Swanee River

Swanee River a classic rock 4 piece steeped in soul and blues currently based in Derry NI.
Influences include:Free, Led Zeppelin, UFO, Spencer Davis Group, Rory Gallagher, Humble Pie, Terry Reid, AC/DC, The Small Faces and Creedance Clearwater Revival

Hook Infested Classic Rockers Swanee River first paralyzed the Irish Music Scene back in 2004 when the fresh faced foursome fronted by ‘Stevie Blues’ Horner threw caution to the wind got in their van and tackled the live gig circuit and in two years played no less than 200 gigs the length and breath of Ireland, going on to win the Northern Ireland Battle of the Bands in 2006.
In the same year a now established Swanee River took some time out to write and record their first EP and this also included some changes in line up in the form of guitarist Graham ‘Ragin Bap’ Baldrick and drummer Conor ’Coco’ McAuley.

2007 saw the return of Swanee River to the main stage with their own tour and a key support with Dublin band Jaded Sun.

By 2008 Swanee River, with their growing fan base and increasing critical acclaim took on coveted support slots with Henry McCullough, Taste and moved up the summer festival hit list appearing on the same bill as Ash. After this it was time for Swanee River to head back into the Studio.

2009 has cemented Swanee River as one of the hottest and most sought after bands in Ireland. They have consistently been going from strength to strength, learning the business and becoming well seasoned ‘old hands’.
Early 2009 the band trialled a digital release of their EP ‘Kick of yer Cloggs’ which has been selling rapidly across not only Ireland but the UK, Europe and further a field.
Back in April they were included on the cover mount CD of Classic Rock’s US/Rest of World edition of the magazine and also won an online competition with the magazine to secure being included on the cover mount of a UK edition in August/September.
June brought Swanee River on tour with The Answer, Taste and a slot with UFO the covermount of Hotpress magazine as a build up to the Glasgowbury music festival.
The Summer gave Swanee River one of their most memorable performances to date at the packed out Spurs of Rock stage at Glasgowbury. Following on from this Swanee River’s own Stevie Blues was asked by Henry McCullough to join him onstage to finish his set.
Swanee River had also been tracked down by the BBC to record two exclusive acoustic tracks live for radio play and also their online sessions.
In Autumn Swanee River were offered representation with Sirocco Fonik Music Management, physical release of their EP, another live session with the BBC, an appearance on Balcony TV Dublin, Tinnitus Ireland Campaign Gig in Whelans with Lauren Guillery and the main support slot on The Answer’s home coming tour finale at the Ulster Hall in Belfast.

2010 the year of classic rock will see Swanee River move onwards and upwards, there are rumours of an album, music video, a clothing sponsorship, a UK tour and much, much more.

Press clippings

- 'If anything the lights have skewed to an even sexier, darker red for the Derry foursome quickly refilling the venue with those who've stepped out to catch their breath.... They fire on into 'I Don't Love You Anyway' with little regard for those in close proximity and stamp their authority all over the fifth birthday bash. Moneymaker 'Baby Better Lady' signifies the River's end is near at hand but not without one last almighty swell of mastery particularly from Horner, whose command of the stage is unique and overwhelming, delivering one last swanee charge.... Let Your Love Shine On me caps a night of raw brilliance Nial Kerr, Mid Ulster Mail

- 'Swanee River owe a great deal of who they are to the past and the past owes Swanee River for upholding it at such a high standard' World Renouned songwriter, musician and record producer Tony Colton (www.tonycolton.net)

- 'If there is any justice in the world, then Swanee River should make it to the top' John Wilson of 'Taste'

- ‘Swanee River have actually perfected that old fashioned rock and roll pre-Zeppelin sound, succeeding in tricking their audience into believing they’re at a real rock concert in the 60’s, loud proud and rather sexy too’ – Juliann Campbell, Derry journal

- ‘absolutely rockin’, the best local release this year, fantastic’ – Maiden City FM 106.2

- ‘it flirts between Cream and The Small Faces….its a while before they realise what a monster they’re capable of…Stevie Horner recalls Rodgers, Marriott and even early Clapton with his range and phrasing’ –Eamon P. Keyes, Fastfude NI Music scene, CD Review,

- ‘The songs, while never straying too far from their hard-driving bluesy roots, are another of the band’s strengths, showing a maturity and relative complexity that keep them interesting and leaving you wanting to hear where things will go next. The feel good fun of ‘There Ain’t Nothing Gonna Stop Me’ and the laid back Texan swagger of ‘Travelin Man Super Band’ are the highlights for me…. Full of bounce and balls, if you like your blues rock-hard, take a trip down the Swanee River’ –Tony Talbot (Head of Music Production N.W.I.F.H.E. ex NIMIC), a CD review for the Derry Journal.

- ....this is definitely a band to keep an eye on, I can see Swanee River getting loads of airplay, selling truck-loads of albums, filling arenas and headlining festivals well beyond these Irish shores in just a few years time. Great rock'n'roll, lads - I can't wait to hear more! - Rachel Blech, music broadcaster - RTE Radio 1

- Swanee River are one of the best bands around…..they blew me away…..is there a tighter band out there? I don’t know. – Jonny Hero, Downtown Radio

- Swanee River came and took over the Queens student union… surely one of the hardest working bands in the north at the moment….. their furious live reputation goes from strength to strength – Radar Magazine