The Wild Swans in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - The long wait is over. The Wild Swans will perform live at the Waterfront Hotel & Casino in Lahug, Cebu on Sept. 30 and at the One Esplanade, SM Mall of Asia, Oct. 1.

The Wild Swans was formed in 1980 and led by Paul Simpson after his stint with Julian Cope’s band, The Teardrop Explodes. The original line-up consisted of Jeremy Kelly (guitarist), Ged Quinn (keyboards) and on bass, Joseph Fearon (after a succession of bass players) and on drums, they ended with Echo and The Bunnymen’s drummer, the late Pete de Freitas which spun their first assertion in the music scene, Revolutionary Spirit.

Kelly left and formed the Lotus Eaters with ex-Jass Babies vocalist, Peter Coyle. Simpson then partnered with Ian Broudie and formed a short lived project fondly remembered as Care which churned hits like My Boyish Days, Flaming Sword and Whatever Possessed You.

Simpson and Broudie separated which led Simpson to resurrect The Wild Swans again with Kelly on guitars which brought forth memorable hits like Bringing Home The Ashes, Young Manhood and Bible Dreams from their album which is the same as the title track, Bringing Home The Ashes.

Their second album, Spaceflower, saw the departure of Kelly and Quinn and Ian Broudie reunites with his former Care mate to play the guitars and the keyboards. Ian McNabb (Icicle Works) provided the additional vocals and guitar while Joseph Fearon still prodded on the bass. Chris Sharrock (Icicle Works) was on drums. The album spurned hits Melting Blue Delicious, Chocolate Bubblegum and Tangerine Temple.

Counting 20 years in the future after Simpson’s solo project, Skyray, The Wild Swans resurrects for the third time with Ricky Rene Maymi (Brian Jonestown Massacre/The Triffids/Steve Kilbey of The Church), Les Pattinson (Echo and The Bunnymen), Mike Mooney, Stuart Mann and Richard Turvey and with a new album, The Coldest Winter For A Hundred Years which flouted hits like Liquid Mercury, English Electric Lightning and In Secret.

The Wild Swans latest album is definitely edgier and guitar laden without much of the angst of today’s music compared to the last two albums yet without loosing that poetic lyric that Simpson has been made famous for.

The Wild Swans may have been bloodied but their heads remain unbowed and can truly ride the crest in today’s music. Paul Simpson is his own influence in music.

The concert is produced by DMC Philippines under the helm of promoter Jesse Gonzales, former station manager and OIC of DWXB 102. It is presented by Mossimo Music, Oxford Suites, Revicon, Handle Bar, MYX, Magic 89.9, EasyRock 96.3FM, Hard Rock Café, DC Audio Rythmix Lights & Sounds, Gweilos Bar, RM. 526 International Manila, Lumilites, Dig Radio, Manila Concert Scene, Chevrolet, Business Mirror and Manila Times,

For details, call SM Tickets at 470-2222; TicketWorld, 891-9999 and Waterfront Hotel. Tickets are priced at P3,500 (VIP), P2,500 (Gold), and P1,500 (Silver). Free limited edition T-shirts are given to the first 200 VIP ticket buyers.