We all know how the city of Philadelphia celebrates the Fourth of July. The former capital of the United States knows how to throw a P.C. party, there’s always the fireworks (because what red-blooded American doesn’t love to see shit blow up), and this year’s Penn’s Landing concert included funky middle-ager favorites the Ohio Players.
But how did Philly’s Indie scene show their patriotism? How did those of us slightly skeeved by the idea of half of South Philly’s population all jammed into the riverside wearing wife-beaters and bad sunburns from their recent trips “down the shore” show our stars and stripes? By hitting the Khyber to catch a very patriotic set by Poconos popsters The Sw!ms and to sign the very important Declaration of Awesome (a giant piece of what will become rock history, a Dec of Independence knock-off held by the band and signed by members of the crowd onstage.)
As if their reputation for being able to whip a crowd of too-cool-for-schoolers into a dancing frenzy wasn’t enough, the Sw!ms can now be known for their ability to throw a wicked birthday party for the U.S.A. Almost a full scale production from bassist Matt Walsh’s powdered wig to Phillip Price playing keys in a military uniform, the Sw!ms brought their usual energy along with an unusual amount of props to make a rock celebration that rivals anything Live Nation could muster up down by the Delaware.
Fourth of July has an image of strength and rebellion associated with the famous words of famous men such as “Give me liberty or give me death!”, but I’m proposing a new motto to be synonymous with the greatest national summer holiday: said Sw!ms singer Brian Langan to his rapt audience of fireworks-scorners and PBR drinkers, “It’s the Fourth of July. I’m wearing a shirt that’s too tight, my gut’s hanging out, and I want to see some dancing!”
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July 24th, 2006 at 12:30 pm
sw!mzzzzzzzzzz