Based out of New York City, NY, The Slackers are celebrating 25 years of Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae, Dub, Soul, Garage Rock & Jazz. On Feb 19th, they released a new self-titled record, their 16th release to date, and are giving away the first track off the record, “The Boss”, for FREE download here at The Pier. Read up on the band, and their new record…
You can download The Slackers new track, “The Boss”, for FREE on our home page under the MP3 Leak of the Week on the right hand column! This Download will only be available until Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016.
The Slackers – “The Boss” – Download HERE
“The Boss” Background:
The Slackers will be starting their 25th anniversary celebration with a new self-titled album. As their press release reads, if Jamaican Rock n’ Roll is The Slackers trademark sound, this new album might be known as ‘Psychedelic Jamaican Rock N Roll.’ The influences of ‘Pet Sounds era’ Beach Boys, ‘Sgt Pepper era’ Beatles and other 60s rockers are prominent in the blend.
The Slackers release date is Feb 19th, 2016 and will be available in both physical & digital format as fans can enjoy this record on Vinyl. It is being released independently on their own Special Potato label after a $30,000 successful fundraiser on www.bigtun.es and is being co-distributed in the United States by Rare Breed Records, in Europe by Brain Lab Groove, and in Japan by Just A Record. It will also be available online on Spotify and Pandora.
The Slackers were kind enough to extend the first track off the record with “The Boss” to be posted up for FREE download. Here’s what (organ/vocalist) Vic Ruggiero told The Pier regarding the song:
“There’s a face a woman makes…It’s no use to argue or explain. You’ve already lost. ‘But Officer, it’s not what it looks like.’ No. He doesn’t have to explain anything, and you’re not allowed to get mad…it doesn’t work in both directions… You don’t get to dance in the parade at your own funeral. I hope you danced when you had the chance.”
You can pick up The Slackers new self-titled record, in Vinyl or Digital format, by clicking HERE!
The Slackers Background:
Those hard working purveyors of ‘Jamaican RocknRoll’ known as ‘The Slackers’, have been in existence for a quarter of a century now. Hard to believe that this band which started out rehearsing in a dingy basement on the lower east side has gone on to become a legendary touring group playing over a 100 shows a year since 1997.
Beginning in New York City in 1991, The Slackers have developed a signature sound that mixes together Jamaican Reggae and Ska rhythms with Anglo-American RnB, Blues, and Garage Rock. Bandleader, Vic Ruggiero, coined this blend as ‘Jamaican RocknRoll’, something similar to what the rolling stones would have sounded like if they grew up on as much Bob Marley and the Skatalites as they did Howling Wolf and Bo Diddley.
As of 2015, they’ve currently played in 46 American states, 7 Canadian Provinces, 23 European Countries, 5 Latin American nations; have done concerts in Japan and Korea as well. In the last 2 years, they have played everything from large festivals like Punk Rock Bowling and Fest to midsize concert halls like the El Rey, Bell House, Lee’s Palace, and even a few intimate private parties!
Over the course of the year, the band will continue the celebration by doing rotating song blocks of tunes from all 15 of their original albums and developing special theme shows such as their legendary ‘booze cruises’ in New York City and Boston plus their legendary holiday tours on the East Coast at the end of the year. They will also be taking part in Floggin Molly’s Salty Dog Cruise, The Rebellion Festival, and the Boomtown Festival.
The Slackers are currently booking tour dates for 2016 in North America, Europe, Japan and beyond for their 25th anniversary tour, in support of their new self-titled record.
The Slackers Links:
The Slackers Website
The Slackers Facebook
Huge thanks again to The Slackers for allowing us to share “The Boss” to post up for FREE download. Free music is a privilege that we’re grateful for and we appreciate the work these artists do! Please feel free to download this song for FREE and spread the awareness to your friends!
Enjoy the FREE track on the homepage!
Article By: Mike Patti
Watch: The Slackers – Full Concert – Live In Toronto. (3/28/15)
