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Can't Swim

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Can't Swim
OriginKeansburg, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres
Years active2015–present
LabelsPure Noise
Members
  • Greg McDevitt
  • Danny Rico
  • Blake Gamel
Past members
  • Andrea Morgan
  • Michael Sichel
  • Mike Sanchez
  • Chris LoPorto
Websitecantswim.net

Can't Swim is an American post-hardcore and pop-punk band from Keansburg, New Jersey.[7] The band consists of bassist Greg McDevitt, guitarist/backing vocalist Danny Rico, and drummer Blake Gamel; Chris LoPorto, the band's founding member, lead singer, and primary songwriter, departed the band in December 2024. The band has released four extended plays and four full-length studio albums, with the latest, Thanks but No Thanks, being released in 2023.

History

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Formation, signage, first EPs, and first tour (2015–2016)

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Can't Swim formed in the spring of 2015, in Keansburg, New Jersey. Can't Swim started as a solo endeavor of Chris LoPorto, who had previously played drums in several hardcore punk bands including Trash Talk and Back & Forth; LoPorto taught himself how to play guitar to perform in Can't Swim before evolving the project into a full band since, prior, LoPorto had never been a frontman, vocalist, or guitarist.[8] The band's lineup originally consisted of Chris LoPorto on lead vocals and guitar, Mike Sanchez on guitar, Danny Rico on drums, and Greg McDevitt on bass.[9][10]

Can't Swim signed to Pure Noise Records in December 2015, before they ever performed in a concert.[11][12] Following the signing, according to LoPorto, the band immediately bought gear, purchased a van, and began touring.[9] Can't Swim released their first EP a few months later in 2016, titled Death Deserves a Name.[13][14] They embarked on a tour in March 2016 alongside Four Year Strong.[15]

Debut full-length album (2017–2018)

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In February 2017, the band announced plans to release their debut studio album.[16] The album, Fail You Again, was released on March 10, 2017.[17][18] Also in 2017, the band hired a new drummer, Andrea Morgan; Danny Rico subsequently became the band's guitarist and backing vocalist.[9]

On October 4, 2018, the band released a new single titled "My Queen," with an accompanying music video for the single. They also released an album, titled This Too Won't Pass, on November 16, 2018; the album was produced entirely by the band's guitarist, Danny Rico.[8][19] Afterwards, they toured with Microwave. Chris LoPorto stated in a 2018 interview that he stopped playing guitar around that time and started exclusively singing vocals, as he felt that in addition to his vocal duties becoming more demanding, he was also redundantly serving the same purpose as Michael Sanchez, the band's guitarist; including LoPorto, the band had three guitarists at the time.[8]

Experimentation with genres and departure of Chris LoPorto (2019–present)

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On October 11, 2019, Can't Swim released a new EP titled Foreign Language. The EP features a heavier sound than that which the band had utilized in previous releases; the EP also featured guest vocals from other musicians in their scene, including Adam Lazzara, Spencer Pollard, Frank Carter, and Drew Dijorio.[20] On May 6, 2020, Can't Swim released a new four-song EP titled When the Dust Settles, which featured newly-arranged acoustic tracks taken from their previous releases.[21] On December 4, 2020, Can't Swim released their fourth EP, Someone Who Isn't Me, in which they explored a more electronic-oriented sound than previous releases. A review from Kerrang! granted Someone Who Isn't Me 3 out of 5 stars and called it "experimental".[22]

On October 22, 2021, Can't Swim released their third full-length album, Change of Plans, utilizing a sound that combined elements from all their previous releases.[23] In 2022, the band embarked on a tour which included several stops in the United Kingdom.[24] On March 3, 2023, Can't Swim released their fourth album, Thanks but No Thanks, and subsequently embarked on a tour that spring headlined by Free Throw, alongside Equipment, Heart to Gold, and Early Humans.[25] In October 2024, Can't Swim released a single, "Worst Ain't Over Yet," with an accompanying music video directed by their new drummer, Blake Gamel. At the time of the single's release, the band was on tour with Real Friends.[26]

In December 2024, several fans leveled accusations of sexual misconduct against Chris LoPorto on social media. While the band's public relations agency refused to comment on the situation, on December 9, LoPorto issued an apology on the band's Instagram page and announced his departure from the band. In the aftermath of the misconduct allegations, Can't Swim canceled and withdrew from several concerts scheduled to take place in 2025; a band alongside whom they were scheduled to tour in 2025, Knuckle Puck, also removed Can't Swim from a promotional flyer for that upcoming tour.[27][28]

Style and songwriting

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Reviewers and music sites have labeled Can't Swim as a rock and punk rock band.[10][29][30] Despite LoPorto's background in hardcore punk bands, Can't Swim adopted a relatively less heavy sound while still performing within punk subgenres, primarily post-hardcore,[7][23] pop-punk,[31][24] and emo,[10][30][24] but also including alternative rock,[32] emo pop,[32] and post-punk.[31] Reviewers have also noted the band's willingness to experiment with other genres within their releases, including indie rock, hardcore punk, and electronic dance music.[12][23][24]

In 2023, a reviewer with Kerrang! compared Can't Swim's sound in Thanks but No Thanks to As It Is, Anberlin, and Jimmy Eat World,[31] while Rico stated the band had occasionally "[pulled] from legends" including Jimmy Eat World, The Replacements, Blink-182, The Lemonheads, The Cure, and Saves the Day.[24] As the band's hometown, Keansburg, is located between Philadelphia and New York City, Rico stated in an interview that he considered Can't Swim's sound to be a "melting pot" of influences from bands central to both cities' punk scenes.[24]

