Originally self-released in 2008, A.M. by Magnetic Morning – the collaborative project between Adam Franklin (Swervedriver) and Sam Fogarino (Interpol) – quickly became a sought-after collectible among fans of both legendary bands.
The Magnetic Morning story began over twenty years ago on Manhattan’s Lower East Side following the introduction of Franklin and Fogarino on a snowy winter evening, by Jack Rabid, journalist and editor of the cult NY music magazine, The Big Takeover. As Fogarino recalls:
“After I impulsively proclaimed my undying affinity for Swervedriver, the effortless flow of conversation was only outmatched by our wine consumption. A creative relationship naturally took form. We took a cut-and-paste approach to songwriting and recording demos – on a laptop first, then into Electric Lady Studios – and ended up with something that sounded more like the work of a full band. That’s exactly what we did before playing our first show together at the Mercury Lounge.”
The album’s signature sound blends shoegaze, Krautrock, and psychedelia, enhanced by Jimmy LaValle of The Album Leaf on keyboards, Josh Stoddard (Bolts of Melody) on bass, and Fred Blasco (Interpol’s touring keyboardist) on guitar.
“Sam expressed his love for the Swervedriver and suggested we play together, which I was very much up for,” adds Franklin. “We convened at the legendary Music Building in Manhattan, and playing together revealed a powerful dynamic, giving us the idea to form an actual band. Later, we recorded the full album in a studio at the bottom of Sam’s garden in Athens, GA. Some of my favourite songs I’ve ever been involved in writing are on this album.”
Thanks to the team at Outer Battery Records, the reissue has been fully remastered by Tim Turan and is pressed on bone-white vinyl, featuring all-new artwork and striking photography by Pat Graham (Johnny Marr, Fugazi, Modest Mouse). A.M. is out via Outer Battery Records on 28th November 2025 (pre-order here).
Killing Joke – Extremities, Dirt And Various Repressed Emotion
Sam Fogarino: In the early 90s, I was hanging out on South Beach up on Lincoln Rd, when it was still semi-abandoned, with more store fronts empty than occupied. My band mate, at the time purchased the Killing Joke LP Extremities, Dirt And Various Repressed Emotions. After he played the song ‘The Beautiful Dead’, for me, it felt almost religious. Massive sounding, heavy and brooding; a sonic, dissonant bombast. The unapologetic, pointed lyrics, delivered with unwavering conviction by a voice bigger than reality. ‘The Beautiful Dead’, sounded like Ocean Drive looked.
Argent – ‘Hold Your Head Up’
Adam Franklin: There’s one piece of music that I never really think too much about, but it’s had a huge influence on me and that’s ‘Hold Your Head Up’ by Argent. That’s because this is the first single I remember obsessing over, holding in my hands, looking at the label and listening to it on the record player. My dad must have bought the record and unlike T. Rex and all the rest, I have no recollection of seeing Argent perform the song on Top of the Pops or have any idea what they looked like. It’s pure sound and what I hear is the bass and drums locking in under the mysterious glissando keyboard, those tremolo guitar chords hanging in the air and the great vocal which I always thought sounds kind of metallic somehow. I was in a bar last week and this came on and transported me straight back – it’s wild!
Sugar – ‘JC Auto’
Sam Fogarino: I was living in South Florida and feeling quite restless. Life seemed to have slipped into neutral. My first love left me for a man that was taller, better looking, and far more financially secure. The label that my band was signed to at the time was proving to be a farce. I was feeling claustrophobic, hapless and dead ended. At the record store I worked at I heard the Sugar song, ‘JC Auto’. It was like hearing ‘rock’ music for the very first time, again. Sonically and lyrically, it felt like I had a personal, empathetic, soundtrack saying the words I lacked, to express what I was experiencing at that time. Underneath of which, a sound big enough to build a 2-story house upon… I can’t believe in anything / I don’t believe in anything / Do you believe in anything? / Do you believe me now?
