Anyone who believes that pirates do not exist, think again. Scourge of the Atlantic Coast, Swashbuckle has been 
ransacking and pillaging the eastern seaboard for nearly five years. Signed to Nuclear Blast earlier this year, the trio of metal miscreants makes its port o’ call wherever the winds take them. Borne off the shores of New Jersey, Admiral Nobeard, Commodore RedRum, and Captain Crashride spin yarns of pirates and plunder in thrash metal balladry.
Recently announced to team up with a hardened crew of Vikings, Swashbuckle is sharpening its cutlasses and preparing to hit the high seas as part of the 2009 Paganfest tour. Also on deck is a brand new studio album, Back To the Noose, which the band describes as “a vicious aural assailment of speedy riffs, anthemic drinking jigs, and timeless panty-droppin’ shanties: An overall thrashterpiece.” So batten down the hatches, and prepare for boarding, because Swashbuckle is coming for you!
How did the idea come together for you guys to merge extreme metal with the pirate theme?
Admiral Nobeard: Well, we've been raised and cut our teeth on heavy metal since we were wee pirates, we figured that we'd thrash and tell tales of our nautical nonsense so the masses can enjoy it as well. It be natural to we pirates to be singing songs of pillage, plunder and shenanigans, whilst putting it to some fast aggressive metal.
Obviously, there are going to be naysayers that think you are simply trying to cash in on the Pirates of the Caribbean popularity. How do you respond to such an allegation?
AN: Obviously, those people have a hard time understanding the concept of fun. Har har. People are entitled to an opinion but most naysayers are opposed to just about everything anyone does. If we actually gave a sh** what people thought, we wouldn't be here today dressed in our stylish pirate garbs. So lighten up kiddies and don't sup too much on the Hater-ade.
How much of an influence was Running Wild on what you do? Sadly, the band is all but completely unknown in American anymore, but they do have an admirable legacy.
AN: As far as musically, yes, we're all fans of Running Wild since we've grown up on albums such as Death or Glory, Under Jolly Roger, and Black Hand Inn. Aye, and yes their legend lives on in anyone that takes up a sword and flies the Jolly Roger.
I’m sure you are aware, but there is a band out there from Scotland called Alestorm, which is doing a similar thing as you, emulating the world of pirates and metal, andthey are also on a predominantly Viking metal tour. What is your impression of them, and have you ever crossed paths with them?
AN: Ahh yes, our Scottish pirate brethren! Indeed we know of Alestorm but alas, not by the sun's warming glow, nor the moon's ghastly shroud have our ships crossed paths. Any band who supports music piracy as much as us is okay in our book! They keep to the code and while our musical styles may clash like two finely crafted sabers, we honor their resolve with round after round of ale, grog, mead, rum, and whatever other piratical beverages we fancy.
Your first album, Crewed by the Damned, is an interesting mix of extreme metal and Victorian-styled acoustic music. It is 
a fascinating dichotomy of atmospheres, and I dare say that few bands have ever attempted such a merging of sounds. What prompted you to go that route?
AN: We love thrashin', and we also enjoy the softer side of Sears....errr...I mean we dig the acoustic shanties and dropped panties, if ye be catchin' my drift. After a long day of blistering fast metal, we like to settle in with a large handle of rum and strum a bit on our acoustics. That and we looked to the horizon and charted our course towards mixing the metal and the acoustic ditties. Aye, that and it just be fun times.
Has Swashbuckle always been a 3-piece act (4 with the parrot)?
AN: Nay, scallywag. We did happen to have a second guitarist by that went by the name of Rowin' Joe Po. Fortunately he got thrown overboard for being a sh***y pirate. No rum was spilled in the plank-walking of that hornswaggler. We also enjoy being a three piece more; it's a bit more challenging to fill out the sound that we've produced on the record. That and we enjoy Three's Company as well. So if we come knockin' on yar door, ye best f***in' answer it!
It's been over two years since the release of Crewed by the Damned. When can fans expect the next album, and will the content be along the same lines as Crewed, or will you be experimenting with new sounds/styles?
AN: The new record is entitled Back To The Noose and shall be released on Nuclear Blast Records sometime in the summer months. As far as the music is concerned, it's faster, heavier, and way more fun than the tunes on Crewed. We had a blast writing and recording this record, and hopefully ye all scallywags enjoy it as much as we have.
Are you allowed to share the tracklisting of Back to the Noose with me, and would you know the approximate release date of the album?
AN: Right now, we cannot disclose the tracklisting for the album, lest ye be having your eyes stabbed out and yar head lobbed off at the neck. It's slated for a summer release, that's the most information we can give ye at the moment.
Are you still managed by Kataklysm's singer, Maurizio Iacono?
AN: Indeed we are. He's been doing a fantastic job, and we couldn't ask for a better dude to partake in our acts of piracy and stupidity.
You've been touring around the east coast for several years, what prompted the signing to Nuclear Blast? Were they looking to sign some American bands that could tour?
AN: I guess Nuclear Blast needed to heed the call of piracy and decided to ink and accord with we pirates. We're very proud to be on such an excellent label for metal, and we can't wait to fly their flag next to ours on the seas of black pavement!
And speaking of touring, was it Nuclear Blast who got you onto this year's Paganfest?
AN: Actually, Maurizio from Rock the Nation was the one who asked us to be on this year’s Paganfest, so it was quite an honor.
What are your anticipations for PaganFest? Vikings and Pirates sharing the boat; sounds to me like a recipe for drunken violence.
