I Still Love You
If punk is my number one love in music, then Ska is a close number two. Punk was my gateway to it, discovering it when Craven Moorehead would play the Ska Punk Show song mix weekly on the FM airwaves. Started with Less than Jake and wondering what these horns are doing in there making it a little more danceable. I went down that rabbit hole and years later find me in love with the genre. That includes the Slackers being one of my top loves within it.
The lineup began with two familiar bands from the Aggrolites show, starting with Mind Upside. Immediately on the first song, I picked up on the fact these guys have got better in only the couple months since. Their sound hits a little bit progressive reggae and ska. They had a good energy and presence up on stage. In addition, they were the first of all three bands to use the Rebel Set’s keyboard. I keep being impressed by Mind Upside. I think they are a band to keep an eye on going forward.
Right behind them were the guys and gals of Bowcat. If you follow this site, you know all about this 2 Tone and Rocksteady sound. There is never a shortage of energy anywhere on that stage from any member. This was the when the venue was starting to populate more, and with it came more people wanting to dance. I think it is safe to say, Bowcat brought another excellent set on this night.
Last up were the dudes from New York, the masters of that ska beat, the Slackers. The only one missing was Marcus and his amazing mustache, but that is because he is about to have a child. Filling in was a great choice, who always had a smile on his face watching the band around him perform. Most of the band had smiles throughout this set to be honest. This year is their celebration of “Redlight” hitting twenty, and the set did include some from the album appropriately. Speaking of the set, they were on that stage for a near hour and a half with the encore. Also, Vic honored the crowd request for “Rude & Reckless” in the encore.
The set itself was a mix of multiple great moments. It started traditionally, with Glen and Vic doing lead vocals in their usual spots. Then there was Vic bringing out the Harmonica, stepping out from the keyboard. This would lead into Vic’s solo stuff, which included a monologue going into a Specials cover of “Rudy” and next into “Earth Angel.”
The Slackers gave us a moment in which we had Dave on the ground playing sax, acting dead at one point. He was brought back to life by chants of “Disco Dave.” The only on stage thing I’ve seen them do before was Glen “talking” with his trombone and Vic was explaining what his “dad” was saying. I don’t know if I could have asked for more out of this set. Yet, one of many reasons The Slackers rank at the top of my favorite ska bands. The good news is, I know I’ll be seeing them again in a month at Punk Rock Bowling. I can’t wait.
