A SWORD STORY
Based out of
the greater Cincinnati Ohio area, SWORD was
influenced by the music of many hard rock bands. Grand Funk
Railroad, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Rush, Journey, Van
Halen and Kansas, just to name a few. Their music is as diverse as
it is original. On one hand, they rock their way into your head,
while on the hand, their softer side conquers your heart. In a
word...
SWORD is
Double-Edged Solid Rock!
Music of
purpose and destiny,
WAKE THE
DEAD!
In 1978,
Mike
Boyer and
Ed
Vicars, who had
previously played in high school bands together, decided it was time
to express what was burning in their own hearts, rather than just settle
to cover other bands' music . That desire drove them to form
SWORD. That
same drive and burning desire is stronger than ever and it is obvious that
the flame is only getting higher!!!
Through out
the many years, some active and some inactive, Mike and Ed have been
fortunate to share the stage with many fine musicians. In the beginning,
it was three piece, and that was good!
Ross
Winslow
was
introduced and SWORD was born!
Ross shouldered the drums and percussions, while adding his vocals to the
mix.
1980
thru1981, Scott
Denham added his
guitar, synthesizer, song writing and background vocals to
broadening the sound and expanded SWORD musically
as well as physically. For some time now, many people in south west Iowa
call him, Pastor Scott!
Shortly
after Scott joined, SWORD
hit the
studio and recorded their first demo. And it was also good!
Dave Herold
came on
board in 1981, filling the void on drums. Dave left for a short time and
then returned in early 1983. He also umped aboard 1n 1998 to performed at
SWORDS reunion concert. And it sure felt good!
(Can you
believe that Dave is now a police officer?)
During this
same time frame, Bob Herbert joined our ranks as sound engineer. He also had a strong back and
throws a mean Frizby! This gave him great job security. (Just
joking)
Once
again, 1981, SWORD is three
piece and Lee Caldwell
completes
the trio on drums. She laid down the drums on their second recording
venture and toured with them until 1983. Lee is currently
playing in a trio from Cincinnati, Ohio, "Just The
Band
".
1983 Dave
returns on drums and in early 1984 SWORD
agrees
that family needs must be priority and disbands. And it was really
hard!
Mike and Ed
stayed in close contact during the years that passed. Knowing, deep down,
that they still have unfinished business! 1996 begins their come back!
Mike begins designing a home studio which re-ignites their dreams
and re-kindles their desires. During the next couple years
they begin to re-write and record their music.
In
1998, Dave Harold
joins them
to perform at a benefit concert for a local radio station, in Hamilton,
Ohio. Dubbed their "Reunion Concert", many of their fans attend and excitedly listen as the
trio pound out the updated old favorites.
SWORD is
back! And it feels good!
One by one,
the old songs are updating and new songs are written. Mikes'
son, Aaron
Boyer,
jumps in on drums, as SWORD
considers
their direction and begins recording their new music. Aaron also sits in
at a local coffee house,
"The Lions Den".
1999 Aaron hooks up with another group doing a
completely different style of music. And then, low and behold
Tony
Gonzalez crashes
into the picture. Tony quickly jumps into the thick of things. His
drumming skills are highlighted by his excitement and the
common musical ground they share. Almost immediately they perform together
and SWORD rocks
again!
And it sure
feels good!
That brings us to the year 2002. SWORD has
completed their re-union CD, titled "MT.
10:34".
Hopefully you will give it a listen! It is dramatically different than
what you are hearing on the radio today and sure to bring a smile to the
faces of those who enjoy heart pounding, bone shaking, head banging rock
& roll. And you guessed it . . .
IT SURE
IS GOOD!
There are so many others that gave of themselves freely, you know who you
are !
GOD BLESS
YOU ALL!
SWORD CD is still available. To get a copy you can email:
swordsguitar@hotmail.com. Please address this ATTEN: SWORD CD.
