Still Rockin' It - Cheryl Lee
Join Cheryl Lee That Radio Chick on Still Rockin' It for news, reviews and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians.
What are they up to at the moment? Let's find out .......
Still Rockin' It - Cheryl Lee
What's John Swan AKA Swanee been up to lately? OR What colour is John's hair really?
Join Cheryl Lee - That Radio Chick on STILL ROCKIN' IT for news, reviews, music and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians.
Today we share a recent zoom room chat with Australian rock singer John Archibold Dixon Swan.
Born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1952. John Swan migrated to Australia with his family in 1961.
He is the older brother of singer-songwriter Jimmy Barnes of Cold Chisel fame, and an uncle of stage performer David Campbell and singer Mahalia Barnes.
With a successful solo career both before and since, in 1987, Swanee replaced Angry Anderson as lead singer of The Party Boys, and Johns tenure with the band proved to be the group's most successful period.
In 2015, Swan was announced as South Australia's Senior Australian of the Year and in 2017 was appointed an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in recognition for his work with various charitable organizations.
Includes Songs:
Jimmy Barnes & John Swan - What Will They Say
Swanee - Lady, What's Your Name
Billy Field - You Weren't In Love With Me
The Party Boys - High Voltage
What's Swanee up to at the moment?
Let's find out .....
Get out when you can, support local music and I'll see you down the front!!
Visit: ThatRadioChick.com.au
That Radio Cheek, cheryl Lee, here with you. Welcome to the Still Rocking it podcast, where we'll have news, reviews and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians and artists. Today I share a Zoom room chat I had recently with rock singer John Archibald Dixon Swan. Born in Glasgow in Scotland in 1952, john migrated to Australia with his family in 61. The older brother of singer-songwriter Jimmy Barnes of Cold Chisel fame 1952, john migrated to Australia with his family in 61. The older brother of singer-songwriter Jimmy Barnes of Cold Chisel fame and an uncle of stage performer David Campbell and singer Mahalia Barnes, with a successful solo career before and since. In 87, swanee replaced Angry Anderson as lead singer of the Party Boys and John's tenure with the band proved to be the group's most successful period. 2015 saw John announced as South Australia's Senior Australian of the Year. In 2017, he was appointed an Order of Australia Medal recognition for his work with various charitable organisations.
Speaker 1:What's John Swan been up to lately? Let's find out. You're with Cheryl Lee, that Radio Chick. It's a great pleasure for me to welcome into the Zoom room for a chat today John Archibald Dixon Swan, 70 years, young, still going strong. Thanks for joining us. Have you got four names?
Speaker 2:Yeah that's strong. Thanks for joining us have you got four names.
Speaker 1:No, the third Because you're greedy, Couple of exciting things you'd like to share with us. One is a brand new album and some fabulous people lucky enough to sing with you. But also you're coming to our town very soon. You heard it first here. Can you give us the scoop on the new album?
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's a duets album. You reflect when somebody passes away in your family. You look back and you go. You know what, when my little sister went, I just thought I must do some more, I must get some work done, because I've been sitting on my hands just sitting here playing guitar and you know, the world pandemic's been on and I tried to come to Adelaide a few times but it's so hard because nobody's got any money and Adelaide's notoriously bad for not booking up front.
Speaker 2:I hate to say and I'm not trying to bring anybody down, it's just that I'm talking to Frank Stavala and some other people on the national level, the bookers, and they're they're stopping putting acts in there. The big shows aren't going to be coming to you. Well, you're a booker, so you know. You know that you go bang, I go and get my tickets as soon as I see what I want, you know, and if you sit and wait till the last minute, they're sitting there going. Oh, that's only 60, and then you find out just after you cancelled another 40 or, you know, a hundred or a thousand, whatever, depending on the size of your show. It's just a thing and it's just something you've got to get used to as a musical society.
Speaker 1:So the album. Who's going to be lucky enough to be singing with you on this album?
Speaker 2:Jack Johns, renee Geyer, jimmy, jimmy who? Oh, you know, that guy, that guy.
Speaker 1:Jimmy, anyway.
Speaker 2:Jimmy Dixon's one band. It's Jack Jones, renee, john Stevens, diesel, jimmy Mahalia, russell Morris, ross Wilson, colin Hay. This track I did with Colin Hay sounds amazing. It's an old Scottish song. It's just wonderful.
