The Schwegs are a Hudson Valley-based band that released their first album on Nov. 1. Half Baked is a 10-track album with songs unique to each of the members of the band and kooky names that are just one big bit among the members such as “Bicurious George” and “Herbert Hoover.”
On Nov. 14, the band appeared on the NPMC Spotlight talk show on SUNY New Paltz’s radio station WFNP to talk about the album. “It was kind of a joke, sort of a not joke when I did that,” said Ian Schweiger, bass guitarist. He wrote and named the song “Bicurious George” for the album. “I am very uncomfortable putting a name on the things that I write. It makes me feel too attached to it … It’s mostly just about being afraid of becoming my father, I guess is the best way to say it. And seeing things within myself that aren’t so positive that I don’t want to grow up and bring out onto someone.”
Another stand out on the album is “Stuck.” As the opening song, “Stuck” hooks the listener with its pop punk arrangement and relatable lyrics. Charles Apollo, the band’s lead guitarist, said, “It’s just about anxieties, just going into your future, not what’s going to happen … but feeling like you’re stuck where you are and not having anywhere to go.”
The Schwegs began their journey together at Roy C. Ketcham High School where they met and played their first gig, having no idea it would lead to forming a band and working together for the past three years. They’ve been regularly booked and busy in the past few months, most recently playing locally at the Green House, a DIY venue in New Paltz on Nov. 9 and then at Suit 208 on Long Island, New York on Nov. 16.
However, on Nov. 18, The Schwegs announced their departure from lead singer Bernadette Dingman. In a statement posted on Instagram, The Schwegs stated, “…In light of recent events, we have decided to part ways with our former vocalist. We made this decision for the good of the band and we want you all to know that there is no bad blood between any of us … We will continue moving forward and will harbor a safe and welcoming community for the Hudson Valley music scene.”
Dingman posted her own statements regarding the situation. She first stated her excitement to take on new projects and growing as an artist, grateful for the past three years as a “pivotal stepping stone in [her] career as a musician.” Her next post, around seven hours later, read, “I’ve had so many people reaching out to me asking what happened, so I feel I owe it to share. I was told to leave the schwegs because I had different approaches on some things. And rather than be understanding as true friends and bandmates should be, they told me I was out of the group.”
The Schwegs plan to fulfill their commitments to upcoming shows with singers filling in for Dingman. Their next show is Nov. 23 at the VFW in Massapequa for the Over The Rainbow: Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS Charity Concert.
For more information on The Schwegs, they can be found on Instagram @the_schwegs.
