Swampdawamp was formed in the Spring of 2006 when singer/songwriter Gig Michaels, guitarist Marty Hill, and drummer David Lee recorded a slate of new songs in their recording studio in Charlotte, North Carolina. After mixing and mastering the demo disc, Michaels sent it to producer Joe Boyland, who immediately agreed to produce the band. While recording songs at Seventeen Grand Studios, The band added B3 and piano player Duke Rivers. A little later, Robbie Hegler became the new bass player and guitarist Michael Hough completed the band.

Gig Michaels started writing songs when he picked up his first guitar at 16. He honed his songwriting, guitar, and on-stage skills with the band he formed named Jeddidiah Train, a blues-influenced rock band. Gig then moved on to Nashville where he wrote and sang on the debut CD of Plain James, a band he formed with drummer Charlie Adams. Later he returned home to Charlotte and began forming Swampdawamp. On the Album, Gig plays with an Ibanez AE Series, a Taylor T5 and a 1945 Martin.

Marty Hill began playing at age 10. As a young player, he developed his distinctive style and unique sounds earning him a stellar. He co-founded a band named Phantom Park that enjoyed widespread regional success and played with artists such as Jefferson Starship and Steppenwolf. After playing with the famous cover band SuperGlide, Marty became part of Swampdawamp and lent his unique style to Gig's soulful compositions. On the Album Marty played with a Gibson Les Paul Standard, A Gibson Deluxe, a Gibson 356, a Gibson ES 335, a Gibson Reverse Firebird, a Gibson J200, a Fender Stratocaster, a Fender Telecaster, and a Dobro.

Duke Rivers studied classical music as a young musician and was accepted to the prestigious Juilliard School of Music, but turned it down to become one of the most renowned session players in New York. He played on many popular recordings and loved his work with Patrick Moraz and James "Blood" Ulmer. He dedicated himself to blues on the B3 while collaborating with his world famous friend Jimmy Smith. After playing various venues from New York to Los Angeles, Duke joined Swampdawamp where he would let his talent shine. In addition to the B3, Duke's hot piano solos are all over the album. On the album Duke played with a '56 B3, Hamptone EQ+Trek Reverb. Additional organs: '65 B3 duel Generator, '59 Original Leslie 147, Hamptone EQ's by Bill Brown, Yamaha P90 and a Steinway Baby Grand.

Michael Hough began playing guitar and writing songs at the age of 13. As a young player he became part of Sugar Creek aka "The Creek." The Creek was voted by national Colleges as the number one rock attraction on the east coast. When Swampdawamp went looking for another guitarist, Michael was a natural fit. Michael and Marty played together in SuperGlide and both are now members of Swampdawamp. On the Album, Michael played with a Fender Stratocaster, a Fender Telecaster and a Takamine Acoustic.

Robbie Hegler picked up his bass at 13 and was playing for audiences the following year. He played with The Creek for three years and then joined The Fantastic Shakers, known as the "South's Finest Show Band". He became one of the finest players in the Southeast. On the Album, Robbie played with a Spector Euro 5LX.

David Lee began studying classical piano as a child. He got his first drum set at age 12 and began playing professionally a few years later with various Charlotte bands like My Three Sons and Simon Sez, building on the early lessons that made him a musician. Now, David works tirelessly to promote Swampdawamp's fantastic debut release. David Lee plays with custom Tama Artstar II's using 4 different snares through out the album. The exception to this was "Miss Becky", on which no "drums" were used - He put a mic on an Anvil guitar case for the "bass drum", and a 60's Supro guitar cab turned up on its side with a tambourine jangle loosely set on top for the snare. He wore leather gloves and beat the hell out of them! They are nicknamed "Thigpen Boxes".

There's nothing complex about SwampdaWamp's self-titled debut; these are simple, straightforward songs about down-home, down-to-earth things, and nary a song goes by without mentioning alcohol, cars, women or good times with good friends. Lead vocalist Gig Michaels cites influences such as Lynyrd Skynyrd and Joe Cocker, and the band's Myspace page also lists The Black Crows, Kid Rock, Louis Armstrong and others. Produced by Joe Boyland (Lynyrd Skynrd, B Co., Nazareth), the CD is a veritable jambalaya of Southern rock, funk and a little but of everything else, just for kicks.

"Miss Becky" and "Blind, Crippled, and Crazy" cover both sides of the "songs about women" spectrum, with the former being more lighthearted (both musically and lyrically), and the latter being more heartfelt and sincere as Gig pleads with his girl to "stay inside and make love all day." Friends and family are also common themes here; "I'm Feelin' Saturday" is a tribute to partying it up, with passing references to Cabo Wabo and bar rooms, and "Sunday Southern Tradition" name checks everything from grease pits to NASCAR as it conjures up images of barbecuing in the back yard. Even "The River", a song about suicide, represents death through the common image of one less plate on the kitchen table. One notable thematic exception is "Tastes Like Chicken to Me", which contrary to what the title might suggest is actually a more serious statement about flooding in New Orleans, and one more reason to knock one back in memory of bad times that have passed us by.

Track List:

01 - I'm Feelin' Saturday
02 - Sometimes
03 - Birthday
04 - Blind Crippled And Crazy
05 - Backporch
06 - The River
07 - Sunday Southern Tradition
08 - Miss Becky
09 - Little Pill Called The Truth
10 - Tastes Like Chicken To Me

Download includes front cover