Swans

The Sound Of Impact: Noise Rock In 1986

So here's a question: was noise rock healthier in 1986 than it is today in 2016? Noel Gardner spends today and tomorrow trying to answer this question. Today - here's his overview of 12 months of noise rock three decades ago

Bountiful Summer: Quietus Albums Of The Year So Far 2014

Here is tQ's half year studio album list voted for by Luke Turner, Rory Gibb, Laurie Tuffrey, Sophie Coletta and John Doran (who wrote and compiled the feature)

An Open Wound: Swans’ Cop Revisited

Catharsis was just another word for sonic dismemberment, says Ned Raggett about this 1984 noise rock album from Swans

This Is My Sermon: M Gira Of Swans Speaks To John Doran

Ahead of the release of magnificent new Swans album To Be Kind, Michael Gira speaks to John Doran about that LP's ferocious grooves, his role as band leader, Haitian history, the early days of the group, and his terror at the ever-increasing commercialisation of our society. Photography by Jennifer Church, Sebastien Sighell and Matias Coral

A Place To Dream: Arcadia, The Kitchen & The History Of NY Lofts

With William Basinski's Arcadia Series opening this week in London, Robert Barry speaks with Basinski, Michael Gira and Rhys Chatham to trace the rich history of New York's artist-run loft spaces and the pioneering music they fostered

Tracks Of Our Tears: 50 Songs That Make Quietus Writers & Artists Cry

Following this week's Quietus Essay exploring why music makes people cry, the Quietus writers and several artists select and discuss the songs that make them well up

He Bangs The Drums – Thor Harris Of Swans: The Life Of THOR

SWANS' powerhouse drummer Thor Harris talks Luke Turner through his life story, depression, playing with Michael Gira and the similarities between working in music and his day job as a carpenter and plumber

Dance ‘Til The Police Come: Post-Punk Politics In 2012

In our latest Wreath Lecture, Joe Kennedy argues that now the flaccid post punk revival of ten years ago is over, in 2012 artists are making music that embraces the imperative to move forward and reflect troubled times. Header image: artwork for test pressing of Prurient's Bermuda Drain

Supersonic 2012: A Radical Spirit – Jarboe Interviewed

Ahead of her performance at this month's Supersonic festival Ned Raggett talks to Jarboe about Swans, Phil Anselmo and how she's more radical now than ever before. Main picture by Cedric Victor

A Little Drop Of Blood: Michael Gira Of Swans Interviewed

The Seer is a gargantuan colossus of a record towering over 2012. Luke Turner spoke to Michael Gira about its genesis, evolution, and the commitment required to make it

From Gallows Mountain To Traitor’s Villa: Necessary Interviewed

John Doran talks to Tony Wilson of Necessary about music that is (necessarily) a chaotic mess, the recent horrific events in Utøya and Oslo and My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts. Photograph courtesy of Steffen Oftedal

Guitar Music Is Dead. Long Live Guitar Music

Yesterday, guitar music was pronounced dead for the umpteenth time. Luke Turner argues that it's a tired old argument - and one that, when we're looking outside the mainstream - is patently untrue

Reformation Culture In 2010: Why We Should Welcome Returning Heroes

Think reunions are inescapable, undignified and generally a bad thing? Noel Gardner disagrees, as long as you welcome them with the right spirit

Supersonic 2010: Michael Gira Talks About Swans And Hair Shirts

Michael Gira says that being in Swans used to be like "trudging up a sand hill wearing a hair shirt, being sprayed with battery acid, with a midget taunting you". In which case, why has he resurrected the project, asks Frances Morgan

The Quietus Looks Back At The Career Of Dynamic Metallic Neurosis

Life In Death: Shane Embury’s Baker’s Dozen

Napalm Death stalwart Shane Embury takes Kez Whelan through his thirteen favourite records, from his friendships with Repulsion and Cardiacs to his early years shaped by Venom and AC/DC

Master Blaster: Kevin Richard Martin’s Baker’s Dozen

The artist also known as The Bug talks to Jennifer Lucy Allan about the records that changed his life, from anxious encounters with African Head Charge in Weymouth to being blasted by Swans at the ICA

Stir My Teenage Soul: Karl ‘Regis’ O’Connor’s Favourite LPs

Karl O'Connor guides Luke Turner through the 13 teenage hits that made him Regis, with tales of smelling like a badger on the mail train to Brum and what happens when you get a member of Einstürzende Neubauten the wrong gravel on the way

Not Just Random Doof: Jas Shaw’s Favourite Music

Jas Shaw marks the release of the first album from his new project Shaw & Grossfeldt with a Quietus Baker's Dozen, featuring an Aphex Twin love story, why dance music isn't an albums game, and how a Resident Advisor podcast helped him through chemotherapy

Thirteen Masks: Jarboe’s Favourite Music

Jarboe guides Spyros Stasis through 13 favourites in this week's Baker's Dozen, taking in the likes of Arvo Pärt, Kendrick Lamar, Janis Joplin and her relationship with Swans

Getting Hypnotised: John Robb Finds The Funk In Unusual Places

How did it take us nearly a decade to ask Brother John Robb for his Baker's Dozen choices? The Membranes frontman sits down with Julian Marszalek to discuss 13 favourite records where over the years he's dug out the most funk

Burn Again: Lawrence English’s Favourite Albums

After celebrating Room40's 15th birthday, the label head and ambient composer pauses in his hometown of Brisbane to go from Swans to Japanese court music in taking Kate Hennessy through his 13 "foundational" records

Kjetil’s On The Boil: Arabrot’s Favourite 13 LPs

As we gear up for a mighty basting at Desertfest, Arabrot main man Kjetil Nernes talks us through his 13 favourite albums