Jowe Head

Jowe Head (born Joe Head, 1956) is a British musician and visual artist, best known as the bass guitarist and vocalist for the influential post-punk band Swell Maps.

Head joined Swell Maps in 1977 and remained with the band until their dissolution in 1980. His distinctive bass lines and often surreal or darkly humorous lyrics were integral to the band's sound. He also contributed significantly to the band's visual aesthetic, designing album artwork and promotional materials.

Following the breakup of Swell Maps, Head embarked on a solo career, releasing several albums under his own name, including Pincer Movement (1981), The Badger Song Book (1983), and Strawberry Deutschmark (1985). His solo work explores similar experimental and art-rock territories as Swell Maps, but often with a greater emphasis on melody and songwriting.

In addition to his solo work, Head has collaborated with numerous other musicians and bands, including The Television Personalities, Nikki Sudden, and Pere Ubu. He has also remained active as a visual artist, exhibiting his paintings and drawings in galleries and museums. Head continues to record and perform music. His influence on subsequent generations of independent and experimental musicians is widely acknowledged.