Even with a seven-year gap in their existence, it’s extraordinary that Swingin’ Utters are still throwing down some of the best SoCal Punk an incredible 32 years after their formation in Santa Cruz, California. They were originally known as Johnny Peebucks and the Swingin’ Utters, fronted by the inimitable Johnny Bonnel; the name survived a move to San Francisco and the recording of their 1992 debut EP, Scared, but two years later, they eliminated Bonnel’s stage name and carried on as Swingin’ Utters.
The band’s first true full-length, 1995’s The Streets of San Francisco, was produced by Rancid guitarist Lars Frederiksen. The album earned Swingin’ Utters a slot on the first Warped Tour and the band signed with Fat Wreck Chords the following year.
Subsequently, the Utters released an album every two to three years, starting with their Fat Wreck Chords debut, 1996’s A Juvenile Product of the Working Class (a title lifted from Elton John’s “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting”). The band’s 2003 album, Dead Flowers, Bottles, Bluegrass, and Bones, marked a shift from the Clash/Sham 69/Stiff Little Fingers rocking to a Celtic Folk/Punk style. After the album, the band was largely inactive, with the musicians working on outside projects.
The band’s revival was sparked by a tribute album, 2010’s Untitled 21: A Juvenile Tribute to Swingin’ Utters, featuring the Dropkick Murphys, Cobra Skulls and Jonny Two Bags, among many others. Later that year, Swingin’ Utters returned with the Brand New Lungs EP, followed by 2011’s, Here, Under Protest. Since then, the band has released three more albums, including its latest, last year’s intensely political Peace and Love.
Last summer, Bonnel told The Big Takeover why Peace and Love turned out so politically-oriented.
"When sexism, racism and nationalism is the agenda," he said, "it’s time to speak up.”
Swingin' Utters play Northside Yacht Club this Thursday (March 21) with The Tillers, Newport Secret Six and Lost in Society. Tickets are $13 in advance (here) or $15 at the door. Showtime is 9 p.m.
