Slang Chickens
“S/T”
Psychedelic Judaism
Now this is the kind of record I like getting to review! It’s a good one!
Download – “Tropics” and stream the entire record via Band Camp.
I get a strong vibe that a lot of good old fashion TLC was pumped into this slab of pretty blue vinyl (that’s limited to only 550 copies) by the band members in Slang Chickens themselves. If might be the fact that not only did these guys record this fine psychedelic country punk album themselves but they’ve also released it on their own Psychedelic Judaism label and if you order it from them (click HERE) they’ll even mail it to you themselves. Talk about Doing It Yourself. “The Chickens” are as DIY as it gets, yet they’re not just causing a racket cuz these kids can write some songs!
Speaking of songs… my favorite ones on The Chickens’ debut record are as follows: “Tropics”, “Parasited Out”, “Blues (Dripping Down My Leg)” and “Let’s Microwave”. Check out this video of the band playing “Tropics” live a mere two weeks ago in our lovely city of Los Angeles:
Slang Chickens remind me of another LA band, The Soft Pack. Those two bands should totally become friends with each other cuz together they’d make a great tour. Slang Chickens tastefully merge the two worlds of punk rock and country into what seems like their own seamless party of sound. I’m talking about the kind of party that you’d find Neil Young arm-wrestling Jeffery Lee Pierce (The Gun Club) while Hank Williams, The Flying Burrito Bros, Talking Heads and Credence Clearwater Revival play poker and on the other side of the room The Meat Puppets, The Cramps, The Misfits, X and Devo play beer pong. A sausage fest for sure, but a rad party none the less. What I’m trying to say is that these dudes have influences from over the place, but once they pepper in their banjos, distortion pedals, southern-tinged harmonies, acoustic moments, wailing feedback, lap-steel guitar, grunge-laden vocals and purty rippin’ harmonicas to create a sound that is 100% original and 100% theirs.
I’ve known this group of tightly knit friends since they were around fourteen years old. Yeah, these dudes make me feel old. But seriously, for over ten years now I’ve been lucky to not only watch these kids sprout balls and grow up into adults but I’ve also been continuously inspired by their positive attitudes. Two of these dudes were in Wires On Fire (who put out an EP and a full length on Buddyhead), two of them are also in Brandon Intelligator and the Sheriffs, and in the early days of “The Chickens” you would find Zach Dawes playing the bass – he’s now in Mini Mansions with Michael Shuman who was in Wires On Fire as well. See how it always comes full circle? This group of friends are good kids who always seem to have a good time and they’ll play your fucking boat too.
Hey chickens – I’m giving out a FREE firm slap on the ass to reward whomever came up with the idea of putting these records in their own hand screened (and hand sewn) burlap jacket! Nice touch chickenheads, looks like I rubbed off on ya! This band has only just celebrated their first anniversary and they are already all sorts of wonderful. That’s gotta feel good eh kids? Get your copy of Slang Chickens debut LP (which includes a coupon for digital download) from the band’s own label, Psychedelic Judaism, before the only place selling this gem is Ebay. And although it’s not on this album, check out this video of Slang Chickens covering New Order’s “Age Of Consent”:
