These heavy prog rockers from Sydney, otherwise known as SWAP, have returned to Emergenza Festival Australia once again in search of rock and roll glory. They look forward to smashing through the eliminatory round at The Lair next Thursday, May 29th and moving on to the later rounds. Check out our pre-show interview where we catch up with the band.

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE NAME SWAP?
The band members were searching Wikipedia for a heavy and powerful sounding band name and came across the acronym SWAP, used by the social activist group Scottish Women Against Pornography. The band thought this was hilarious and named itself after this fine upstanding institution.

WHO PLAYS WHAT IN THE BAND AND WHAT KEEPS YOU INSPIRED TO PLAY MUSIC TOGETHER AS A BAND?
The band members are Luke McDermott (guitars), Tom Lynch (guitars), Tim Butt (vocals), Pete McDermott (drums), Egon Balnožan (bass). We are inspired by quality musicianship, heavy rock and deep fried chicken with 12 herbs and spices.

IF YOU COULD DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND IN THREE WORDS, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?
Progressive, heavy, rock.

WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR MAJOR MUSICAL INFLUENCES?
Iron Maiden, Queen, Dream Theater, Dio, Steve Vai, Metallica, Sonata Arctica, basically anything that doesn’t suck.

WHAT'S THE CRAZIEST THING YOU'VE DONE TOGETHER AS A BAND?
There was a gig where Tom sliced his hand open on the guitar, spraying blood across the guitar and into the audience, and of course he played the rest of the gig. Also, there was a gig where the singer couldn’t make it, so they did a comedy set where Luke was dressed and painted up as a Smurf.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST ABOUT YOUR SHOW AT THE LAIR?
We have done gigs there before and the experience has always been great. Great sound, cool grungy atmosphere—it will be awesome.

WITH OTHER BATTLE OF THE BANDS COMPETITIONS AROUND, WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE EMERGENZA?
SWAP has played at Emergenza a few times before and greatly enjoyed each opportunity to show off their music and stage antics. We have played in the later rounds of Emergenza to a large audience previously, and being self-centered bastards who crave glory, we really enjoyed it.

For more details on the show at The Lair @ The Metro Theatre in Sydney on May 29th, click here.