniverton for sending me this slightly ropey (in terms of audio quality) demo of my song 'Turn It On Turn It Off', which must have been recorded totally live at The Mill House (the residential rehearsal facility owned by Rockfield Studios in Monmouthshire), where the Hawklords/wind were resident sometime in 1979.  I seem to remember sunshine and no money, with me doing all the cooking on no/low budget. I have no memory of why Martin Griffin (and the great Bob Calvert) left, and how the brilliant Simon King came to be playing drums with the band again, albeit briefly. It's a loooong time ago!

This first version of the track features the classic line-up of Simon King (drums), Harvey Bainbridge (bass & harmonies), Dave Brock (guitar & harmonies) and myself on vocals and keyboards.

It later appeared as one of the stand-out tracks on my 1980 album Fresh Blood (featuring Simon King, Huw Lloyd-Langton and Nic Potter), which is now  - I'm pleased to say - remastered and available on iTunes and all the usual online outlets  - via Atomhenge/Cherry Red.

Words and music by Steve G Swindells (c) All rights reserved..

Turn It On Turn It Off (Hawklords/wind Demo 1979)

Quality is a bit dodgy, but it's the real deal.

It was recorded onto cassette, I think!

Brock, Bainbridge, King and me.

The pic is of me in the porch of Rockfield studio's  Mill House, where we recorded this first demo, in the beautiful adjoining, linked ex-chapel, where we rehearsed.

Words and music by Steve Swindells (c).

Shot Down In The Night. Original demo. 1979.

The initial backing track of this laid-back gem was recorded on my vintage Korg T2 in my parents' idyllic summer house over-looking the canal in Bath in 1996, where I wrote it, whilst living there briefly for a few months.  I then took it, along with a few other demos, to James Warren's (The Korgis, Stackridge)studio in Bath. We added James's guitars, my vocals and our backing vocals and did this mix. 







Words and music © Steve Swindells

Image © Steve Swindells

PS - I note that this 'master' is actually slightly distorted.  Not good!  So I will deal with that.

Way To Go (remastered)

It was not my unplanned obsolescence...

Or was it?



Steve Swindells wrote the original instrumental (www.reverbnation.com/steveswindellsbamboo), then Thom Topham added the lyrics and melody.  Okay, Thom Topham is made up. He's my Bowie-esque alter-ego.

Hejiro

Unplanned obsolescence... hejiro...

Get the message... and light a candle.

Everything that you felt was the real and not the dark.

Don't get depressed, no, then fly right off the handle,

'cos your fate's in your hands and it's time to light that spark.

Hejiro - a slight thought of a presence.

Hejiro... it was not my unplanned obsolescence.

All those daydreams that turned to nightmares.

With that hatred and pain that you never ever asked for.

Where was the love, where was the somewhere,

when you worked for the hope, without ever needing to wear a mask?

Hejiro... hejiro... unplanned obsolescence.

Hejiro... hejiro.

 Words and music (c) Swindells/Topham 

All programming, playing and production by Steve Swindells.

Vocals by Thom Topham (not really).

Featured in Thom Topham's autobiography, along with loads of hyperlinked songs, links and pictures: https://thomtopham.wordpress.com/about

From my double download/stream album 'The Unplanned Obsolescence Of Thom Topham'. Get it here with lyrics, artworks and credits (just like a virtual LP!): http://steveswindells.bandcamp.com

Available in all the usual digital drug stores very soon.

Image (iPhone 'Phinger Painting') © Steve Swindells.

Hejiro

This classic demo was recorded In 1990 at Orinoco Studios in Old Kent Road. It features Caroll Thompson, Juliet Roberts, The Duggan Sisters, Kym Mazelle, Sarah Jane Morris, Zeeteah Massiah, Sylvia Mason-James and Victoria Wilson James. It was a wonderful, vibey, good-time session and I thank these wickedly talented women for donating their time and awesome vocal performances.  There's a video too... and Caroline has found it in her cellar! The quality is pretty bad - it's over 30 years old, after all - but the vibe is captured beautifully.  I'm hoping to get it digitally restored, but don't hold your breath! It could be a lost cause.



The idea was - and still is - for it to be re-recorded as the first all-female, global, charity record for women living with HIV and AIDS and sexual abuse.  I'm looking for some huge names, like Madonna, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Mary J Blige, Little Mix, Barbra Streisand and Mariah Carey etc.  Let's do this grrrrrls!

My preferred producer would be the great Quincy Jones.

Just in case you wondered, this man is gay. Perhaps better qualified to write the song than a straight man? I wrote the lyrics from the perspective of a very close female friend who was one of the first women to get diagnosed in the UK in the late 80s.  

All instruments and programming by Steve Swindells. 
Arranged and produced by Steve Swindells 
Words And Music by Steve Swindells. All Rights Reserved.

Remastered from cassette(big thanks to my mum Audrey for finding it the other day - bonfire night) by Steve Swindells.  Sorry about the lo-fi tape hiss! 

iPhone 'Phinger Painting' © Steve Swindells.

Positively Woman. Remastered

Taken from the recently-released "Scorpio: Water Dragon & Fire Bird", from Jay Tausig's evolving 12-CD, subscription-only 'The Trip Around The Sun' 

http://www.jaytausig.com

Keyboards and vocals: Steve Swindells (Scorpio/Water Dragon).
Drums, guitars, bass and backing vocals:  Jay Tausig (Aries/Fire Horse).

Recorded transatlantically in 2012.