Speaker 2:If I'm going to do something, I do it right, let's get it done. So I sent a text to 13 people and I thought, oh, I'll be three weeks or something before they get back because they're all on tour doing this, doing that, yeah, and I was just lying there watching I think I was watching boxing or something and all of a sudden ping, ping, ping, ping. My phone went off and I thought hang on a second. I looked and I can't say the words that they said, but it was F and Oath, you know F and Oath. And I went yeah, okay, and then, absolutely you know it's about.
Speaker 2:You know, this was people that I didn't expect to get back to. These are people that were my top. You know a list of people I wanted to sing with. There's a few others, but I just want to be able to fit them all in this time, you know. So Mahalia's doing this track Job on a Massa track because she sang with Job on a Massa. So I'm doing one of the songs she'd done with him and it sounds frigging great.
Speaker 1:Generally are you singing their songs. Your songs completely different songs.
Speaker 2:Completely different songs. Some have been recorded before but some people wouldn't have heard. Some of them are by traditional Scottish artists, you know, and it's violin and acoustic guitar and mandolin and stuff like that.
Speaker 2:It's very nice you know, but it's not a rock album, it's sort of like basically a soul album. You know, like it's a combination of where your roots come from, because I've always been sort of a rock and roll guy, but I'm not really. When I listen to music, I listen to different stuff, you know, because I'm still learning my chops. I'm still learning what to do. If you don't keep using it, you lose it. So I really love I sit and rehearse for three hours a day playing guitar and you know I'm still not getting any better Actually, it's not true, I am getting much better. But I want to be able to do what Diesel does stand up, play on my own and just sing and play the way that I used to do when I played drums. I had no inhibitions about worrying about what they thought. It's just you've got to do what's before you and sometimes the challenge is what you need. And I've always been sort of anxiety and panic attack since I stopped drinking. You know, when you're drinking you don't even notice.
Speaker 1:Still up in the podcast with that radio chick, Cheryl Lee. While we're talking of duets, let's have a listen to what Will they Say? Swanee and his little brother Jimmy singing together on Jimmy's Double Happiness album from 2005.
Speaker 2:been through troubled waters. What I have seen?
Speaker 1:during the pandemic, we've all learned a lot of new skills. Have you utilised technology to make this album, John, or are you actually in the room with each other, or are you in separate states, countries and magically bring it all together?
Speaker 2:One vocal was done in Peru, the other vocal was done in Nashville. Another vocal was done in Los Angeles and I'm waiting to see about the guy from the Babies getting back to me. You know it was one of my favorite bands there. Their drummer produced Blood Sticking and Water for me and we've been friends for a long, long time and I said it'd be nice to sing with John White and he just went yeah, I'll have a talk to them, and he played them the stuff. The guy said, yeah, I'll do it, you know, because they're going to do a tour and that's really nice too, because I've got some international people on it as well. You know, I'm hoping to get some because some of the band members are from bonnie wright's band and all of those country guys, because kilo is doing a track too. So I've got those guys involved in it. Who's the best session players in Nashville and it's not costing me a cent.
Speaker 1:Well, I know from an Aussie fan's point of view. Aussies who grew up loving Chisel grew up loving Swanee whether you're in the Party Boys or Solo or whatever, we've been waiting for you guys to sing together again. Tell me, are you going to sing one again? Tell me, are you gonna sing one of your songs, one of his songs, or can you tell us what song you know?
Speaker 2:what. I'm not fussy as long as I get to sing with them because it's it's more fun. Um no, I've got to that point in my life where if I don't have fun I'm not doing it. You know like I'm over the stress of trying to pull big crowds and do all that. I'm just going to play through whoever turns up and give them as best shows as I can possibly do. You know we used to go out to the hospitals and stuff like that and play and probably I played better out there than what I did on stage. You know, because you're present, you're in the moment and you're talking to the audience immediately. They're sitting in front of you and they appreciate it.
Speaker 1:And appreciate it, and I think that's the gift of music.
Speaker 2:We can't wait to hear it john, do you have an anticipated release date at all? No, no, it will be a bit later on this year because it's everything, um, at other people's call because they're touring and like colin was doing a gig and he's in peru or something in between the sound checks now, he came out and did the vocal and came back, and I was expecting to be weeks, you know, and within an hour he had the vocal done. I mean, these people are at the top of their game. They're not slouches.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so it's a labour of love and it'll take as long as it takes, basically, and you're going to enjoy it.
