ARTIST: The Slits
SUPPORT: Kasms
VENUE, TOWN: ULU, London
DATE: 16 October 2009
RATING: 5/5
FIVE WORD REVIEW: Decade-defying reggae punk rock
MAIN REVIEW: The crowd assembled at London’s ULU tonight must go some way towards boosting the average age of the venue’s attendees – but the vintage crowd is no surprise considering the fine vintage quality of tonight’s headliners. Can it really be 30 years since The Slits released their revolutionary debut ‘Cut’? And how will its songs sound, more than three decades down the line?
That question, and more, would be answered in good time, but first, it was time to sample some young blood in the form of Kasms. Singer Rachel has a touch of Kathleen Hanna about her – in fact, this band could easily occupy the slot between Bikini Kill and Le Tigre, but comparisons to L7 and X-Ray Spex are also justified. Kasms’ dark, twisted, riot-grrrl-dragged-kicking-and-screaming-into-the-modern-age sound translates excellently into the live arena, with a mesmerising feral quality. Latest single ‘Absent Without Leave’ is a particular highlight. [4/5]
The Slits’ recent handful of shows is in part to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of ‘Cut’ and partly to promote new album ‘Trapped Animal’, released on October 20. The current line-up features original members Ari Up, Tessa Pollitt and Viv Albertine, all of whom are in fine form and fine spirits. Ari, looking unbelievably youthful for a lady celebrating 30 years since the release of her debut album, is a colourful whirlwind of a frontlady, who prowls around the stage one minute and prances the next, embellishing her band’s reggae-tinged punk stylings with whoops, yells and Red Indian calls.
It also has to be said that new member Hollie Cook really shines in her role as co-vocalist and keyboard player. She’s especially vibrant on the band’s famous cover of ‘Heard It Through The Grapevine’, which is set upon the audience early on in the set, to incendiary effect. It ensures a party atmosphere for the rest of the night, which climaxes when a few dozen girls and boys are invited on stage to dance along to ‘Typical Girls’.
Few bands have mixed as many styles so seamlessly as The Slits, but it’s their ability to do, along with awesome live shows like this that make them such a legendary group of ladies. Don’t miss them should they decide to tour again in future. [5/5]
- Kim Wills
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