Jonathan Diener (The Swellers) | Interview 1.21.2010

After a nationwide supporting tour with Paramore, then immediately jumping on tour with Less Than Jake, The Swellers are starting to really make a name for themselves. 2009 proved to be a monumental year for the band, and included the release of their 2009 Fueled By Ramen full length ‘Ups and Downsizing’ which Alternative Press gave 4 1/2 out of 5 stars. Check out what Jonathan Diener (drums) had to say about their newly found success

Can you give a brief history of the band?

My brother (Nick) and I moved from Grand Rapids, MI across the state about 8 years ago. Our friend from GR, Nate, jammed with us and within a week we had a 3 song demo, a questionable band name, and our first show at the Flint Local 432 in Flint, MI. The name stuck as we gained a fanbase in Michigan, spread across the midwest and eventually began touring full time (while having some member changes and become a four piece band along the way). We signed to Search And Rescue Records a small Michigan label and after more DIY touring we sent demos to Fueled By Ramen and to our amazement they ended up signing us.

How was the local music scene in your hometown of Flint, MI while you were growing up?

The scene we had was really special because all of the bands were so unique. There weren’t carbon copy bands, each big band was a different genre, ska, alt-country, hardcore and we were one of the only punk bands. It all revolved around the Flint Local 432 a venue we all ended up working at for years and played tons of memorable shows there. It was our own scene, it wasn’t Detroit, it was Flint. Once the Flint Local closed down 4 years ago we had no choice but to expand. If we ever get enough money or well-known enough we’re definitely going to put all of our effort into re-opening the venue.

Who would you claim as your influences?

Our band has always been evolving. We started out wanting to play a mix between Screeching Weasel and Weezer which kind of explains our band name haha. I’d say bands from the 90s Fat Wreck Chords and Epitaph roster as well as bands like Nada Surf, Jimmy Eat World, Foo Fighters. We’re trying to bring a lot of styles together to call our own and hopefully bring a lot of people together you wouldn’t expect to see coming to the same shows. I think its crazy we can have 35 year old beard punks who would go to The Fest in Gainesville, FL and Paramore fans coming out. Its weird but surprisingly working so far.

How is your relationship with Fueled By Ramen and how was that relationship established?

We sent FBR three demos for our new album in a one sentence email. We wanted a label who wanted us because of our music, and that’s what we got. A response, some hang outs and eventually we became part of the family. Hearing them say “we don’t want you to do anything you don’t want to do, we’re signing you because we like how you are and love your music.” And that really meant a lot to me. The label puts out like 8 releases a year and puts a ton of focus into each one. Everyone at the label we consider friends and its really cool being that “different” band compared to our labelmates. We come from a completely different world and I think the fact we HAD to do everything ourselves for years makes everything much easier for them. We chime in even when we don’t need to and its always welcomed by them. Its weird being this stoked with a label.

How did the band get brought onto the latest Paramore tour?

We were friends with Hayley’s roommate, Hannah, and actually spent the night at their apartment after playing to virtually no one in Nashville. The next morning Ryan (guitar) put a huge Swellers sticker on Hayley’s car and when she saw it Hannah showed her our new songs. She was very into it and wrote us saying she wasn’t even mad and wanted to keep the sticker on. We informed her we were actually already talking to people at FBR and she helped us out a ton. Then once we found out they had a CD release tour it just all fell into place. A new band to the label releasing an album the same day and on the same tour as Paramore… It was almost too perfect and we had an amazing time. Not many bands get to experience what we experienced daily on that tour and we wouldn’t trade it for anything. From Taco Bell to Catering everyday. We’re back to “5 Dollar Foot Longs” again, though.

What was the overall reaction from the fans?

On twitter someone wrote “Pete Wentz changed The Swellers!” We’ve never met the dude, aren’t on his label, and self-funded our record before any labels even talked to us, so…

A ton of people were already familiar with us on that tour because Hayley was stoked and talked about us a lot all over. It was really awesome. Immediately after that we had a tour with Less Than Jake and The Casualties and kids were awesome to us on that too. Paramore to The Casualties in a day… Definitely full circle.

What are your plans for 2010?

2010 is starting on the My Dinosaur Life Tour with Motion City Soundtrack, Set Your Goals and This Providence. After that we get to tour Europe and the UK for the first time and we’re beyond stoked! Also doing half of Warped Tour this summer and its going to be way too much fun. Along the way we’re shooting a video for our next single “Sleeper” and releasing “Ups and Downsizing” on vinyl. We’re already booked into August… That’s crazy, right?

Anything else?

We’re just all very stoked on everything happening for our band and can’t wait to play all over the world. New songs are already in the works and who knows when we’ll have a new album ready! I guess we have to tour on this one for a while, though. We want to make our label proud and plan on selling DOZENS of albums for them! I think that’s a gold record in the music industry nowadays.