The Slickee Boys
Encyclopedia
The Slickee Boys were a Washington, D.C.
area punk
-psychedelic
-garage rock
band whose most-remembered lineup consisted of guitarist Marshall Keith, guitarist Kim Kane, singer Mark Noone, and drummer Dan Palenski. The band has become a legend in the D.C. punk community. They were known for their wild costumes and graphics.
In 1978 Mark Noone replaced Hull as the singer, with the band benefitting from Noone's showmanship as well as his songwriting. In 1983, a music video for their song "When I Go to the Beach" placed second in MTV
's Basement Tapes competition. This resulted in the video being shown regularly as well as garnering the band the distinction of being first from the D.C. area to get airplay on the then-new video channel.
In 1988 after a short European Tour, founding member Kim Kane departed to focus on his band Date Bait
. The band soldiered on with long-time roadie, John Hansen, taking over on rhythm guitar until they called it quits in 1991.
They hold the record for the most performances at DC's 930 Club - 81 shows.
Roadie, soundman, and guitarist John Hansen died on Friday, September 17, 2010, at the age of 47. His sister reported that he had committed suicide.
.
In addition, in 1989 the band was inducted into the WAMA Hall of Fame
(with Frankie Avalon
and Annette Funicello
) used the song "When I Go to the Beach" during the bar scene with Bob Denver
. It is not included in the soundtrack released on CBS Records
.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
area punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
-psychedelic
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
-garage rock
Garage rock
Garage rock is a raw form of rock and roll that was first popular in the United States and Canada from about 1963 to 1967. During the 1960s, it was not recognized as a separate music genre and had no specific name...
band whose most-remembered lineup consisted of guitarist Marshall Keith, guitarist Kim Kane, singer Mark Noone, and drummer Dan Palenski. The band has become a legend in the D.C. punk community. They were known for their wild costumes and graphics.
History
The band was founded in the mid-1970s by guitarists Kim Kane and Marshall Keith, with Kane as principal songwriter, and featured Martha Hull on vocals. The band released its first EP, "Hot and Cool", in 1976 — an event documented by members of the new wave community as the third DIY new wave record ever recorded.In 1978 Mark Noone replaced Hull as the singer, with the band benefitting from Noone's showmanship as well as his songwriting. In 1983, a music video for their song "When I Go to the Beach" placed second in MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's Basement Tapes competition. This resulted in the video being shown regularly as well as garnering the band the distinction of being first from the D.C. area to get airplay on the then-new video channel.
In 1988 after a short European Tour, founding member Kim Kane departed to focus on his band Date Bait
Date Bait
- Cast :*Gary Clarke as Danny Logan*Marlo Ryan as Sue Randall*Dick Gering as Brad Martinelli*Carol Dawne*Jon Lindon*Gabe Delutri*Michael Bachus*Mildred Miller*Steve Ihnat*Chad Williams*Lemar Crast*Rita Guinan*Anton von Stralen*Trep Howard...
. The band soldiered on with long-time roadie, John Hansen, taking over on rhythm guitar until they called it quits in 1991.
They hold the record for the most performances at DC's 930 Club - 81 shows.
Roadie, soundman, and guitarist John Hansen died on Friday, September 17, 2010, at the age of 47. His sister reported that he had committed suicide.
Other work
In the mid 80's The Slickee Boys formed their "alter ego" rock-a-billy band, The Wanktones. At some venues, including the now-defunct DC club The Wax Museum, The Wanktones "opened" for The Slickee Boys. On their only album released as The Wanktones, "Have a Ball Y'All", The members are listed under the following pseudonyms: Del Marva, Bo Link, Mo Sloe, Ersel Wank, Floyd Glen Bernie, and Elmer Preslee.Awards
Over the years, they've won a number of awards ("Wammies") from the Washington Area Music AssociationWashington Area Music Association
The Washington Area Music Association is a regional music industry not-for-profit organization based in Washington, D.C.. WAMA's activity centers around highlighting the area's cultural contribution by assisting regional musicians with becoming recognized on a national scale.The organization...
