LA-Based Slugs
Based in LA, SLUGS are an energetic three-piece band whose sound alludes to the punk sub culture of 90s America, but with the introspective vocals akin to HAIM. Their songs are raw and rich, as if Wheatus did a colab with Dolly Parton, produced by X-Ray Spex. Their music videos are equally explorative and spirited, so after reading, go and watch, but make sure you type in ‘SLUGS band’ otherwise you’ll be staring at an army of slimy gastropods. Before Covid, they were gigging around West Coast spaces such as the renowned punk rock venue, The Echo, but how are they coping without being able to bring the house down at their ‘must see’ gigs?
LB: Because I can’t see you, I’d love for you to give me an idea of where you are right now and because I’m British, what the weather is saying?
SLUGS: The weather is saying “it’s time to come outside”. It’s been an easy 75 degrees, green and sunny.
What’s the origin of your name?
I had a long list of band names and then drew from a lyric in our song ‘Be Good’; “talking to slugs like an extrovert”. I went to LA’s largest record store, Amobea, and asked for a SLUGS record and they said it didn’t exist, so I claimed the name.
Nobody asked him, but according to Jack Kerouac, ‘LA is the loneliest and most brutal of American cities’. Would you give him a slap and force him to reconsider, or reluctantly agree?
I’m not an advocate for or against LA. I’ve experienced loneliness, exhilaration, danger and comfort here. It’s a city that has a variety of offerings and I’m sure if I spent enough time anywhere else I could say the same.
How did you guys come together, and was it always in perfect harmony?
We’re a band of friends and have remained friends throughout. I feel very lucky in that regard. It’s been more of an act of creative expression and bonding than a business venture.
Your music is a real melting pot of genres; you’ve got this raw punk sound, but with Funkadelic guitar patterns under almost folky, Joni Mitchell -esque vocals. Where do you get your influences from?
Thank you! That’s a great breakdown! Our influences range anywhere from folk to psych rock to pop to noise. It’s where ever I’m at in my life at any given moment from where I draw my inspiration. I’m moved by melody, tones and honesty.
Do you all muck in with the creative process, or is it more like a Beatles situation where one of you writes a song, then another the next?
Each band member has their own individual projects. In SLUGS, I’m the primary songwriter and I welcome whatever instrumental flavor each bandmate contributes.
‘It’s been a weird year… I’m considerably low, I'm most definitely high’ comes from the song Super Sane, which I assumed was reflecting on this year, but I read that it was written before 2020. That’s pretty serendipitous. Did you find last year to be stifling, or was it creative enough to inspire new work?
I think I felt the same ups and downs of 2020 most everyone can relate to. Some days stifling, some days creative. I think the time alone gave me a moment to reconnect with why I do what I do; which is self expression and the hope of offering healing or happiness. I do miss playing shows, but I’m a patient person and I’ll be ready to return to live music when the time comes.
F*ck 2020, what is your magic 8 ball predicting for 2021?
A wild burst of collective depression and celebration. What that means, I’m not sure, but I think it’s gonna be another spicy ride!
Who are you listening to at the moment?
I’ve been listening to Kalbells, a side project of Rubblebucket. All Things Blue, Family Cash, revisiting Guided By Voices and ambient massage parlor music.
Imagine you are on your way back from a big post-COVID night out, who are you listening to on the Last Bus (or should I say, Metro) home?
I have caught many last trains home and those days remind me of The Wipers, Pavement, Angel Olsen, Eternal Summers and Courtney Barnet.