Speaker 2:I've got another album on the side that I'm doing. I've got another album on the side that I'm doing. It's all really nice songs that I love, but they're not mine and they're not. They're songs that I'm attached to emotionally, that I hope the audience that have come to see me over the years not rock and roll, it's very simple songs, you know, things like Handbags and Gladrags and stuff like that. I'm going to do that, you know. And when I come to Adelaide I'll be working in Darren's studio. And when I come to Adelaide I'll be working in Darren's studio with doing something like the Highland Street Boys was, except it won't be the Highland Street Boys.
Speaker 1:Producer nerd.
Speaker 2:Yes, producer nerd, he's a talented, talented guy, great singer, wonderful singer.
Speaker 1:Yeah, well, maybe we could interview you in the producer nerd studio when you come to Adelaide, yeah sure, and film it like a little bit of a behind the scenes documentary.
Speaker 2:Yeah, we could play live then, because that's what we did you remember that thing, that with handbags and gladbags that I did before, where I just sit in there? And he said, oh, why don't we do something while you're here? And I went okay, I'll have a coffee. And he went okay. So I got upstairs, made a coffee, came down, he said he it. And he sent me the words and the chords and I went what? No, he said yeah, yeah. He said the camera's rolling, let's do it. And I went shit. So he's gone. Very cool, you know, but that's the way the music should be. It should be done on the fly. Some of the things that we've done together up in Queensland and stuff like that is, you know, there was Vince, myself and Di Pritchard from Rose Tattoo and we did a threesome.
Speaker 1:I remember that.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it was great the place burned down, but it was wonderful I wasn't as responsible, are you sure? Yeah, I tried to cook in the back. Hey, welcome party.
Speaker 1:Still rocking the podcast with that radio chick, Cheryl Lee. Let's hear one of my favourite Swanee songs. This single is from the this Time it's Different album from 1982,.
Speaker 2:Lady, what's your name?
Speaker 1:We're going to get to see you live here in little old Adelaide very soon.
Speaker 2:The 30th is definite. That is definite and please buy some tickets for it. You know, if you intend to come and see us, see us at the Archibald on the 30th. I'm bringing Billy Fields over. He's a great guy, great singer. You know I'm learning at the moment. You weren't in love with me. Blunt, freddy knew that, you know, and it's sort of like I've got to do it all. Play freddy on the throat. It's a pleasure to play with him because all the bands did their recordings in excess chisel myself. We did them in his studio. He owned the studios. He only built the studio so we could have somewhere cheaper to go and do it. And it was the best studio in the country because he's got this mega fields meets thing. You know, it's a family heirloom type thing, big stuff are there any other venues?
Speaker 1:john, is that the only place we can see you at the arc?
Speaker 2:no, there will be other places, but unless the art works, I'm just going to record, you know, because if I put other places up people will say I'll go and see him there. It's closer to home, you know. Oh, it's wet, I won't bother. Not, it's not working like that anymore. The whole industry is changing.
Speaker 2:You know, I was told unfortunately he's in hospital, but frank's, now that he's, since michael gdinski passed away, frank's the, the leading man, you know. And um, he just says to me you know, you've got to start thinking smart like everybody else. You know, you can't just go in and do things because you're doing it. You've got to go in so that it covers your ass. You know, you can't go in and expect to do a good show. The Soul Show would have been wonderful. I mean, that band is freaking hot. I had three girls and it was. It was all lovely. But we'll get round to doing that, you know, but not until things pick up. It's not a point. And I say that with great respect because I know there's no money out there. Everybody's struggling, everybody's battling, you know, but they forget that it cost me seven grand just to put the show on. So I've got to come back with that and break even, you know.
Speaker 1:Let's not be like we sometimes can be here in South Australia and a bit slow. Get onto the Google-o-meter, track down the tickets to the Arca Bar.
Speaker 2:It'll be on my Facebook site.
Speaker 1:Yep, so go to John Swan or Swanee on Facebook for more details.
Speaker 2:I don't mean that as a derogatory thing to Adelaide, or I'm not being a smartass, it's just really the way that things have to be these days, you know. I mean, there's a 17-year-old idiot running around in this 70-year-old body, you know, and he still wants to do it for nothing.