.
- 1985 – Record (Single/EP) of the Year, "When I Go to the Beach"
- 1985 – Video of the Year, "When I Go to the Beach"
- 1986 – Rock/Pop Artist/Group of the Year
- 2002 – Rock Recording of the Year, Somewhat of an AnthologySomewhat of an AnthologySomewhat of an Anthology is a limited edition compact disc on the Dacoit label that compiles material from throughout the Slickee Boys' career. With the exception of one live song, every cut on the CD had previously been released, albeit many of them on vinyl records pressed in small numbers...
In addition, in 1989 the band was inducted into the WAMA Hall of Fame
Reunion shows
Starting shortly after the break-up, reunion shows have taken place most years (as recently as July 3, 2011 at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC) usually the week between Christmas and New Years, with one show each in Baltimore and D.C. Frequently the line-up changes during the course of the show, with band members taking turns playing on different songs.In popular culture
In 1987 the retro-surf film Back to the BeachBack to the Beach
Back to the Beach is a 1987 comedy film starring Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello, directed by Lyndall Hobbs. The original music score is composed by Steve Dorff. The film generated a total domestic gross of $13,110,903...
(with Frankie Avalon
Frankie Avalon
Frankie Avalon is an American actor, singer, playwright, and former teen idol.-Career:By the time he was 12, Avalon was on U.S. television playing his trumpet. As a teenager he played with Bobby Rydell in Rocco and the Saints...
and Annette Funicello
Annette Funicello
Annette Joanne Funicello is an American singer and actress. She was Walt Disney's most popular cast member of the original Mickey Mouse Club, and went on to appear in a series of beach party films.-Early life and early stardom:...
) used the song "When I Go to the Beach" during the bar scene with Bob Denver
Bob Denver
Robert Osbourne "Bob" Denver was an American comedic actor known for his roles as Gilligan on the television series Gilligan's Island and the beatnik Maynard G. Krebs on the 1959–1963 TV series The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis.-Early life:Denver was born in New Rochelle, New York, and raised in...
. It is not included in the soundtrack released on CBS Records
CBS Records
CBS Records is a record label founded by CBS Corporation in 2006 to take advantage of music from its entertainment properties owned by CBS Television Studios. The initial label roster consisted of only three artists; rock band Señor Happy and singer/songwriters Will Dailey and P.J...
.
7" vinyl
- Hot and Cool - EP, Dacoit, 1976
- Mersey, Mersey Me - EP, LimpLimp RecordsLimp Records was an independent record label based out of Rockville, Maryland that operated from 1978 until 1982. Run by Skip Groff out of his Yesterday and Today Records store, Limp was one of the first labels releasing music from the nascent D.C. punk scene...
, 1978 - 3rd EP - EP, Limp, 1979
- "The Brain That Refused to Die" - single, Dacoit, 1980
- "Here to Stay" - single, Dacoit, 1981
- "When I Go to the Beach" - single, Dacoit, 1983
- "When I Go to the Beach" - single, Twin/Tone, 1983
- "When I Go to the Beach" - single, New Rose, 1984
- "Your Autumn Eyes" - single, New Rose, 1987
- 10th Anniversary EP - EP, Dacoit/D.S.I., 1987
- "This Party Sucks" - single, New Rose, 1988
- "Long Way to Go" - single, Dacoit, 1995
Full-length albums
- Separated VegetablesSeparated VegetablesSeparated Vegetables is the first full-length release from Washington, D.C.'s Slickee Boys. Self-released on guitarist Kim Kane's Dacoit label , it was pressed in an edition of 100 copies. As well as songs written by the band, it includes cover versions of songs originally by Overkill Separated...
, 1977 - Here to StayHere to Stay (Slickee Boys album)Here to Stay compiles all five Slickee Boys 7"s from 1976–1981 . It was released by the German label Line Records with a catalog number of LLP 5170....
