Biography

Standing in the wings of the Summit NJ prestigious Second Saturday Open Mic Night waiting to perform last April of 2007, Joanne Calabrese and Laurie Swerlin were,well, bemused by all the kids diddling around with expensive guitars "like they were pushing around mops." In that moment, The Swippers got their moniker (tweaked delicately to avoid trademark infringement), and a longtime musical partnership was reignited.
Featuring Calabrese on rhythm guitar and vocals and Swerlin on lead guitar and backup, the northern New Jersey-based Swippers meld the songwriting and folk heritage of The Indigo Girls, the ease of Bonnie Raitt, and the jangly pop melodies of The Pretenders or Chris Isaak. Gorgeous pop songs about life and love--the delirium and the lows, the seriousness and the absurd--delivered in Calabrese's smooth, dusky yet tender vocals have been the vehicles that expressed her brilliant pop songwriting rich tones that make listeners nostalgic for their own pasts and completed by Swerlin’s unyieldingly confident and decidedly extraordinary guitar work. The Swippers, whose members have been rocking together under various auspices since 1980 including percussionist Linda Lambiase, who joins in on the djembe and backing vocals, are clearly doing all the pushing these days. The most recent addition to their merry little group is bassist, Ed Seifert, who adds to the harmony and good spirits this band evokes from the stage.
Recent Performances
The Crossroads Garwood NJ, The Stanhope House Stanhope NJ, The Riverspace Arts Center Nyack NY (opening for Lea DeLaria), The Watchung Arts Center Watchung NJ (opening for Tret Fure in 2007 and Ellis in 2008), Highlands Peace Festival w/ Sonia and Disappear Fear, Music at the Mission West Milford NJ, Here’s to the Arts Maplewood NJ.
Discography
“SPIN” 2008 Indie Release now available through CD Baby.

Contact: The_Swippers@yahoo.com