Who/what are The Swagger Sticks?
Good question. Well, I’ve always been drawn to the DIY “econo” punk ethos and, having said that, I’m pretty psyched to be making music during a time when anyone can make a record and distribute it without a record label. Even though punk bands like The Sex Pistols and The Ramones could have never accomplished what they did without the backing of a record label, I’ve always been attracted to the energy and rebelliousness of these bands and, without them, I wouldn’t be making music today.
Though certainly less renowned, The Swagger Sticks, are a perfect example of the opportunities now available to indie artists everywhere. I’d never been signed, or even put out a record before. But instead of waiting to get “discovered,” we made a record, produced a video and now we have the freedom to do whatever we want, which includes the strong likelihood of never getting paid. But that’s what’s known in some circles as a ”great moral victory,” so there you have it!
- Aron Gibson, Los Angeles June 2010