SLAVES: SHARP DRESSING & HELL RAISING WITH THE BOYS FROM KENT
With a reputation as sharp dressing, hell raising pranksters Slaves are two barmy boys from Kent who have slogged their way through the pub gig circuit and are finally starting to see the rewards.
There’s a wild buzz around this band which has been building and building over the past year, and is set to reach an explosive climax with the release of their debut album, ‘Are You Satisfied?’ on June 1st. Signed to Virgin EMI, Drummer Isaac Holman is surprised that things have got this far and that their punk lo fi sound has translated so well to bigger venues “I never thought we’d work on a bigger stage but it just does, it’s a mad feeling.”
Slaves may have an old fashioned DIY ethic but they certainly don’t take themselves too seriously as is apparent from their surreal YouTube channel ‘Slaves TV’ which includes a regular ‘sexy sausage’ feature where they review different types of sausages. “It’s just an insight into our strange little brains. We decided to start filming stuff, no idea where the sexy sausage feature came from, I don’t know what it means. Looking forward to doing a bit more of it though when we have time.”
Slaves’ music is observational, a humorous commentary on the world they see around them. “I think we’re both just influenced by everything we see, we over-analyse and our overwhelmed minds coming out with this spiel. It varies some songs have got a stronger message than others. Our debut is ridiculous there are songs like ‘The Hunter’ which have more of serious message but we think it’s important to have both a serious and a funny side. We think it’s important to observe and document the world around us as it’s in a bit of a mess. It’s good to pick up on where we’re going wrong, and then there’s stupid funny stuff.”
Like many other bands, Slaves credit their initial inspiration to music venue in their hometown, The Forum in Tunbridge Wells. “The Forum was where we first started playing, it’s a great platform for music in a place where not much else happens. That place breeds artists, I wouldn’t be here without it.”
They may have a brash demeanour but they always look good, style is an important part of the Slaves’ package but less thought goes into it than you might imagine. “When we started we were discovering our own styles, when we met we dressed the same but now I’m into 70s style, flared trousers and that. We’ve ventured off having ‘a look’, one day it’s tracksuits and trainers, next day a suit, no rules apply.”
The new album was recorded in London and features a song ‘Cheer up London’ and the boys admit the location did influence them a lot. “It definitely did, we’re both from the countryside in Kent and moved to London about 4/5 months before we started writing it. It definitely influenced the writing but it’s just a point in time, if anything was different all the songs would be different. It’s like chance for us when writing.”
‘Are You Satisfied?’ was written and recorded quickly. A snap shot in time which conveys the band’s feelings at that point. “We’re pretty stoked with what we’ve done. We wrote the new single ‘Feed the Mantaray’ last in the studio. We’d lost out minds a bit being in the studio and our mate who was recording it said push out one more tune. I’d been listening to my noisy neighbour pissed off in my flat so that inspired it plus we’d been talking about an aquarium. I’d like to say there was a deep message haha”
Slaves embark on a headline tour of the UK in May and are understandably excited. “Can’t wait, can’t believe the dates are sold out! We didn’t expect that to happen, it’s so great that people want to see you, see your art, people appreciate it and the number of people is growing. There’s going to be a lot of sweat and smiles, it’s definitely a work out, hard work but everyone will go away happy and that’s all we want.”
With a slew of festival appearances in the pipeline and dates planned in Japan Slaves have a lot going on. “Japan is going to be a real culture shock, they have little napping boots out in the street! You pop your money in and you slot in, just insane! I think it’ll blow my mind.”
They’re not letting the new found success go to their heads though, Slaves have may have their heads in the clouds but their feet are firmly on the ground. Overwhelmed by London Isaac is moving back to Kent “to enjoy quality time with my cats and my mum”.
Slaves are here to shake things up, make you laugh, make you think, and have one hell of a good time.
Maryam Snape
