Swans Members, Gear & Sound

US art rock/post‐punk band

Genre

Rock Alternative rock Art rock Experimental rock Avant-garde Post-rock Post-punk Industrial rock Noise rock Dream pop Freak folk Gothic rock No wave Art pop Drone Experimental Industrial drone metal

Members

Select a Swans band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

Michael Gira

Roles:

Singer Guitarist

Groups:

Glenn Branca Ensemble The Body Lovers The Angels of Light

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Norman Westberg

Roles:

Guitarist

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Christoph Hahn

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

The Angels of Light

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Christopher Pravdica

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

Human Impact

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Bill Rieflin

Roles:

Drummer Keyboardist

Groups:

King Crimson KMFDM R.E.M. Ministry Pigface Revolting Cocks Lard Pailhead 1000 Homo DJs Jakalope 'Snots Dark Load Robyn Hitchcock & the Venus 3 Sweet 75 Filthy Friends Acid Horse The Angels of Light Land Seattle Guitar Circle Slow Music The Petty Tyrants The Humans Blackouts The Bells The Minus 5

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Dana Schechter

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Keyboardist

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Sue Hanel

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Glenn Branca Ensemble

Needs more gear

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Jarboe

Roles:

Singer

Needs more gear

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Algis Kizys

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

Glenn Branca Ensemble

Needs more gear

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Anton Fier

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

The Feelies Pere Ubu Richard Hell & The Voidoids Herbie Hancock (band) The Rockit Band Locus Solus Two Against One The Styrenes The Lodge Gestalt et Jive Blind Light Flying Mijinko Band The Big Guns Divination Autonomous Zone X-X Electric Eels F.O.E Longhouse Peter Brötzmann Tentet Tokyo Rotation K2 The Lounge Lizards The Golden Palominos

Needs more gear

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Toby Dammit

Roles:

Music Producer

Needs more gear

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Ted Parsons

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Godflesh Jesu Prong Dubadelic

No gear added

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Vincent Signorelli

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Unsane A Storm of Light

No gear added

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Roli Mosimann

Roles:

Music Producer

No gear added

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Bill Bronson
No gear added

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Algis Kiyzs

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist

Groups:

Glenn Branca Ensemble

No gear added

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About

Swans is an avant-garde rock band hailing from the intense and experimental scene of New York City. Formed in 1982 by the enigmatic Michael Gira (vocals, guitar), the group has seen a revolving lineup that has included key members like Norman Westberg (guitar) and Jarboe (vocals, keyboards). Swans' music defies easy categorization, blending elements of post-punk, noise rock, industrial, and post-rock to create a sound that is both chaotic and hypnotic. Their evolving style has taken them from the abrasive textures of their early work to more atmospheric and melodic compositions, all while maintaining a reputation for powerful and immersive live performances.

How to Sound Like Swans

Swans' sound is characterized by its dense, visceral layers and a penchant for creating a brooding, immersive sonic landscape. Their music often alternates between dissonant, high-intensity noise and haunting, ambient passages. Gira's use of the Gibson B.B. King Lucille Semi-Hollow Guitar contributes to the band's rich, resonant tones, while Westberg's Boss DS-1 Distortion helps carve out their aggressive, grinding soundscapes. The interplay of thunderous bass lines and minimalist percussion further enhances their heavy, hypnotic grooves. Swans' music is a study in contrasts—raw power intertwined with moments of eerie tranquility, encouraging musicians to explore the extremes of dynamics and emotional depth.

Discography

Filth

1983

Feel Good Now (2020 Remaster)

1987

The Burning World

1989

Great Annihilator

1995

Various Failures

1999

Filth / Body To Body, Job to Job

2000

Soundtracks For The Blind

2001

Children of God/World of Skin

2003

Swans Are Dead: Live '95-'97

2003

My Father Will Guide Me Up A Rope To The Sky

2010

We Rose From Your Bed With The Sun In Our Head

2011

The Seer

2012

To Be Kind

2014

Cop / Young God

2015

Greed / Time Is Money (Bastard)

2015

Holy Money / A Screw

2015

Public Castration Is A Good Idea

2015

Love of Life (Deluxe)

2015

White Light from the Mouth of Infinity

2015

The Glowing Man

2016

The Great Annihilator (Remastered)

2017

leaving meaning.

2019

The Beggar

2023

Birthing

2025

Get the Swans Sound

Want to sound like Swans? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.