Swell Maps were an English experimental DIY, early punk or post-punk rock group from Birmingham, England, active in various forms between 1972 and 1980. Influenced by bands such as T. Rex and the German krautrock groups such as Can and Faust, they went on to be influential to many others in the post-punk era. History Although it had existed in various forms since 1972, Swell Maps formed into a coherent musical entity after the beginning of British punk. The band consisted of Solihull teenagers Epic Soundtracks (real name Kevin Paul Godfrey), his brother Nikki Sudden (real name Adrian Nicholas Godfrey), Jowe Head (Stephen Bird), Biggles Books (Richard Scaldwell), Phones Sportsman (David Barrington) and John "Golden" Cockrill. The band released the single "Read About Seymour" in 1977. It is widely considered to be a classic punk era single, and is referenced in the song "Part Time Punks" by Television Personalities. After recording their first John Peel session Swell Maps went into WMRS studio to record their first album A Trip to Marineville, which was released in 1979. They recorded a second album, Swell Maps in "Jane From Occupied Europe", in 1980. The band toured Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy before splitting up in April 1980. A double album of archival recordings, Whatever Happens Next..., was released shortly afterwards, but has not been reissued since. Side projects The band backed Steve Treatment on an EP, released on their own Rather Records label in 1978. They also backed The Cult Figures on a single "Zip Nolan", released on the Rough Trade label in 1979. An EP of experimental tracks of the band backing Phones Sportsman was released under the name of the Phones Sportsman Band in 1980. Post split The Swell Maps back catalogue has been remastered and reissued, and several compilations of archive recordings released. Soon after the band's split Soundtracks and Head released a single, "Rain, Rain, Rain", on Rough Trade, intended to be the first release from a forthcoming album, Daga Daga Daga, which was not completed. Richard Scaldwell (Biggles Books) released an album in 1981, The Egg Store Ilk, under the name "Richard Earl", but retired from music thereafter. Other members of the band continued to make music; Nikki Sudden began a solo career as well as working with Dave Kusworth. Epic Soundtracks was a member of Crime and the City Solution and also released solo material. Jowe Head