For a limited time I'm including this track in my bundle of free downloads for people who 'fan' me on http://www.reverbnation.com/steveswindells

Please also note that half of the proceeds of paid downloads go to charity:water - bringing clean drinking water to the developing world.


I'm On Fire.


I'm like a dragon to water, but it won't put out my fire.
I drink, I think, from the fountain to the wire.

I'm like a dragon to water, everything is in my power.
I live, I give, climbing mountains hour by hour.

I'm like a dragon, you can chase me, feel my need,
I'm like a dragon, breathing fire and then I bleed. 

I am on fire… I am alive.
Walking the wire… that's how I survive.

I am on fire.

I'm like a scorpion to sting you, but only when I'm mad,
I am that man, who is all that's good and bad.

I'm like a dragon to water, but it won't put out my fire.
I drink, I think, from the fountain to the wire.

I'm like a dragon, you can chase me, feel my need,
I'm like a dragon, breathing fire and then I bleed. 




Words and music Steve G Swindells and Jay Tausig © Copyright Control. All Rights Reserved.

Featured on Steve's new download album 'The Hanging Baskets Of Babylon': https://steveswindells.bandcamp.com/album/the-hanging-baskets-of-babylon


I'm On Fire (Jay Mix). By Jay Tausig and Steve Swindells

Track #2 from this ongoing collaboration.  Hadas is so talented, and I'm really enjoying working with her and, now  we've progressed with this very special song, with Mark on bass and his magical ukulele!

Don't Stop


Don't go chasing love in a place where you don't seem to find your name. 
I've been holding on for too long to see your face; I was wrong.

Don't stop even if you're going away, even if you're here to stay. 
Don't stop even if you're going away, even if you're here to stay.
Even if you walk away .

Marching trees, open winds for every thing to change, you know.
Rhythm souls,  the dead sea scrolls shine a light our way. We know 

Don't stop even if you're going away, even if you're here to stay. 
Don't stop even if you're going away, even if you're here to stay.
Even if you walk away.

Balas/Kirzhner/Swindells © All rights reserved.

Vocals:  Hadas Balas
Bass and Ukulele:  Mark Kirzhner.
Shaker: Marlon Bramble
Programming, keyboards, production and mix by Steve Swindells @ Rancho Deluxe Studio, London NW10.

Yeah!

Don't Stop - by Hadas Balas and the NCY collective.

Steve Swindells is a singer/songwriter/musician/producer and artistic polymath. He owns all the rights to the tracks featured on here (PRS/MCPS) -  apart from the Hawklords, Tre Nation, Findike and Spirits Burning tracks (and 'Shot Down In The Night' and 'Turn It On Turn It Off', which Steve wote, but are published by Warner Chappell) - so all the other tracks and co-writes are available to sample (with permission and a suitable publishing split!) and to cover and/or licence.

The Plastic Sturgeons, Steve's ad-hoc, all-star jamming band, were honoured to be joined by one of the best bass players in the world, Guy Pratt (just google him - I'll mention Pink Floyd and Michael Jackson for starters) at their live gig at The Real Music Club In Brighton. Then Amy Winehouse's bass player and musical director Dale Davis guested at the next super-jam @ The Brunswick in Brighton on Nov 23rd.  That was Steve's 61st b/day party too. All tracks were recorded by the most excellent Roy Weard.

Steve's new(old) double CD The Lost Albums was released in 2012 on Flicknife Records (http://www.flickniferecords.co.uk) and you can read the first review of it here: http://www.recordcollectormag.com/reviews/review-detail/8099 - also available from iTunes, Amazon.co.uk, Play.com and HMV.com

Steve's 1974 Album 'Messages' was digitally remastered and reissued on Esoteric/Cherry Red, in 2009, as was his classic 1980 album Fresh Blood (Atomhenge/Cherry Red). The latter is also available on Spotify, iTunes etc etc.

Steve's double compilation album of home recordings and demos from the late 80s through to 2013 is called 'New Crescent Yard' and is available to download for just $10 here, as his new album 'The Hanging Baskets Of Babylon' : http://steveswindells.bandcamp.com and they are also on most streaming and download platforms.

Steve's burgeoning multimedia EBook 'Sex N' Drugs N' Sausage Rolls' is now free to peruse (for a limited period) on http://steveswindells/wordpress.com/about

Steve also played with the re-convened Hawklords (he was in the band in 1978/9), which features the cream of the ex-members of Hawkwind and The Hawklords. Steve also played quirky keyboards on The Hawklords' 2012 release 'We Are One' before leaving the band.

http://www.facebook.com/TheHawklords

Stream and download (please 'fan' for loads of free downloads) more of Steve's songs and music at:
http://www.reverbnation.com/steveswindells

Then there are the ambient/chill/healing albums - perfect for film, library and TV music.  These CDs are now available to buy direct from the artist. 

http://www.reverbnation.com/steveswindellsbamboo

http://www.reverbnation.com/steveswindellsenigmaelevations

And please 'like' me @ http://www.facebook.com/SteveSwindellsMusic

Don't forget to check-out my Bowie-esque alter-ego Thom Topham too:
http://soundcloud.com/thom-topham and http://www.reverbnation.com/thomtopham

The double DanMingo album featuring Jon Moss, Winston Blissett, Dale Davis, Jerry Richards, Kit Morgan and Moos in now available as a download and to stream on all the usual digital suspects.

Steve released the double album 'The Unplanned Obsolescence of Thom Topham' and it's available to download/stream on all digital outlets.

steve-swindells

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