NE HOT SEAT: SWINE TAX

This week we’re continuing our artist insight feature – ‘NE Hot Seat’ – where we sit down with some of the region’s brightest talent on a monthly basis, shine a spotlight on their latest work and find out what they have planned next.

Next up we have Newcastle alt-rockers Swine Tax, who’re already developing quite the reputation throughout the North East and beyond, with BBC Radio 1 and BBC 6 Music airplay and a glut of impressive supports slots alongside the likes of Fontaines D.C, Working Men’s Club, The Futureheads, Sorry, Pip Blom and more over the last few years.

Get to know the band below and spin their material ‘Kestrel of Sticking Dreams’ here.

Tell us a little about yourself and your career in music so far?

Swine Tax – we’re a four-piece punk / rock band from Newcastle upon Tyne. We’ve played many a gig and put out many a tune. Our signature brew of unruly guitar, pummelling rhythms, warbling synth and witty wordplay has left audiences gagging for more up and down the fraught, shivering isles of the UK.

 What can you tell us about your latest release?

We’ve just put out a singles compilation album – ‘Kestrel of Sticking Dreams’ – on Du Blonde’s DTV label. The title track is a deranged and hedonistic punk number with some rave-up synthesiser. Musically, it’s inspired by greats like The Ex, Giggs and Buzzcocks.

 What inspires you most when it comes to creating music?

Anything and everything really: late-night conversations; music; books; films; things that make us laugh; things that piss us off; things that keep us awake at night. 

 How did you find the recording process and how did it shape your sound?

Aside from the vocals we recorded everything live at Blank Studios, so that definitely helped us capture the raw energy of the performance. It’s a fun way to go about it too.

What else can we expect from you this year?

More brash bangers, hoorah!

 Where can we find you on socials and keep up to date on developments?

 Subscribe to our mailing list via swinetax.com. Follow us on Bandcamp and Spotify.

Find us @swine_tax on Instagram. Cheers dear reader.

Check out the group’s top picks from the region in their personally curated playlist below.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4KE0SlENNO8Kx6OpfBtJft?si=51afba65deb14767