Chris LoPorto was the band's primary songwriter.[8] His lyrics explored topics and themes including personal experiences, the mental effects of touring, existential angst, and anger. When asked in an interview if he hoped his lyrics would "inspire other men to share their emotions," LoPorto responded that he hoped his songwriting would "inspire men and women to start their own band or creative endeavors".[24][31]

Band members

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Current members

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  • Greg McDevitt – bass, backing vocals (2015–present)
  • Danny Rico – guitar, backing vocals (2017–present), drums (2015–2017)
  • Blake Gamel – drums (2021–present)

Former members

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  • Andrea Morgan – drums (2017–2018)
  • Michael Sichel – drums (2018–2021)
  • Mike "Chez" Sanchez – guitar (2015–2023)
  • Chris LoPorto – lead vocals (2015–2024)

Discography

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Studio albums

  • Fail You Again (2017)
  • This Too Won't Pass (2018)
  • Change of Plans (2021)
  • Thanks but No Thanks (2023)

EPs

  • Death Deserves a Name (2016)
  • Foreign Language (2019)
  • When the Dust Settles (2020)
  • Someone Who Isn't Me (2020)

References

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  1. ^ "Album review: Can't Swim – Change Of Plans". Kerrang!.
  2. ^ "ALBUM REVIEW: 'This Too Won't Pass' by Can't Swim". The Soundboard.
  3. ^ "Can't Swim Death Deserves A Name (2016)". PunkNews. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  4. ^ TAGLIANI, Jess. "CAN'T SWIM – 'FAIL YOU AGAIN'". Punktastic. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  5. ^ a b Thomas, Fred. "AllMusic bio". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  6. ^ Elliot, Griffin. "Despite Their Name, Can't Swim Are Pretty Optimistic About Life". Vice. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  7. ^ a b Jordan, Chris (2016-02-25). "Keansburg band Can't Swim makes a big splash". APP. Asbury Park Press. Archived from the original on 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2017-03-21.
  8. ^ a b c d "Honesty, Age & Trash Talk: Can't Swim's Chris LoPorto Details 'This Too Won't Pass' & Previous Hardcore Roots". Bring the Noise. 2018-12-08. Archived from the original on 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  9. ^ a b c "Can't Swim release "Fail You Again"". HEAD WALK. 2017-03-10. Archived from the original on 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  10. ^ a b c Hill, John (2015-12-02). "PREMIERE: Can't Swim Show What They're Made of in "Your Clothes"". VICE Media. Archived from the original on 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  11. ^ Elliot, Griffin. "Despite Their Name, Can't Swim Are Pretty Optimistic About Life". Vice. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  12. ^ a b Mustafa, Shadz Brooke (2017-03-10). "Can't Swim - Fail You Again | Album Review". Hit the Floor. Archived from the original on 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  13. ^ Nickoloff, Anne. "Hear Can't Swim's entire EP, 'Death Deserves A Name' (exclusive)". Alternative Press. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  14. ^ "Can't Swim Death Deserves A Name (2016)". PunkNews. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  15. ^ Olivier, Bobby (2016-02-09). "Must-hear N.J.: Success strikes impossibly fast for Keansburg rockers". NJ.com. Archived from the original on 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  16. ^ Dickman, Maggie. "Can't Swim announce album release date, debut new music video for "We Won't Sleep"—watch". Alternative Press. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  17. ^ Ralph, Caitlyn. "Can't Swim stream hard-hitting debut album over a week early—listen". Alternative Press. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  18. ^ Doyle, Tomas. "CAN'T SWIM - 'FAIL YOU AGAIN'". Rock Sound. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  19. ^ "Can't Swim Have Announced Their New Album, This Too Won't Pass". Kerrang!.
  20. ^ Loudwire Staff (2019-10-10). "Can't Swim Are Angrier, Heavier and Here to Explain Why". Loudwire. Archived from the original on 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  21. ^ Buhalis, Konstantina (2020-05-07). "Review: Can't Swim "When The Dust Settles"". New Noise Magazine. Archived from the original on 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  22. ^ McLaughlin, David (2020-12-02). "EP review: Can't Swim – Someone Who Isn't Me". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  23. ^ a b c Wilkes, Emma (2021-10-20). "Album review: Can't Swim – Change of Plans". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g "Interview with Can't Swim's Chris LoPorto and Danny Rico". The Midlands Rocks. 2023-02-17. Archived from the original on 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  25. ^ Sacher, Andrew (2023-01-19). "Can't Swim announce new LP 'Thanks But No Thanks,' share new song, touring with Free Throw". BrooklynVegan. Archived from the original on 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  26. ^ "CAN'T SWIM deliver music video for recently released single "Worst Ain't Over Yet"". Lambgoat. Archived from the original on 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  27. ^ Burch, Christopher (2024-12-10). "Popular N.J. band's singer accused of sexual misconduct, leaves band. Concerts canceled". NJ.com. Archived from the original on 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  28. ^ "CAN'T SWIM's CHRIS LOPORTO steps away following allegations". Lambgoat. 2024-12-09. Archived from the original on 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  29. ^ Carter, Emily (2024-07-23). "Can't Swim drop "frustrated and angry" new single, Can't See Straight". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  30. ^ a b "Can't Swim: Chris LoPorto's track-by-track guide to Change of Plans". Kerrang!. 2021-10-19. Archived from the original on 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  31. ^ a b c d "Album review: Can't Swim – Thanks, But No Thanks". Kerrang!. 2023-03-08. Archived from the original on 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  32. ^ a b "Can't Swim Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More | Biography". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
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