Frequently Asked Questions (and their Answers).
*What instruments do you have in your band?
Currently we are not able to work to a fixed line up and it rather depends on the show, but Musical Director- Stephane Spitz is always present. Either on Tenor or Bass Saxophone.
Other instruments may be Trumpet by Peter Leonard, Trombone by Dan Rehahn, Tenor Banjo or Guitar by Roger Pastry or Sebastien Vittorini, Sousaphone by Sam Dorrell, Double Bass by Dave Raven, Tea Chest Bass by Sebastien Vittorini, Percussion by Dave Lacey and Singing by everyone.
*Are you a local band?
We are a national touring band.
*Where are you all from?
Performers currently reside in Bristol, London, Nottingham, Brighton.
Founding member Stephane Spitz is based in Great Yarmouth.
*How did you all get together?
Swervy World musicians are from a background of travelling street performers, having been either solo performers working and travelling year round as a way of life, or working with past travelling street bands such as Roxy's Tool Box, Urban Ravioli, Tragic Roundabout.
We all share a mutual interest in street music as a way of life and became known to each other through links, friends and traditional street performer get togethers such as Winchester Hat Fair, Stroud Folk Festival and Strawberry Fair.
Swervy World was officially launched in Tavistock, Devon, in the winter of 1994. Our first three month tour (1996) was by horse and cart!
​​
*Do you have other income sources to subsidise your work as musicians?
Some members have alternative employment. Founding member Stephane Spitz is a full time musician and performance artist.
*With the band so spread out, How do you get together to rehearse?
It is a problem! Usually we are booked for a specific show and one full day is set aside for rehearsal, with members travelling to a central point (usually Orpington in South London) to rehearse. Members are expected to put there own time in to rehearse and make an investment in to the collective success of the troupe.
​​
*Do you do private bookings/weddings?
It is not in the remit of the group to do private bookings as we mean to reach out to communities as a whole, however please ask.. Sometimes we are able to accomodate private shows as part of a bigger tour of an area.
*How do I book Swervy World?
In the first instance, all booking enquiries please email to swervyworld@hotmail.com
*Do you provide a PA? Stage lights?
Our work is designed to be free from electricity so we can play on the move or in street settings whereupon we will attempt to bring an audience in close in order to deliver a unique and intimate show where we are able to break down barriers between audience and performer, not alienate or push an audience away with loud volume as amplified music so often does.
For village hall dances and busy music venues where some amplification is required.. Sadly our wonderful sound and lights engineer retired last year (2024) and we have not yet managed to find a suitable replacement and thus for the time being, we are offering the band as acoustic only. Relying on established venues to run there own sound equipment and engineer.
*Do you have Public Liability Insurance?
Yes, we will also provide a risk assessment form when requested.
*Can you work with no electricity?
Yes. The instrumentation within the band is chosen specifically for the way these instruments sound in an acoustic, outdoor setting.
*Do you also do indoor stage shows.
Occasionally yes, and we have a wealth of interesting music for dancing and listening.. Although we seldom get asked and our specialised field is street arts.
*How long do you perform for?
For street parades and walkabouts 4 x 30mins maximum.
For indoor concerts 2 x 45 mins
For clubs, pubs and static shows 3 x 45 mins
​​
​