Swimming have just released their debut album, 'The Fireflow Trade', on their own record label. Recently, they have been playing improvisational 'headphone only' shows, but they will be bringing their full on rock show to Brownes. But before that, Leftlion caught up with John Sampson and Blake Pearson from the band...

What has been your favourite experience playing live with the band?
The headphone only gigs we have done with Dallas Simpson were amazing to play - totally different mindset with those shows - you cant see the audience directly so it's just you, the band, the music and Dallas floating nearby.

The best full rock show was a night in Leeds last month - the kids were trying to get Joffs (guitarist) pick off him before we'd even started and when we did start, they hit the ceiling.
 
What has been the worst experience playing live?
Playing a night in Chester to the bar staff, bands and the promoter - everyone else was at a party next door where they were trying to break the world record for the most people in one place dressed as a Smurf.

Where are your favourite places to play in Nottingham and why?
King Edwards park for its brand new facilities.

For playing music Lee Rosys Tea Room and its lovely crowd. Rescue Rooms when it's full and loud.

Both with the band, and as a paying punter, what has been your most memorable gig in Nottingham?
As a band it was probably the night we did the video shoot for Panthalassa; all our nearest and dearest crammed into Baselab (where we used to practice) 'dancing' to the track in double time.

As a punter probably Onieda at Greens Mill Hall, or Punish the Atom at Bunkers Hill, or maybe Late of the Pier at Chameleon or Wolves of Greece! at Baselab they are all equally well remembered.

If you could put on a festival locally, where would you stage it and what local acts would you have playing?
We'd stage it at the planetarium at the space centre down the road and split the event into 8 parts - like The Planets by Holst with The Petebox, Lone, APOF, Pilgrim Fathers, Fists!, 1st Blood, JCDecaux, WeShoUpOnRadaR, Love Ends Disaster, Russian Linesman, Cuban Crimewave, The Cusp, Made of Leaves, Souvaris, Spaceships are cool, 7081, Origami Biro, Scorzayzee and Zero Theory all in zero gravity.
 
If you could play in any other band, who would it be and why?
Clark, his sounds are flippin' bonza, I'd want to play slide and blip guitar.

If you could introduce one law to make gig going more enjoyable what would it be?
Promoters who really care, amazing PA's and trampolines.

What was your first ever gig, when and where was it?
Foo Fighters at Rock City. I lost my shoe crowd-surfing and someone lobbed it at Pat Smear.

Who was the last band you went to see live?
Amusement Parks on Fire.

What can we expect from you at your LeftLion Presents gig?
We're going to do some tracks with Peter beatboxing instead of on the kit.

Fists and Swimming play LeftLion at Brownes on Friday 19 June 2009.

Swimming's MySpace
 

Swimming Interview