The Slits: Punk’s Forgotten Band

A very super kick ass  punk rock band called The Slits was formed in the U.K. in 1976 as punk quartet of daring visionary women. These women came from bands called The Castrators and The Flowers Of Romance. A few changes in the lineup were made along the way including the addition of a male drummer (Budgie a/k/a Pete Clarke who later joined Siouxsie & The Banshees). You may not know it, but The Slits opened for The Clash on their 1977 White Riot tour. They were also one of the featured bands in the Don Letts film production called The Punk Rock Movie.

At first listen, the whole sound of The Slits will take you off-guard as soon as you hear their sound. It’s catchy, fun, bitchy and rebellious all at the same time. The rhythm sense of this band is absolutely amazing and rarely has it been duplicated. A very catchy syncopated rhythm coupled with the jump-start slashing attitude of punk makes for some very interesting music. Nobody else in the punk rock scene even came close to their punk attitude and artistic sensibilities (or their amazing sense of rhythm).

While some punkers may have found the genre to be a good excuse to abuse their bodies, their equipment and our musical tastes, a band called The Slits had a unique sound from the beginning. Unfortunately, the music business glorified the less deserving and the less capable artists of the punk rock genre. As a band, The Slits only managed two studio albums and they can be heard on three live albums and a couple of compilations. Forget the punk rock nomenclature – The Slits are an extremely creative band who once appeared on the sharpest edge of their craft. They deserve a better listen and better opinion from true music fans.

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