The Slits
The Slits, ‘Cut’, 1979. Before Riot Grrls, Spice Girls, Pussy Riot, there was The Slits. They toured with The Clash and Joe Strummer taught lead vocalist Ari Up how to play guitar. Ari was raised in Germany (her mum, Nora, married Johnny Rotten) so English wasn’t her first language. This gives the vocals a strange Nico/Marlene Dietrich vibe. Viv Albertine’s guitar scrabbles and scratches with metallic choppiness and wiggly strings. This mixed with the reggae feel of the band creates a unique sound. Reggae musician Dennis Bovell produced the album and his sonic dub textures fuse the punky energy, bass runs, female vocals, and drummer Budgie’s fills and beats, into a skanking, woozy, funny, scary, jagged burst of danceable noise. ‘Typical Girls’ is the almost poppy single, attacking mainstream definitions of beauty. It’s a classic. ‘Adventures Close to Home’ about making your own fun and destiny. ‘Instant Hit’ and ‘Newtown’ face down empty lives and heroin. ‘FM’ mind control via the radio playlist. ‘Shoplifting’ and ‘Spend, Spend, Spend’ consumerism without a budget. ‘Love und Romance’ and ‘Ping Pong Affair’ looking at love and relationships.
The whole thing is still strange today. Punk, as an attitude oozes, from the grooves. Clips on Youtube show how ragged, different and in-your-face they were. The Slits. Girl Power. 4 real.
The Slits
The Slits, ‘Cut’, 1979. Before Riot Grrls, Spice Girls, Pussy Riot, there was The Slits. They toured with The Clash and Joe Strummer taught lead vocalist Ari Up how to play guitar. Ari was raised in Germany (her mum, Nora, married Johnny Rotten) so English wasn’t her first language. This gives the vocals a strange Nico/Marlene Dietrich vibe. Viv Albertine’s guitar scrabbles and scratches with metallic choppiness and wiggly strings. This mixed with the reggae feel of the band creates a unique sound. Reggae musician Dennis Bovell produced the album and his sonic dub textures fuse the punky energy, bass runs, female vocals, and drummer Budgie’s fills and beats, into a skanking, woozy, funny, scary, jagged burst of danceable noise. ‘Typical Girls’ is the almost poppy single, attacking mainstream definitions of beauty. It’s a classic. ‘Adventures Close to Home’ about making your own fun and destiny. ‘Instant Hit’ and ‘Newtown’ face down empty lives and heroin. ‘FM’ mind control via the radio playlist. ‘Shoplifting’ and ‘Spend, Spend, Spend’ consumerism without a budget. ‘Love und Romance’ and ‘Ping Pong Affair’ looking at love and relationships.
The whole thing is still strange today. Punk, as an attitude oozes, from the grooves. Clips on Youtube show how ragged, different and in-your-face they were. The Slits. Girl Power. 4 real.