Album Notes

Imagine being 13 and 14 years old, writing and performing a full Hard Rock Album and playing to crowds that cannot believe kids can rock like this! This is the reality for Black Swade, as they have had incredible support and reactions to their debut album. The songs will make every rock fan take notice of this new band from Squamish, BC, Canada. Squamish is a town set in the mountains between Vancouver and Whistler, and is the location where these five friends got together, while all were in elementary school, in June of 2005, to start jamming together. The members of the band are, Liam Alvernini (bass guitar), Luke Kyle (vocals), Iain Rommel (drums), Alex Toews (rhythm guitar) and Scott Verbeek (lead guitar).

The opportunities for gigs started weeks after their first practice and have continued to include great venues and enthusiastic crowds, as the word gets out about these “kids” playing crazy hard rock. Squamish gave Black Swade their first opportunity to play in front of a crowd, in July of 2005. People were amazed at the musicianship and more offers to play in Squamish followed. The boys entered a Battle of the Bands in Whistler in March of 2006 and from that performance were asked to play a set at Merlin’s Bar in Whistler the following week. From the first song, it was apparent the band had won over the crowd and more offers to play for the après ski crowd followed. The band recorded a 3 song demo CD in the winter of ’06 and was met with great reaction. The band was invited to play for Youth Week at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre in May of 2006. Black Swade opened for Free Flow, Canada Day and were the headliner for the Labour Day Celebration in Squamish. Black Swade was voted best local band in October 2006. The band has an exciting CD release party booked at Merlin’s opening weekend of ski season, November 25. More offers are coming in all of the time and the year holds much ahead for Black Swade.

This debut CD involved much work from Black Swade and the production team of Manic Media Studios. The recording started in July of 2006 and was finished up several months later, in October. Many band members contributed to the writing of the songs and only the band members played in the recordings. Black Swade learned much about the rigors of recording and the need for a good ear in the mixing. The 11 song track is full of original rock songs, but each song is quite unique in it’s style. You have to give it a listen to appreciate the accomplishments of Black Swade. Music veterans are impressed with the maturity of the writing and solid performance of the band.

Black Swade is a band receiving much attention and people are saying great things could happen to them, with their skill and dedication to making such great rock songs. Who knows what the future holds? It is always cool to have supported a great band from their early beginnings. Enjoy the rock sounds of Black Swade, no matter where you are in the world!