The Swingers were a New Zealand rock band who were together from 1979 to 1982 and whose biggest single was the song "Counting the Beat". Background Formed out of the remnants of the Suburban Reptiles, the founding members were Phil Judd (guitar, vocals), Wayne Stevens ( Bones Hillman) (bass), and Mark Hough (a.k.a. Buster Stiggs) (drums). Formed in 1979, the band released the single "One Good Reason", which was a top 20 hit in New Zealand. They also appeared on the Ripper Records sampler AK79 and established a large live following after a residency at Auckland's Liberty Stage club. In 1980 the band moved to Australia and signed to Mushroom Records for that country, although their New Zealand releases remained on Ripper. Success After some band dissension, Ian Gilroy of the Crocodiles replaced Hough on drums. The band released the single "Counting the Beat", which became a No. 1 hit in Australia and New Zealand. A second single released in 1981, "It Ain't What You Dance, It's the Way That You Dance It" (which had the outro repeat line "oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah"), was also a Top 5 hit in New Zealand but only a minor hit in Australia (reaching #43). An album, Practical Jokers, produced by David Tickle, was released. The band also performed songs in the film Starstruck. Breakup The band underwent a couple more line-up changes, including the addition of Pop Mechanix and Coconut Rough vocalist Andrew Snoid, before it split up in March 1982. Phil Judd went on to pursue a solo career. Discography Albums Singles References External links Frenz.com Swingers biography Swingers discography at Australian Rock Database by Magnus Holmgren Swingers, Rip It Up, 1 February 1980, p6 1979 establishments in New Zealand 1982 disestablishments in New Zealand APRA Award winners New Zealand new wave musical groups Musical groups established in 1979 Musical groups disestablished in 1982 New Zealand musical trios Musical groups from Auckland New Zealand expatriates in Australia