Boardwalk Riot! - Des and the Swagmatics Are on a Mission

Des and the Swagmatics Are on a Mission
Written by Michael Campanile
July 19, 2026

Des and the Swagmatics are on a mission to get your booty shakin’ by any means necessary! And if you've been following them, you know they routinely succeed at doing just that. Wait, you haven't seen them live yet? Well then you better get yourself over to House of Independents on July 25 for their big record release party.

This talented Asbury Park band is comprised of lead singer Deseree Spinks, guitarist Randy Preston, drummer-vocalist Craig Lawlor, keyboardist-vocalist Ray Saada, and bassist Kevin Stryker. Born out of their love for Prince, they pack a sexy blend of R&B, rock, soul, funk and pop sounds. A night at a Des and the Swagmatics show is "a genre-bending adventure through every way you’ve ever wanted to get down". And I can vouch for that.

While it has been ten years since they released their self-titled debut EP, the upcoming album sounds like it will be worth the wait. According to Spinks, "Seeing a Swagmatics show is a very specific experience. We really wanted to capture that on the record as much as we could without sanitizing or over producing it. That was one of the things that took the longest."

Recent singles "Sweet Mary" (which has an awesome cover design by Soleé Spinelli) and "My Place" plus 2020's "Slow Kiss" will be on the new record, with multiple members of the band contributing to the writing this time around. "The new songs will cover a span of life and death and breath and activism and silliness" according to Spinks, with album credits ranging from friends and loved ones to a choir featuring singers from Roots Rock and Revival. And did I mention Gloria Gaynor's horn section will be on one of their disco tracks? Yeah, this album sounds like it will be pretty special.

And of course we have to talk about next weekend's big shindig. The night will be a full-circle moment for the band since they also celebrated the release of their 2016 EP at HOI. And it sounds like the show should be pretty epic with a gospel choir, backing singers and friends joining them. They want their performance to be the first (and possibly) only time that the songs will sound as close to how they are on the record. Spinks said, "The goal is to create a vibe where people will feel they belong to a space no matter who you are, what you are, what you look like, what you listen to...you can come to a Swagmatics show and have a great fucking time!"

The band also invited Monte Maybe and Alexander Simone and WHODAT?—two awesome local acts you don't want to miss—to join the fun. This definitely should be the show of the summer here in Asbury Park. So mark your calendars, buy a ticket, and come out and have a great fucking time.

If you can't make the show, be sure to check out the new album, Des and the Swagmatics, wherever you stream your music starting on the 25th. And if you like it, be sure to buy a copy too!

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