Thursday, January 11, 2007

Classically Martin: King Swamp's "Is This Love"

I remember catching the video for this song on MTV's 120 Minutes. It was something that stood out at a time when Rock was losing its luster. I think it was vocalist Walter Wray's bluesy vocal delivery that sealed the deal. I made sure to pick up the self-titled King Swamp album. Then I discover that the backing band is supergroup of amazing musicians (many from Shriekback) and found myself playing it over and over again. I can clearly remember putting the cassette in my first car and driving from my house only to park behind a closed pizza place nearby (named Poe's Pizza) to listen to the music as I closed my eyes and ditched school. You had to be there, I guess.

This song will probably come down sooner than the others as I plan to interview Walter Wray for the live podcast on Saturday. Should be fun and I have to suppress that inner fanboy that wants to just tell him how amazing he is. Anyhow, here is their first single... which actually landed at #21 on Billboard's Alternative Rock chart in 1989.

6 comments:

LoraLoo said...

I am sorry to say I'd never heard that song before, because it's really good.

I remember Poe's pizza! It amazes sometimes me that our paths never crossed way back when... I'm going to have to get out one of my old Hyde Park yearbooks and look you up. I am pretty sure I was only a year ahead of you there.

Congrats on your first podcast celebrity interview!!

LoraLoo said...

I am sorry to say I'd never heard that song before, because it's really good.

I remember Poe's pizza! It amazes sometimes me that our paths never crossed way back when... I'm going to have to get out one of my old Hyde Park yearbooks and look you up. I am pretty sure I was only a year ahead of you there.

Congrats on your first podcast celebrity interview!!

LoraLoo said...

Wow, my comment was soooo good, Blogger decided it should be there twice. I'd actually remove it, but we're on different versions of Blogger - not an option.

:)

Martin said...

I could have removed it but... I kinda like it. Been thinking of moving to the newer Blogger 2.0 but still iffy about losing my archive (I kinda like looking over and saying, "Damn, I've been doing this for how long?") I think that's the only pocket of resistance I have. We'll see.

Teri said...

For some reason, I can never get these songs to play.

Lora, I didn't know you went to Hyde Park. So did Josh :)

Anonymous said...

I have been looking for this song since 1989! I also saw this video on MTV. They played it a lot back then. Then it just disappeared into the lost song world.

I am very happy that you have brought it back to me after so long.