| Kenny Swanger guitar and vocals This interview is by Switchgears with Kenny Swanger, lead guitarist of "The Oath" and "Party of Four" (Conducted via a series of e mails.)
Switch... How old were you, when you went into music? Kenny... I started out later than most. I received my first guitar as a birthday present when I was 18. I was lucky because, I met Lynn Ingle who was 17 and just beginning to learn the drums. So basicly we learned together. We have been performing professionally together since 1985. Switch... Were your Mom and Dad supportive? Kenny... My Dad was very supportive, and was very proud of me. He would come out to the gigs and party. I really miss him. At first my Mother thought, I was just being lazy. I think she's proud of me now, though. Switch... How did the band get it's name? Kenny... We actually have two names. Confusing? You bet. But as a rock band, we play under the name "The Oath". We actually got the name from a Canadian KISS Fan Magazine. They had gotten the name from a KISS song off the album "The Elder". We also perform as a dance oriented band under the name "Party Of Four". I came up with that name, because it sounded "loungy" and looked pretty good on Holiday Inn signs. Switch... How long have you been together as a group and everybody always wants to know, if you give nicknames to each other?
Kenny... The original line up was founded in 1983. This particular line up has been peforming together since November 2004. There have been 483 different members in this band.LOL... Well maybe that is a slight exaggeration, but you get the point. We've had more line up changes than Spinal Tap. The current line up is: Lynn Swanger on drums...aka Lynyrd (it just sounds good) Christof Dice on bass...aka Shoes (He has more shoes than Emilda Marcos), Vinnie Pritchett on rhythm guitar...aka Sparks (the electrician of the band), and me, Kenny Swanger on lead and synth guitar..I'm not sure just what the band calls me behind my back...LOL It's probably best for all concerned, that I don't know...lol Switch... Who writes your originals... music... lyrics? Kenny... I usually write the music, and Lynn usually comes up with the lyrics. But that's not always the case and it's not set in stone that way. There is always room for anyone within the band to get creative with the songwriting. We are starting to begin work on a new CD and I believe everyone will bring some great songs to the table. Switch... Where do you record? (studio) Kenny... I have a Roland 880EX that I record with at home. We will layer tracks.You can hear a song recorded by us on the Roland 880EX here: Switch... Is it easier or harder working with your wife? Kenny... I think Lynn and I work well together, but sometimes we tend to piss each other off, within the songwriting process. It can be a fun and creative experience and it can also make you want to hit yourself in the head with a brick. Switch... Who do you consider to be a great lyricist? Kenny... Good question. I'm sure I'll leave out somebody I really like, but the first lyricists that pop into my head are: Paul Simon, Jim Morrison, John Lennon, David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix. Switch... Do you ever do any comedy with your music?
Kenny.... Yes, we have done that. But the coolest thing was when we mixed the music of Aerosmiths' "Chip Away The Stone" with Janis Joplins' "Merced Benz". It worked surprisingly well.
Switch... Have you ever considered doing commercials or soundtracks?
Kenny... Sure! I think our song "Cold Beer" would be perfect for a beer commercial. I'd also LOVE to do a soundtrack to a horror film. Just send me the check baby! Switch... Who does the booking for the band? Kenny... We have worked with numerous booking agencies. At the moment however, we are handling most of the bookings by ourselves. Everybody knows us in this area and most of the time, they call me anyway.
Switch... Can you do sound effects with your guitar?
Kenny... Well, I can make some rather strange sounds on the guitar. But my personal claim to fame is that I can play a really cool version of "Wildthing" with my penis... LOL
Switch... Kenny, has anybody ever told you, that you look a little like Gene Simmons and a little like Bea Arthur?
Kenny... LOL... Well, I guess the secrets out. It was artifical insemination though and THAT was a first for Gene...lol
Switch... What can you tell us about wet tee shirt contests?
Kenny... I judged one once. The breasts were nice... I just wished the Chicks had all of their teeth. LOL Just kidding girls, I never saw your faces. lol Switch... I'm told the government is trying to trace a cosmic shift, Kenny... Did you have anything to do with that?...LOL Kenny... Switch, you're putting me on the spot, but yeah... I first became aware that my playing had caused a cosmic shift in the universe, when during a performance a girl walked up to the front of the stage, dropped her pants, bent over and took a leak. I had to announce later, "Please, no urinating on the dance floor." LOL Switch.... Any comments on ladies underwear? Kenny... Are you kidding? I Love em'! Just add water...makes a GREAT soup! Switch... Just one more thing Kenny, I heard a rumour that you had been mistaken for a well known evangelist. I won't call any names, but can you comment on that? Kenny... Switch, I know where you heard that and you tell Joe... that you just can't believe everything you read. Oh yeah and be sure to tell him, that reading in the bathroom is not considered multi tasking... lol Turn Page Return to Sound Check Index | 
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