Video
Paramore's Pick: Swellers Unplug at SPIN Office
Hand-picked for Paramore's tour, the Michigan quartet explain how they got Hayley Williams' attention with a friendly act of vandalism.
By Peter Gaston 10.23.09 7:28 AM
Flint, Michigan, quartet the Swellers aren't the first aspiring rock outfit to try something crazy to land their big break. While they were performing Wednesday at SPIN's NYC office, Swellers frontman Nick Diener revealed how a giant bumper sticker helped his band work their way into the heart of Paramore singer Hayley Williams:
"We saw Hayley's car, with a bunch of band stickers all over it. [Guitarist] Ryan [Collins] decided it would be a good idea to get one of the Swellers stickers [which are massive] and put it on the back of her car. We had never met Hayley before. We had no idea if she'd ever heard of our band or anything.
"A couple weeks later, we heard that she found the sticker and loved it," Diener continued. "She already had our record and stuff. And thus began the most beautiful friendship on earth!"
The Swellers, who are opening the Paramore tour through Nov. 11, share Williams' label; their Fueled by Ramen debut, Ups & Downsizing, is out now. Next, they'll open for Less Than Jake's nationwide jaunt through the end of 2009.
Their four-song set at SPIN provided a taste of the band's uber-catchy pop-punk, led by Diener's gutsy wail -- and spiced up by drummer (and brother) Jonathan Diener's percussive touch on the salt shaker.
Watch the performance here and tell us whether you'd slap a Swellers sticker on your car!
i love them. one of my favorite bands. amazing live
When I ordered my Paramore shirts I got a Swellers sticker and slapped it onto my French binder for school along with a Paramore sticker. :-D
so sexy and sultry
I love these guys :) I bought their CD off iTunes a couple weeks before I saw them in Chicago with Paramore. Met them afterwards, best guys around! :) Hoping they come to Atlantic Canada sometime!
I heard of The Swellers because of Hayley Williams' Twitter account. Paramore is my favorite band, but these guys are now right up there with them. Love these guys.
Also, totally agree Jasmine. Halifax FTW!
it bums me out that everyone knows of the swellers cause of paramore and twitter. Although I'm glad people are listening to them at all.
I've been listening to these guys for about 5 years and their music is so good. It's energetic, catchy, heart felt and I've hung out with the guys. They're awesome people and real friendly. I can't wait till they come back to Seattle.
STORE BOUGHT HEROS!!!
ha!
-Tyler
I love how people are gonna get into The Swellers cause of Paramore, I got into them through a band called Much The Same myself. To beautiful friendships!
i used to see these guys play at Fenton Community center years ago, awesome then great now.
I wish Nick Diener would tickle me. Now that would be an awesome friendship!!!
for the record, I have had a Swellers sticker on my car since My Everest came out. Sweet Brag.
3 words: suburbcore black t-shirt
Who cares how people have found out about this band. I found out about them via twitter and I really don't think it would have made much different if I had found out about them in any other way.
Chill and enjoy the music!
i got to buy these guys lunch when they came to play at northern michigan university when they were still playing songs from 'the beginning of the end again'. awesome guys, and great music.
Personally, I think these guys are a bit over-ambitious. They should tone it down a bit, and then they'll be great. Right now, they sound early-Less Than Jake, which I'm pretty sure is why they're playing with them. The lead singer may need some projection lessons, because from his facial expressions, he looked like he was gasping for air. Also, the video is out of sync.
The Swellers are an awesome band and im so happy that they're getting the attention they deserve. I think the question is who wouldnt put a swellers bumper sticker on your car?
anto is so fucking awkward in this video
i think that anyone that has ANYTHING negative to say about the swellers? probably have NONE musical talent themself and dont knowww what the eff they are talking about . . amazing guys. fun, punk rock . . and if you are comparing them to an older band than you obviously havent moved on and need to yourself sonnnn . . they are fresh as fuck. and fuck is what ima do to your mom. KEEP IT COMING SWELLERS! THIS HIT RECORD IS THE FIRST OF MANY!! Feet First= amazing . . every song from my everest . . makes me horny
anyone who ever has anything to say . . . i would just loveeee to hear your music!!! i mean you know how to write songs and cut records right?? eat shit and APPRECIATE! Thanks! I Love The Swellers . . . nick and jono death for life
Love the swellers, I remember playing frisbee with them outside the flint local about 5 years ago. Amazing group of guys, amazing music.
Got something to say?