THE SLACKERS (USA)

"Imagine Lee Perry's Upsetters spending a dozen years with Bob Dylan." This is how one Web magazine defined the musical framework of the New York act The Slackers. Ever since their beginnings in the early Nineties, they have worked their ska-based jamboree into a veritable hotchpotch of root reggae, jazz influences and, during the last few years, added in a steadily increasing amount of soul tones. There are not many other bands in this genre whose rock steady version of Bon Jovi's Wanted Dead or Alive would sound so natural and easy. In other words: all you serious-minded people out there, take good care of your attitude now, or The Slackers may wipe it all away.

The Slacker's latest release Peculiar (2006) gained an enviable number of rave reviews, and for a reason, too. This album is a comfortingly honest account of the band's supreme skills with their instruments, since it has been recorded mostly live in a Dutch club. When the band really gets going, they can whip themselves up for truly impressive performances: especially worth attention is the supreme musicianship of the saxophonist Dave Hillyard.

The Slackers is a human music machine equipped with 18 feet and a relaxed, but not lax attitude. When they invite you to dance, they mean you, you, and even you there in the back row. We are quite confident to promise that for many Ilosaarirock goers these gentlemen will be the most refreshing surprise of the entire festival, and their gig an experience worth remembering when the cold and blank autumn sets in.

www.theslackers.com
myspace.com/theslackers

< back