swearing at motorists

BANDLIVESTUDIOWEBSTORE

this flag signals goodbye

released 06.04.2002

press release:

In the year and a half since Swearing at Motorists released Number Seven Uptown in 2000, the band has played over 200 shows in North America and Europe and has developed the reputation of being one of the most energetic and charismatic American bands around today, both on stage and on record. Dubbed a veritable "two-man Who" by more than one critic, this Dayton, Ohio twosome -- fronted by singer/songwriter Dave Doughman and backed by drummer Joseph Siwinski -- brings to mind Twin/Tone-era Replacements and early Elvis Costello for their ability to translate their legendarily venomous and soulful live show to record. Coming hot on the heels of the Along The Inclined Plane EP, This Flag Signals Goodbye is one of those records that will stand the test of time. Recorded by Brian McTear in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, it is vintage Motorists -- a perfect combination of compact stadium rock sing-alongs and lucid love songs that portray a character at the mercy of his own destiny. On the ol' record shelf, This Flag Signals Goodbye would sit nicely next to Whiskey Bent And Hell Bound, Hank Williams, Jr.'s dissertation on how the road and its many appetites can devour one's personal life. And it's Doughman's ability to make the personal so universal that makes his songs feel so right in about every context. It only takes one listen to this half-hour classic to be caught by its intensity and personality. In much the same way that contemporaries the White Stripes are proving that there's no novelty to a two-person band, the Motorists are proving that a guitar/drum duo can rock with the same immediacy as a traditional 3- to 5-piece rock band with a full rhythm section.

Borne of Dayton's burgeoning independent rock scene of the early '90s, the Motorists took some initial cues from locals such as Guided By Voices and the Breeders, but over the course of an ever-expanding body of work (which includes 2 full-lengths, 2 mini-albums and several singles and EPs) have evidenced that their sound is purely Swearing at Motorists, through and through. Secretly Canadian is proud to present this next chapter in the Motorists saga, This Flag Signals Goodbye.

tracks (with links to lyrics):

  1. OVER THE MIDDLE BRIDGE
  2. THIS FLAG SIGNALS GOODBYE
  3. PRESS THE NUMBER THREE
  4. DOORS ARE CLOSING
  5. FAN MAIL FOR A CRIMINAL
  6. LEAVING ADAMS MORGAN
  7. BORROWED RED BIKE
  8. DRINKING ON THE ROOF
  9. ROOM FULL OF YOU
  10. ANYTHING YOU WANT
  11. LOSING MINE
  12. THE REAL THING
  13. COLLECTING SKYLINES
  14. (IT CAME) OUT OF NOWHERE

notes:

Dave Doughman vocals, guitars, etc.
Joseph Siwinski drums
with
Brian McTear rhodes on tracks 8 & 14, banjo tracks 6 & 14
Noel Siwinski electric guitar on track 10
Todd Siwinski shaker on track 10
Kurt Wunder trumpet on track 9

Produced by Dave Doughman and Brian McTear
Recorded by Brian at MinerStreet/CycleSound, Philadelphia, PA
except track 11 recorded by Dave at Houdini Industries, Philadelphia, PA
Mastered by John Golden
Cover photo by Nalinee Darmrong
Back photo by Katrina Monta
All songs © 2002 Swearing At Motorists (BMI)
This album will sound best when played at 3/4
to maximum available undistorted volume level on sterephonic equipment.
Thank You.

cd & lp: available from secretly canadian - $12/$10

for questions or comments contact: webmaster@swearingatmotorists.com