HEAD, JOWE - Swell Maps 1972-1980

"First-ever official biography of Swell Maps, Swell Maps 1972-1980 penned by band member and co-founder Jowe Head. Swell Maps were formed in Jowe's home town of Solihull, England with various school friends in 1972.The group, also featuring the late Nikki Sudden and Nikki's brother, the late Epic Soundtracks, along with Phones Sportsman, John Cockrill, and Richard Earl emerged in the late 1970s, and are now known as legendary pioneers of what is now referred to as "alternative rock" or "post-punk" with their blend of punk rock mixed with experimental and psychedelic sounds. Together they released four 7" singles, the first in 1977 on their own Rather Records and two critically acclaimed albums in a brief but dramatic career, that led to them topping the UK independent charts, and influencing bands such as Sonic Youth, Nirvana, and Blur. After Swell Maps broke up in 1980, Jowe joined the Television Personalities. Ten years with the TVPs saw Jowe making more influential records, touring