Local bands often have the best names. There's a pub I drive past on the way to work which is advertising gigs by upcoming groups including Mustard, Gin Pit and T.V.O.D, all of which are great names. I have no desire to see these bands play and accept that they are probably just pub covers bands. In my head they are something else entirely, fully fleshed out with members, songs and background, ready to change the world. Another pub, now demolished, a mile up the road had a chalkboard that stayed up on the outside for months after it closed promoting Kim Jung Ill and Chineapple Punks. Unfortunately not on the same night.
The Slits is one of the great band names. It's a strange thing that given that almost every album ever made has been re-issued and is more or less constantly available, in double pack with b-sides and Peel Sessions and/or triple or coloured vinyl special editions, that their second album is unavailable and has been since a 2006 re-issue. Return Of The Giant Slits was released in 1981 and was a sidestep on from the punky energy of their debut- it's more groove based, pinned down by Bruce Smith's drums, allowing Tessa, Ari and Viv to explore African rhythms and a more laid back approach. Earthbeat was the album's opener and a single and seems early 80s compared to the very '77 sounds of Cut.
Earthbeat
So long since I've heard this I had almost forgotten about it. Weird how that happens - and yet I bought ROTGS in '81 and loved it.
ReplyDeleteThe Slits - yes what a perfect name for an uncompromising girl band and one that you could get away with. Although I seem to remember reading somewhere that in their early days one of the tabloids referenced them in one of their ridiculous "punk is the root of all evil, abolish this scum now" type articles as being a band with a name so obscene that it couldn't be printed! Typical really. But not typical girls ;-)
I know the feeling with band names. My last lot changed the meaning to look 'hard'. Still sound shit though tbh.
ReplyDeleteThere are several really clumsily named bands around at the moment. Car Seat Headrest and Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever are two that spring to mind - and don't get me started on those bands who's monikers are seemingly allergic to vowels. The Slits is a great name for a truly great band. It's a travesty that 'Return of the Giant Slits' remains out of print in this day and age.
ReplyDeleteA great name for a female band in these days indeed. I really love The Return Of The Giant Slits and of course it is hardly underrated and sad that it is unavailable now.
ReplyDeleteLovely photo of the Slits. A friend of mine has a particular hatred of what he calls "ampersand bands" -- Mumford & Sons, Iron & Wine, Shovels & Rope...
ReplyDeleteIn these troublesome times, it's easy to imagine new bands calling themselves Tar & Feathers, Guns & Butter, or Bread & Circuses.