Speaker 1:We can't wait to see you back here in, I'll say, your hometown of Adelaide. I shall see you down the front.
Speaker 2:Yes, I'll see you for coffee first.
Speaker 1:Absolutely.
Speaker 2:I like your hair that colour.
Speaker 1:It's the same colour, as it always is.
Speaker 2:So is mine. I, as it always is, so is mine.
Speaker 1:I've died for it, still rocking the podcast with that radio chick, cheryl Lee. On that note, I think we'd better play you Weren't In Love With Me, the song that John's been practising to play with Billy Fields at the end of July, here at the Ark Standing on the outside I don't know where I'm going to You'll be doing what you usually do, john, and pop by and visit some of your favourite charitable organisations while you're here in town.
Speaker 2:You can't do things that I've been doing in the past, like homeless, the vets, the hospital out at Hampstead, and walk away and leave them. But every chance I get get I'll be going back there to reiterate what we tried to. You know, initiate with them, you know, and you don't leave people because otherwise you're like everybody else. Everybody else gets them up there and then, you know, walks away and leaves them and it's like oh, what happened there? You know, like we'll go out and play to all of them. I'd rather do that, to be honest with you. I mean, you have to make money, unfortunately, but I play music because I love it, not because, you know, it's never been about money.
Speaker 1:Obviously. How did you say obviously We'll see you for that cuppa beforehand.
Speaker 2:I'm saving up, so I can buy you coffee.
Speaker 1:okay, Take out a loan Go and see the bank manager. I'm getting advanced on my pension on behalf of all of us in adelaide. We can't wait to see you, thank you so much.
Speaker 2:I can't wait to see you all. It'll be great. I'll bring a guitar down and I'll sing one of the songs you know diesel rock me one. When I asked him, he just got straight back to me and said oh, wow, yes, definitely, you know not a when, how much? When, what's it? Where are we going to do it? Not one of these people asked me a question. They just said yes, that's the way that I do it. You know, somebody reads me and says can you sing back in vocals in milban? I go, yes, you know love to I don't know.
Speaker 2:The next morning he ran me up about nine o'clock. He said I had a dream last night. I woke up and he said I was you singing this song? He said so. I've recorded the guitars and I put a vocal on it. I'll send it to you and see what you think. He sent it to me. It sounds like a finished product. He's a clever boy, yeah. I said what sort of mic are you? He said cheap $400 mic that I bought in Britain and I said all right, I'll get one so that they're matching. The vocals will match. He just said just do what you want to do, just enjoy the process, you know, but that's how good he is you know?
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:He's a clever boy. I'm so glad that you're enjoying the process as well.
Speaker 2:Take your time, love every minute of it, yeah and it's nice because I've got Jimmy's family in there as well, you know like. So I'll go down and do some the Jane Barnes stuff you know like, because that's going to be great. I always enjoy watching them because they come up with great songs you don't need a tambourinist.
Speaker 1:Do you actually do? No one, aren't I doing a tambourine?
Speaker 2:solo. Oh yeah, you know, renee Gay did that with that. When I did Bushido, she said I'll come and do it. I said uh, oh, hang on, how about you're going to charge me? She said not a single cent, john, you know that. And I said wow, that's amazing, renee, I'm so chuffed. And she said as long as I can do a whistling solo. And there she was in the middle and I let her do the solo. When she came out, she said thank you.
Speaker 1:I said that's all right. A lot more expensive than Renee.
Speaker 2:That's what I've heard. I was talking to Gleeson. He reckons that you're doubling up on Triangle and bringing Glockenspiel, charlie's Glockenspiel.
Speaker 1:Cowbell.
Speaker 2:John. Oh yeah, we need more cowbell in this one.
Speaker 1:Yep, I'm your woman. Well, it's good to see your face.
Speaker 2:It's lovely, it's fantastic If your kids might love They've grown up so much. It's great I will Love you. See you later, though, speak again soon. Oh look, can't wait.
Speaker 1:Still rocking the podcast with that radio chick, cheryl Lee. We can't go out without playing a song from the Party Boys, with John Swan out the front. Here's their great cover of High Voltage from Akadaka. This appeared on the Glory Days of Aussie Pub Rock album Volume 2. Please enjoy. You're with Cheryl Lee, that radio chick. Thank you so much for joining me on the Still Rocking it podcast. Hope to catch you again next time. Get out when you can support Aussie music and I'll see you down the front.