The International Swingers to tour SoCal

The International Swingers are a rock and roll group of the most electric individuals (Clem Burke-Blondie, Glen Matlock-Sex Pistols and Faces, James Stevenson-Generation X and Gary Twinn-Speedtwinn) to ever to share the same stage.

Inductee members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and proprietors of rock and roll battlefield scars, The International Swingers are warriors of the punk/new wave/glam era who led onslaughts upon the pop charts with hit songs (despite being infamously banned from the radio).

Glen Matlock is best known for his indelible contributions to rock and roll history as the original Sex Pistols bass player and songwriter. Glen has worked with the Godfather of punk, Iggy Pop, The Damned, and rock-a-billy's Robert Gordon. While pursuing his own distinctive direction where melodic and inventive rock music thrives, Glen toured with the resurrected Sex Pistols and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, along with Blondie. In 2010 Glen released "Born Running,” arguably his finest, and also joined the reformed Faces as bassist.

Clem Burke is the legendary drummer for Blondie. Clem remained with Blondie since its inception and later returned for its reunion and extensive 2009 - 2011 tour. While Blondie was on hiatus in the 80s and 90s, Clem performed with folk icon Bob Dylan, Eurythmics, Iggy Pop, Joan Jett, country star Wanda Jackson, Nancy Sinatra, The Romantics, Pete Townshend, Dramarama, and The Fleshtones, amongst others. Clem's signature beats have been ingrained in pretty much every vein of rock and roll history. He even had short gig as a drummer for The Ramones, as "Elvis Ramone.” Clem was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 along with his other Blondie bandmates.

James Stevenson got his first taste of playing guitar professionally when he joined punk band Chelsea in March 1977 whilst still at school. While gigging only a few weeks in England, this baptism of fire stood him in good stead for a lifelong career as a guitarist. James has brought his distinctive rock n' roll guitar sound to the rescue and revival of many, including Billy Idol's Generation X, The Cult, The Alarm and Gene Loves Jezebel (becoming a permanent GLJ member and co-writer of hit songs such as "Jealous”). In the 80's - thanks to MTV - James was somewhat of a heart throb with his wild guitar wielding on Kim Wilde's "Kids In America” video which made the Gibson Les Paul his trade mark.

Gary Twinn spent his teenage years in Australia where he was singer for glam/punk rockers Supernaut. After making a mark with chart topping songs, such as "I Like It Both Ways", a gold album and several TV awards for best new band and video performance, Gary returned to the UK and formed Twenty Flight Rockers with Mark Laff of Generation X. Gary hit the California rockabilly scene with Honeydippers and later, among other escapades, teamed up with Ratt Scabies, Glen Matlock and Derwood Andrews and formed the group Dead Horse. Gary and Derwood also wrote and recorded together as the critically acclaimed Speedtwinn.

In the summer of 2011, Australian promoter Bicci Henderson rang up Gary, and after a glass or two of red wine with soon-to-be bandmates, the idea for The International Swingers was conceived. Taking a hand-full of songs from each players respective back catalogue, and performing them all as "stripped down barebones” rock and roll, The International Swingers performed a secret warm up show in Los Angeles, and then left the next day for a sold out Australian tour. New songs have been written and recorded, some of which (such as "Honey's Room” and "Sweet Sweet Love”) will be debuted on the up coming West Coast Tour.


Tour Dates:

June 22 Fri Los Angeles Farmers Market, 6333 West 3rd Street,
Los Angeles, CA 90036, (323) 933-8446

June 23 Sat Reseda Webers Place, 19312 Vanowen Street
Reseda, CA 91335 (818) 343-4345

June 24 Sun San Francisco Red Devil Lounge, 1655 Polk Street,
San Francisco, CA 94109 (415) 921-1695

June 25 Mon San Luis Obispo SLO Brew, 1119 Garden Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (805) 543-1843

June 26 Tue Santa Barbara Whiskey Richards, 435 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 963-1786

June 28 Thu San Diego Brick By Brick, 1130 Buenos Avenue
San Diego, CA 92110 (619) 276-3993

June 29 Fri Palm Desert The Hood, 74360 Hwy. 111
Palm Desert, CA 92260 (760) 636-5220

June 30 Sat Huntington Beach Fitzgeralds, 19171 Magnolia Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92646 (714) 968-4523