Swing Arm geared up for ‘Silver’

Concerts
November 11, 2014
Schriever wreck kills three
November 11, 2014
Concerts
November 11, 2014
Schriever wreck kills three
November 11, 2014

Local rock group Swing Arm is set to unveil its second album titled “Silver,” signaling a new direction from “Just Another Day,” its 2007 freshman release.

“Silver” may be slightly controversial because of the heavy political influence in the songs. 


“This album is pretty much through the eyes of an experienced man and the way things are in the world today,” bassist and vocalist Grant Falgout said. “It hits on some touchy subjects.”

Falgout and fellow band members Rick Fayette, Donald Falgout and Eric Orgeron wanted “Silver” to be more than a political statement. 

“The political thing is not something we have always done,” Falgout said. “The first album was more about better feelings and we do have some songs with a positive outlook.”


Falgout and Fayette each wrote half of the songs on the 16-track album. Falgout said writing is therapeutic, allowing him to release emotions. 

“I had some friends of mine read the lyrics, and they said, ‘Damn, you’re an angry guy, huh?’ I said, ‘With all of the s— going in the world, you’re damn right I’m angry.’

“I am not always angry, but it gives me something to write about that I can pour my heart into,” Falgout added. “I always write what is bothering me, and it comes out to be my better stuff. I think this album has some of the best lyrics I have ever written out of all of the music I have done before.”


“Silver” tracks include “Can’t Live for Free,” which talks about people abusing the welfare system.  

“Accelerate” is about folks getting older and living their life the way they want. 

“ You have to. You never know when you’re going to go,” Falgout said. 


Fayette wrote a song called “Simple,” the premise of which is being able to relive life with one’s current knowledge and life experiences. 

Falgout’s passion came out when talking about the song “Take It All Away.” 

“The song is basically my view about how the government has been treating us for years,” Falgout said. “We touch base on a lot of subjects.”


The group began working on the album right after releasing “Just Another Day.” It was originally intended to be a shorter work. 

“I was ready to record this new album with eight songs,” Falgout said. “We got in to polish it up and ended up going into another writing phase.”

In addition to the lyrics, Swing Arm will also have a new sound to their music. 


“It is probably a little more modern. We have actually dropped the tuning a step down to give more of an alternative rock sound that is out now,” he said. 

“I would put it in the class of Alice in Chains. It is more of a southern grunge. It has a lot of diversity, and it doesn’t all sound the same because there are too many singers,” Falgout said.

Among the band’s other influences are Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. But Swing Arm does not want to be categorized into one sound or genre. 


“We like to pick up on what is new out there, too, as well as keeping respect for the old stuff,” Falgout said. “We make our changes along the way to keep up with the times and make us sound fresh.”

 Overall, the group is happy with the direction “Silver” reflects. 

“We feel we have a better product than the first album,” Falgout said. “We like the new sound. It has a heavier edge.”


Fans of hard core rockers Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Alice in Chains, Houma’s Swing Arm tackles American politics with its latest release, “Silver.” A CD release party is planned Nov. 22 at Matherne’s Lounge in Lockport. The show starts at 10:30 p.m.

 

COURTESY