, 1982 - Cybernetic Dreams of PiCybernetic Dreams of PiCybernetic Dreams of Pi, released in 1983, is The Slickee Boys second "proper" album , and the first to be recorded all in one place at the same time. It was released on LP by the Minneapolis record label Twin/Tone...
, 1983 - Uh Oh… No Breaks!Uh Oh… No Breaks!Washington, D.C.'s Slickee Boys' third "proper" album , Uh Oh… No Breaks! was released on LP and cassette in March 1985 by Twin/Tone with the catalog number TTR 8544...
, 1985 - Fashionably Late, 1988
- Live at LastLive at Last (Slickee Boys album)Coinciding with the release of their album Fashionably Late, in May 1988 the Slickee Boys embarked on a brief tour of Europe. Live at Last is a document of one night on that tour, at Ubu in Rennes, France. It was released in April 1989 on the New Rose label on LP and CD; in the US it came out on...
, 1989 - Somewhat of an AnthologySomewhat of an AnthologySomewhat of an Anthology is a limited edition compact disc on the Dacoit label that compiles material from throughout the Slickee Boys' career. With the exception of one live song, every cut on the CD had previously been released, albeit many of them on vinyl records pressed in small numbers...
, 2002 - A Postcard from the DayA Postcard from the DayA Postcard from the Day is the second live album from Washington, D.C.'s Slickee Boys, and their most recent release...
CD, 2006
Compilation albums
- 30 Seconds Over D.C. - LP, Limp, 1978 - Attitude
- The Best of Limp (…Rest of Limp) - LP, Limp, 1980
- Battle of the Garages - LP, Voxx, 1981
- Battle of the Garages - LP, Line, 1981
- Newlines Vol.2 - LP, Line, 1981
- Connected - LP, Limp, 1981 - Disconnected and Can't Believe
- Han-O-Disc - LP, D.I.Y., 1982
- The Rebel Kind - LP, Sounds Interesting (United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
), 1983 - The Rebel Kind - LP, Lolita (FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
), 1983 - Hi-Muck - CS, 1983 - interview and Nagasaki Neuter (live)
- The Train to Disaster - LP, Bonafide, 1983
- The Train to Disaster - LP, L.S.D., 1983
- Midnight Christmas Mess Again - LP, Midnight, 1986
- Play New Rose for Me - 2xLP, New Rose, 1986
- Laserock'n'rollparty Vol.1 - CD, New Rose, 1987
- Every Day Is a Holly Day - 2x10", CD, New Rose, 1988
- Every Day Is a Holly Day - CD, GiantGiant Records (independent label)Giant Records was an independent record label, under the Dutch East India Trading umbrella, based in Long Island, New York. Giant was dedicated to punk rock groups, such as Dag Nasty.-Artists:*Cabaret Voltaire*Dag Nasty*Government Issue*7 Seconds...
, 1988 - Laserock'n'rollparty Vol.2 - CD, New Rose, 1989
- New Rose Story - 4xCD, Last Call, 2000
- Stories of the Dogs - Songs for Dominique - 2xCD, Lollipop, 2006 - Death Lane
- Counter Culture 1976 - CD, Rough TradeRough Trade RecordsRough Trade Records is an independent record label based in London. It was formed in 1978 by Geoff Travis who had opened a record store off Ladbroke Grove...
, 2007 - Psychodaisies - Vindicated! A Tribute To The Fleshtones - CD, Dirty Water Records/LP, Larsen, 2007
Bill list
Other bands that played on the same bill as the Slickee Boys:- Asleep at the WheelAsleep at the WheelAsleep at the Wheel is a American country music group that was formed in Paw Paw, West Virginia, but based in Austin, Texas. Altogether, they have won nine Grammy Awards since their 1970 inception. In their career, they have released more than twenty studio albums, and have charted more than twenty...
- Bad BrainsBad BrainsBad Brains is an American hardcore punk band formed in Washington, D.C., in 1977. They are widely regarded as among the pioneers of hardcore punk, though the band's members objected to this term to describe their music. They are also an adept reggae band, while later recordings featured elements of...
