Swellbox - Post-Op
SWELLBOX is:
WAYNE HENNECKE - BASS
ED LARSON - VOCALS
MYKE ROGAN - GUITARS
JOE TUFANO - DRUMS
With a strong drive and unbridled enthusiasm, one would never guess that Swellbox’s experience together spans over six years. After sharing multiple highs and lows associated with their lives, they grew into a family where Swellbox formed into an integral support system. After six years of growing musically and personally, Swellbox’s emotionally driven, heavy music continues to be taken to a new level. Looking back at the band’s history, the four musicians truly can be considered one strong unit.
Swellbox first picked up their instruments together in March 1998 when a mutual friend introduced Myke Rogan, lead guitarist, to Ed Larson, lead singer. Ed knew a drummer, Joe Tufano, from jamming periodically, and Myke already jammed with a bassist, Wayne Hennecke. All four wanted to start a band and saw that they cliqued musically and had fun working together. The band soon grew to no longer be a recreational hobby, but a true source and outlet of inspiration.
“When I first decided to be in a band, I just wanted to meet girls,” Wayne said. “Then I realized how the four of us are meant to make music together. Music became an outlet for me when jamming with Swellbox."
Even though the band went on a temporary hiatus in 2000 due to different members moving out of the state, each musician saw that they did not have the same chemistry with the new projects and bands as they did in Swellbox.
“Swellbox was always a comfort for me,” Joe said. “It’s safe. That’s why I’m back. There is this amazing feeling when we are all together. There is a certain unexplainable vibe that no other band can substitute for me.”
With a strong spirit and a unique sound, Swellbox continues to musically push themselves after almost six years. Although each member found himself facing adversity while growing up, the band used music as their sounding board not only to help release their emotions but to send a message or tell a story to their listeners.
“Music gives us a way to say everything and let the world read our diary,” Myke said. “Practice is our dinner table conversation where we can all come together and have a common understanding where we can create music that will truly speak to our fans.”
Most importantly, Swellbox wants their fans to be able to relate to the issues and subjects within their music. The band has proved to be therapeutic for each member, but the fans are an integral reason why Swellbox continues to step on stage.
“I want the fans to feel as if they learned something new about themselves,” Ed said. “They need to understand that other people in the world feel the same way as they do.”