SINGLE REVIEW: The Slackers – Blue (Pirates Press Records)
A reggae band from New York City who have a cult following all over the world are releasing a new single with an important message.
The Slackers have been thrilling ska and reggae fans for almost 30 years with what singer Vic Ruggiero calls their ‘Jamaican rock ’n’ roll’.
This year has already seen them re-release their classic live album Live At Ernesto’s on double 12in vinyl via Pirates Press Records for its 20th anniversary.
They also released a very special 12in single featuring two new songs, Nobody’s Listening and Sleep Outside, which are two bright, upbeat tracks meant to get everyone up dancing and singing along.
They have been pressed onto one side of a black vinyl record, which has full colour digital printing on the B-side. It’s cut at 45rpm, to give it a big sound. Get it from Pirates Press here.
Now, with a US presidential election just around the corner, they are nailing their colours firmly to the mast with another new, very different single, Blue.
It’s a trumpet-driven slice of classic-sounding reggae which implies people should vote for the Democrats, rather than giving Republican President Donald Trump a second term.
The B-side sees the bass brought to the fore as the band turn in an even heavier dub version of the song.
The single is released on 9 October, in four different colour variants, including two shades of blue! Check them out at the Pirates Press website HERE.
The band are also hosting Slacktoberfest, a livestream concert Featuring the Slackers and their friends from all over the world, including London’s Buster Shuffle, Salon Victoria from Mexico, Dr Ring Ding from Germany, Japanese ska-core band Rude Bones, The Resignators from Melbourne, Australia, Tbone from Thailand, Bite Me Bambi from Southern California, and Chuck Wren from Chicago.
It’s all happening on Saturday 3 October, starting at 3pm EDT/12pm PDT! Tickets are available HERE.
