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Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Let's Talk About... Slapstick

Posted by Ezra Ace Caraeff on Tue, Jul 29, 2008 at 1:42 PM

slapstick-1.jpg

We have few rules here at End Hits:
Don't let Rob write about Morrissey.
Don't let Andrew drink Zima and drunkenly blog.
And, most importantly, no ska. Ever.

Yet here we are.

Slapstick was the ska (*cough, technically, ska-core, cough*) forefathers of Alkaline Trio. In honor of that band falling the fuck off, it's fair to examine their rude boy roots.

Somehow more tolerable than most ska acts, Slapstick were reckless enough to woo the punk kids, had enough horns for the skankers, and were respectable enough for me not to feel (that much) shame for still owning their out-of-print Lookit debut. They only lasted a few years (before splitting into a ton of bands, including Lawrence Arms and the aforementioned Alkaline Trio), which most likely adds to their mystique.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that if Reel Big Fish had broken up in the mid-'90s they'd be any better... although it would have made the world a much better place.

PICK IT UP! PICK IT UP!







Slapstick - "Nate B."

 

Commenting was not available when this article was originally published.

Comments (8) RSS

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1
Wait, I really can't write about Morrissey?!

Damnit.

Ah well....I guess it's time for that Save Ferris post I've been working on? Wait, I can't do that either?! Less Than Jake? No?!

Ezra, WHY ARE YOU HOLDING ME BACK?
Posted by Rob on July 29, 2008 at 2:03 PM · Report
2
Slapstick are easily one of the most listenable of all ska-core bands that ever happened during that period. For the record, only one member of Alkaline Trio was in Slapstick which was Dan Andriano on bass.

For the record, the Broadways and Tuesday were probably the best result of the Slapstick breakup. Larry Arms are good but, ehh.

Posted by Williams, Jay on July 29, 2008 at 3:10 PM · Report
3
what about the original slapstick fro boston. hardcore band on taang. yeah no one cares
Posted by christina on July 29, 2008 at 5:39 PM · Report
4
I vaguely remember them but more than likely I'm getting them confused with Slapshot.
Posted by Williams, Jay on July 30, 2008 at 10:25 AM · Report
5
Whenever I've got my iPod on shuffle and Slapstick comes up I'm super-pumped. Let's just leave the word "ska" out of it.

Also, I've been looking forward to a write-up of Sunday's Hold Steady show that I unfortunately missed. Well, I skipped it on purpose because I didn't want to deal with the Crystal Ballroom crowd. Thoughts? Feelings? Hangovers? Do tell.
Posted by Joneser on July 30, 2008 at 10:27 AM · Report
6
I thought Slapshot was Boston. Slapstick was Chicago.

Anyway, Hold Steady was great. As always. They do a great job of picking and choosing their "hits" from their catalog (which does seem pretty deep in retrospect) so the set was very well-balanced. We were surprised they didn't play "The Swish" or "Your Little Hoodrat Friend." I'm sure Rob or Ned can add more.

As for hangovers, mine was mild. I'm a professional. I hydrate.
Posted by ezra on July 30, 2008 at 10:46 AM · Report
7
Not having a crippling hangover after a Hold Steady show is decidedly UNprofessional.
Posted by Joneser on July 30, 2008 at 2:46 PM · Report
8
oh yeah slapshot!! sorry
Posted by christina on July 30, 2008 at 6:02 PM · Report

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