Fade Forward

This 'band' comprises only two individuals. Steve Garton is the music wiz, concert pianist, lead guitarist, and equipment source. I (Mike Swogger) am the vocalist and drummer, organist, prog-head, and writer of lyrics and much of the music. I certainly push the prog-approach and Steve somehow turns a lot of the messes I write into something playable. We'll also occasionally have jam sessions we'll record and later I'll find something that really works well. Since Steve is the guitar player and I only play piano by ear, those sessions are so necessary to keep things fresh. Either that or I'll come up with something weird and keyboard-playable in my head and immediately have to get it recorded so I won't forget. Then Steve will make it feasible on guitar, somehow. While the lyrics sometimes show Christian themes, I see them to be more spiritual and introspective. A friend of mine said much of what I write seems like it belongs in the book of Psalms. I have a faith, but it is constantly being challenged by the world's realities and the people who claim to also profess strong religious beliefs. I also write from a political standpoint and an anti-war world view. Whether spiritual or political, my lyrics are very much autobiographical and come from the heart. Steve and I go way back to when I was in high school and Steve was my assistant band director! After graduation, I asked Steve to help record his first song in 1993. Some sporadic collaboration happened throughout the 1990s and early 2000s until I decided we needed to do a full album together. That piece of work (indeed, it is a piece of work) was "Mind Over Chatter," finished in 2004. Our newest work, "In Circles," is done, mastered, and packaged. I hope to soon upload the entire album for download.

Fade Forward dates back only to 2004, when we embarked on our first project, Mind Over Chatter. Since then we completed another album, the soon-to-be-"released" "In Circles." Currently we are not doing any writing, though that can change with even the briefest moment of inspiration and successful musical introspection.

Nope. Two guys attempting to play drums, electric and acoustic guitars, bass, keyboards, and sing vocals just ain't gonna get it done. Not to mention we live 4 1/2 hours away and both have very busy lives with full time careers. We love to record new stuff when we can. That's the fun part! But our opportunities are not too numerous right now.

Steve: I'll ask him Mike: Dream Theater, Spock's Beard, Rush

Steve: POD Pro, Bass POD, Korg, Yahama, Roland, Mesa Boogie, Kurzweil Mike: Pearl, Zildjian, Roland, Kurzweil

Visit our MySpace page at www.myspace.com/fadeforward