Swell Maps - The John Peel Sessions

Label: Mute

Reissued 9/26/2025

Noisy, chaotic, and defiantly experimental, Swell Maps may not have found commercial success in their time, but their impact on music is undeniable, they went on to be an inspiration to bands such as R.E.M., Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr., Pavement, The Pastels, Stereolab, and Nirvana (Kurt Cobain was often seen sporting a Swell Maps t-shirt). A democracy within the confines of punk’s “anything is possible” maxim, members Biggles Books, Jowe Head and brothers Nikki Sudden and Epic Soundtracks, helped shape the landscape of post-punk and DIY music. The John Peel Sessions brings together all three of their recordings for John Peel’s sessions – from October ’78, May ’79, and March ’80 – that were originally broadcast on his show on BBC Radio 1, a vital document of Swell Maps at their most unfiltered - three sessions of unpredictable, exhilarating noise.

Track Listing:

1. International Rescue - 16/10/78
   
2. Harmony in Your Bathroom - 16/10/78
   
3. Read About Seymour - 16/10/78
   
4. Another Song - 16/10/78
   
5. Full Moon / Blam!! / Full Moon (Reprise) - 16/10/78
   
6. Armadillo - 15/5/79
   
7. Vertical Slum / Forest Fire - 15/5/79
   
8. Midget Submarines - 15/5/79
   
9. Bandits One Five - 15/5/79
   
10. Big Empty Field - 18/3/80
    
11. Bleep And Booster Come Round For Tea / Secret Island - 18/3/80
    
12. Let's Buy a Bridge - 18/3/80
    
13. Helicopter Spies / A Raincoat's Room - 18/3/80