The River Swans

The River Swans were formed by Phil Clark, Steve Alder, Vince Webb and Mark Stickells in mid-1995. The desire to quit covers bands and write original material was the bands only direction - The River Swans were born.

Their first album, House of Justice, was recorded at Old Barn Recording in Hildenborough Kent; Only released and sold at gigs and via word-of-mouth, the album sold well and attracted the attention of new singer, Justine Clark, who joined making the band a five piece in mid-1997.

Justine joining the band not only gave the band an entire new direction, but it also bought the attention of record labels to the table. Both Vince and Mark left the band in mid-1998 and replaced on drums by the flamboyant Sam Pert – The River Swans were once again a four-piece.

Deciding to sign with a small independent label, Biba Music, The River Swans entered the studio once again to record their second album, Horizontal. The first fronted by Justine, the album was released in 2000 to great acclaim by Radio 1 and Radio 2 DJ’s; Steve Lamacq and Jo Wiley both saying The River Swans were the band of the future and were lined up with bands such as Embrace and Coldplay to be the sound of the millennium.

Before UK tours were embarked upon Sam Pert left in 2001 replaced by Nat Lampson and Bruce Pead. Before touring began, the band went back into the studio and recorded a 5-track EP – produced by 2T, these songs elevated the band into a more hard-edged approach to their music.