AN: We're anticipating fun. We're a fun group of rapscallions and we love metal. So what better way to have a blast than being on tour with awesome bands, seeing awesome people every day, and playing to yar hearts content. If we happen to loot and pillage cape to village along with our Viking brethren, then so be it! It'll be more fun that way!
You are also the only American band representing on Paganfest, and actually the first American band EVER to participate in the tour. Does this set the bar kinda high for you to pull out all the stops?
AN: Aye, the stops will be pulled out, set on fire, pissed on, and then thrown overboard. We're gonna be thrashing hard, fast, and heavy, so ye best brace yarselves. We've got some shenanigans we're planning, so keep a weathered eye to the stage for some antics of retarded proportions.
Other bands on the tour will have accordion sound checks, hurdy-gurdy checks, and checks for other assorted odd 
instruments. Will Swashbuckle have a parrot check or anything comparable?
AN: Only the plank check. It needs to be up to code for diving capabilities.
Swashbuckle is also known for having very reasonably-priced merchandise. Will you be able to retain the same prices along the Paganfest tour?
AN: I believe that the tour package sets the amounts for how much the merch will be available for. We'll be trying to keep it reasonably priced so scallywags can impress their adversaries with shirts of nifty design and wondrous color.
I saw you guys with Impaled and Revocation in Downingtown last year, and I was actually surprised that you are actually approachable, friendly folk - a vast departure from the unruliness and unpredictability of your typical black-toothed pirate. Did I just happen to catch you on a 'good' night?
AN: Aye, that was a fun show. We're very approachable pirates, but ye best not double-cross us, or ye'll be wearing yar intestines as a necktie. If you like fun times and tom foolery, then ye be getting along with us just fine.
And speaking of Revocation, you seem to play shows with them a lot. Is there a special bond between the two bands, and how did you guys become consistent tour mates? And why the hell aren't they signed???
AN: Aye, there be a bond only dudes who bro can abide by, and well they can bro down with the best of them. They're our northern counterparts: they shred tasty licks, play fast as f***, and are just a bunch of goofball bastards like we pirates three, so of course we all be gettin' along just fine. Any time you get us in a show/party/brodeo situation; it just turns out to be fun times. Great dudes. As far as them getting signed, I believe they're in the works of something quite awesome. So best be on the lookout for them in the future, they're destined for great things.
I also heard that your likenesses are being used in a video game. What can you tell me about that, how it came about, and 
when the game is released? Typically, the only bands whose likenesses appear in videogames are those multi-platinum sellers like Metallica and Kiss. You're obviously stoked about this, right?
AN: Aye, Stickman Studios approached us about using our music in their videogame Buccaneer: The Pursuit of Infamy and we agreed to it, just as long as they gave us a bitchin' animated video. They came through on their end of the deal, and it looks pretty boss. We were totally stoked about it when it came to, and we're still stoked about it now.
From what I've witnessed, Swashbuckle is heavily involved in viral marketing, being represented all over the social networking sites and other metal-related social pages. Does the band do all that work internally, or do you have friends that spread the word for you?
AN: We've done a large majority of the work. Again, we enjoy keeping in touch with the people who support our stupidity and who enjoy thrashin' and sucking down rum. We've also had a few friends spread the word as well, but usually, we're sailing the seas of the internet, keeping in touch with those who heed the call of the code.
How did the Spongebob Squarepants theme song work its way into Swashbuckle's arsenal, and do you close every show with it?
AN: A few years ago, we were playing a show in some dude's house and started f***in' around with the ditty, and just decided to be those a**holes who metalled it up. So, we just started playing it every once and a while, then more and more people started yappin' about it, so there was a bit more demand for it. Now, we just don't bother playing it anymore. It was funny and cool for a while, but ye get sick of it after playing it all the time. So we've stopped closing with it, and now just do some other goofy songs for the ender. Aye, it be like a plague on our musical souls.
What are the band's plans for 2009 following Paganfest?
AN: Releasing the new record, Back to the Noose, more touring, more touring, and well more touring. We're preparing for the journeys ahead, so if ye look to the sky and see our black flag flying high, cross yar hooks, tighten yar peglegs, for ye be in for a wild time. YARRRR!!!!!
Paganfest (featuring Korpiklaani, Primordial, Moonsorrow, Blackguard, and Swashbuckle) tour dates include:
April 28 at The Opera House in Toronto, ON, Can.
April 29 at Medley in Montreal, QC, Can.
April 30 at Imperial in Quebec City, QC, Can.
May 1 at The Palladium in Worcester, MA
May 2 at Crocodile Rock in Allentown, PA
May 3 at Jaxx in Springfield, VA
May 4 at Irving Plaza in New York, NY
May 5 at Peabody’s in Cleveland, OH
May 6 at The Mad Hatter in Covington, KY
May 7 at Chicago Powerfest in Chicago, IL
May 8 at Station 4 in St. Paul, MN
May 9 at The Zoo in Winnipeg, MB, Can.
May 10 at The Exchange in Regina, SK, Can.
May 11 at Starlite Room in Edmonton, AB, Can.
May 12 at Warehouse in Calgary, AB, Can.
May 13 at The Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver, BC, Can.
May 14 at Studio Seven in Seattle, WA
May 15 at Hawthorne Theatre in Portland, OR
May 16 at DNA Lounge in San Francisco, CA
May 17 at House of Blues in Hollywood, CA
May 18 at The Jumping Turtle in San Diego, CA
Swashbuckle is also appearing at the following festivals:
May 21 at Legacy Open Air in Dessau, Germany
May 22 at Summer Nights Open Air in Mining, Austria
May 23 at Metal Dayz Festival in Pratteln, Switzerland
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