The "weekend" (as they call it) is here, which means it's back to work for those of us with less than desirable "jobs" (as they call them). In other words, it is time to dive into some burnt out, broken down, boozed up punk rock, Minneapolis style. The perfect guys for the job are punk rock "supergroup" The Slow Death. The band is made up of punk veterans, led by bassist/vocalist (and Twin Cities mainstay) Jesse Thorson (of Pretty Boy Thorson and the Falling Angels). Also in the lineup are Mikey Erg (The Ergs!, seemingly every other good pop-punk band), Dave Strait (also of PBT and the F'n A's), and Johnny C (The Rest of Us). They took it even further last year with the addition of Zack Gontard (Dear Landlord) and Annie Sparrows (Soviettes) for their debut full-length Born Ugly Got Worse.
Simply put, this is a country tinged, punk fueled bar band. They are unquestionable masters of songs that would be depressing if they didn't revel in their own lack of giving a shit. These are songs for those times when you know full well that things are fucked, but your buddies Jim and Jack have left you with no choice but to cut your losses and have a helluva time doing so. The "drunk punk" thing is not exactly a groundbreaking formula, but nobody's pretending that it is. Their songs, all with a rollicking beat, country leads, and shout-along lyrics, tend to blend into one another, which could be a problem if they didn't kick so much ass.
The Slow Death emerged around this time last year with a brilliant 7" collaboration with local comic artist Mitch Clem* (the mastermind behind punk webcomics Nothing Nice to Say and My Stupid Life). The 7" features five short bursts of alcohol-fueled fury, in addition to a trio of fittingly self-deprecating stories (in comic form, of course) from Clem. They have since went on to release their debut LP Born Ugly Got Worse on Kiss of Death Records.
The Slow Death keeps up a rigorous tour schedule, but takes advantage of every opportunity to play in the Twin Cites. Catch them this Sunday (3/25) at the Triple Rock and/or Saturday 3/31 at the Turf Club.
Stream the full Turnstile Comix 7" HERE
*I am a big fan of Mitch Clem's, so keep a lookout for a future Spotlight on him. In the meantime take a look at his website HERE.
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