Thursday music corner: New Zealand new wave rockers The Swingers emerged in 1979 from the remnants of the Suburban Reptiles, and featured Split Enz founding member Phil Judd on guitars and vocals. Judd had left the Enz in 1977 after creative differences with Tim Finn, and his departure ushered in Tim's younger brother Neil Finn as his replacement.
With a career lasting until only 1982, The Swingers were not especially prolific, but they released one studio album (1980's Practical Jokers, which hit number 2 in the New Zealand album charts), and five singles. Four of these hit the New Zealand top 40, and one, the bona fide classic Counting the Beat, topped the pop charts in both New Zealand and Australia in 1981.
Their first single, the 1979 release One Good Reason, was a legitimate icebreaker, reaching number 19 in the notoriously conservative New Zealand pop charts. That same year The Swingers illustrated their cultural reach, both appearing in the top 40 and also contributing two tracks (Certain Sound and Baby) to the seminal punk compilation AK79. In 1991 Auckland band Strawpeople with guest vocalist Merenia covered the song - it became their second single, on their debut album Hemisphere.
The Swingers - One Good Reason (1981)
Music: The Swingers - It Ain't What You Dance, It's The Way That You Dance It (NZ #4, 1981)
Music: The Crocodiles - Tears (NZ #17, 1980)
Music: Screaming Meemees - Stars in My Eyes (NZ #18, 1983)
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