- Barrance Whitfield and the Savages
- Black Market BabyBlack Market Baby-History:Formed by Boyd Farrell and Paul Cleary of Snitch , with Keith Campbell of D. Ceats and Tommy Carr from the Penetrators....
- The BlastersThe BlastersThe Blasters are a rock and roll music group formed in 1979 in Downey, California, by brothers Phil Alvin and Dave Alvin , with bass guitarist John Bazz and drummer Bill Bateman. Phil Alvin explained the origin of the band's name: "I thought Joe Turner’s backup band on Atlantic records – I had...
- Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen
- Cramps
- Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
- Kinks
- MadnessMadness (band)In 1979, the band recorded the Lee Thompson composition "The Prince". The song, like the band's name, paid homage to their idol, Prince Buster. The song was released through 2 Tone Records, the label of The Specials founder Jerry Dammers. The song was a surprise hit, peaking in the UK music charts...
- Marginal ManMarginal ManMarginal Man was a punk band that emerged in the Washington, D.C. hardcore scene in 1983. Steve Polcari, Pete Murray, and Mike Manos all had played earlier in Artificial Peace, a band which appears on Dischord Records' important Flex Your Head compilation, an essential document of the 1980s D.C....
- Marti JonesMarti JonesMarti Jones is a singer and painter originally from Uniontown, Ohio.Jones was initially a member of the band Color Me Gone, who recorded one EP for A&M Records in 1983. Her first solo album, 1985's "Unsophisticated Time" , was produced by Don Dixon...
& Don Dixon - Minor ThreatMinor ThreatMinor Threat was an American hardcore punk band formed in Washington, D.C. in 1980 and disbanded in 1983. The band was relatively short-lived, but had a strong influence on the hardcore punk music scene, both stylistically and in establishing a "do it yourself" ethic for music distribution and...
- Missing Persons
- NighthawksNighthawksNighthawks is a 1942 painting by Edward Hopper that portrays people sitting in a downtown diner late at night. It is considered Hopper's most famous painting, as well as one of the most recognizable in American art...
- NRBQNRBQNRBQ is an American rock band founded in 1967. It is known for its live performances, containing a high degree of spontaneity and levity, and blending rock, pop, jazz, blues and Tin Pan Alley styles. Its best known line-up is the 1974–1994 quartet of pianist Terry Adams, bassist Joey Spampinato,...
- Otis BlackwellOtis BlackwellOtis Blackwell was an American songwriter, singer, and pianist, whose work significantly influenced rock 'n' roll...
- Pete SeegerPete SeegerPeter "Pete" Seeger is an American folk singer and was an iconic figure in the mid-twentieth century American folk music revival. A fixture on nationwide radio in the 1940s, he also had a string of hit records during the early 1950s as a member of The Weavers, most notably their recording of Lead...
- PlasmaticsPlasmaticsThe Plasmatics were an American heavy metal and punk band formed by Yale University art school graduate Rod Swenson with Wendy O. Williams. The band was a controversial group known for wild live shows that broke countless taboos...
- Pretenders
- RamonesRamonesThe Ramones were an American rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first punk rock group...
- RazzMGP NordicMGP Nordic is a Scandinavian song contest for children aged 8 to 15, organized by DR, NRK, SVT and YLE through FST5...
- Replacements
- Revillos
- Stray CatsStray CatsStray Cats are an American Rockabilly band formed in 1980 by guitarist/vocalist Brian Setzer , upright bassist Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom in the Long Island town of Massapequa, New York. The group had numerous hit singles in the UK, Australia and the U.S...
- Squeeze
- SwitchbladeSwitchbladeA switchblade is a type of knife with a folding or sliding blade contained in the handle which is opened automatically by a spring when a button, lever, or switch on the handle or bolster is activated A switchblade (also known as an automatic knife, pushbutton knife, switch, Sprenger, Springer,...
- Tex Rubinowitz and the Bad Boys
- U2U2U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
- Ventures