The International Swingers - The Lexington London 19th July 2013

The International Swingers performed their live UK (and indeed European) debut at The Lexington in London on Friday. It was a gig with a difference, rather than go for a bigger venue they decided on a low key event for friends and family with fans having the opportunity to win these exclusive tickets via answering questions on the bands Facebook page. It was an amazing night, very relaxed and the Swingers were on fire and had obviously come to party!

The Rebelles opened (Tracie Hunter, Phoebe White & Anna Randall) who describe themselves as a punk harmony trio and were great, only a half hour set that seemed to fly past all too soon with renditions of classics such as "Pretty Vacant", "Teenage Kicks" and "Should I Stay Or Should I Go?" Tracie and Phobe would return to the stage to join The International Swingers singing "All The Young Dudes" made famous by Tracie's dad Ian with Mott The Hoople - this apparently wasn't planned they just joined in!

Check out the band at http://www.rebellesmusic.com/ and via Facebook and Twitter and definitely see them if you get the chance!

The Rebelles

Tracie Hunter

Phobe White

Anna Randall

The Swingers set was a mix of original material....including the 3 tracks made available on their site "FBI", "Live Wire" and "Gun Control" and re-workings of tracks from their respective bands including a storming version of Blondies "Call Me" and the obligatory "Pretty Vacant" which went down a storm. Clem even sings on one of the songs from his days in The Romantics as well as trying to see if he has a possible career doing stand up! The rest of the set is made up of inspired covers such as The Monkees "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" - Americas first punk band as the Swingers would have it!

There will still be a wait for the album but considering the band was put together as a way of "getting a free holiday in Australia" we are lucky to have them progressing and bearing fruit with quality material of their own. As James is now with The Cult for the Electric 13 tour it may be a while before we see the album or more dates but hopefully next time more people will get the chance to see them - whenever it is the wait will definitely be worth it.