The Slacksons
The Slacksons are a relatively new band, formed in 2019, and they quickly created somewhat of a stir.
When Michael Cleverley (writer and vocalist), met Andy Childs (writer, producer, DJ, and vocals) who having previously toured Europe with Morcheeba and Cousteau under his Elevator Suite moniker, with his band receiving numerous ‘Records of the Week’ on Radio 1, and a plethora of press and industry fans, he was keen to explore new avenues. Upon meeting whilst working together on a building site, and Andy overheard Mikeys captivating vocals as he sang while he worked, they agreed to write together and something quite magical happened.
The new partnership with front man Mikeys unique vocals, a cross between The Specials Terry Hall, Damon Albarn and Ian Dury, added to Andys amazing writing and production skills, along with a group of like minded musicians including renowned keyboard player Dan Moore (Percy Sledge, Pee Wee Ellis, Fred Wesley, the late great Tony Allen and Nostalgia 77) They hooked up in a Bristol studio for a cheeky jam session, wrote their first song ’Stormy Weather’ and The Slacksons were born !
The Slacksons music weaves through multiple genres and taps into a rich legacy of British music with a cool mix of original Brit Hop, Jazz, Funk, Ska, Breaks and Electronica. They are a fantastic 5 piece high- octane live band, and never fail to raise the roof! The current line up includes the brilliant guitarist Reece Bluck, Liam Twohig- the bands pulse on drums, and Pete Wookey our ‘Ace of bass’
The band was booked to play many festivals and events over Summer 2020 and 2021, which due to Covid, were cancelled or postponed, but they performed at several UK festivals over late Summer 2021, and some great Bristol and London gig dates ending with a sold out gig at The Old Queens Head, Islington, London (Owned by The Columbo group/ Jazz Cafe).
The band is booked for gigs throughout 2022 in London and Bristol, and for the next Shindig Festival, PennFest, Farm fest and Camden Rocks festival amongst others over Summer/Autumn 2022 The band held a pre-release album showcase gig at the Troubadour, in London, which was a great success and generated lots of interest in the band including a live performance and interview on BBC Radio 5 with Laura Whitmore to promote their soon to be released first single, and their debut album Several tracks from their album have already received numerous plays on BBC Radio, BBC introducing by, Jazzie B on Solar Radio, Craig Charles on BBC Radio 6, and Fatboy Slim, plus many other UK and International radio stations, and the band are about to release their first single Stormy Weather (June 17th)
Their debut album, is due to be released late 2022, but we have sent it out to a few select DJs, festivals and brands over the last few weeks, and here are some early tastemaker reactions:
This is some crazy shit. I love it..
Fatboy Slim- 5*
Plastic Bags is a cool tune!
Craig Charles — BBC Radio 6 (Simon Hodge — Producer)
What a fantastic band!
Irvine Welch
I Love this! The album will go in my top 10 this month. I am a fan!
Jazzie B
All The Slacksons music is co-written by band members Michael Cleverley and Andy Childs, who has written 3 very successful previous albums for his previous band Elevator Suite.
A second Slacksons album has been written, and is currently being produced.
Do you have any other plans relating to this release? A video?
From the press release for the track STORMY WEATHER: THE SLACKSONS are a Bristol UK based 5 piece band, making an eclectic mix of music which crosses many genres and taps into the rich legacy of British music. Their influences range from Blur, The Streets & Gorillaz through to Ian Dury and even a little Beck for that Transatlantic edge. Their first single STORMY WEATHER is a great example of these influences with a quirky vocal narrative from lead singer Mikey colliding with a slick Hip-Hop influenced backing track. It is the perfect start to Summer! The track is the first release from The Slacksons sophomore album titled ‘Plastic Bags For Shoes’, which is already getting great responses from some legends in the music industry. With festival dates starting to fill up for the season and a tour planned later in 2022, it’s lining up to be a busy year.
Do you write and release or do you plan each release? Any plans for an EP or album?
We plan our releases carefully. We have written 2 albums so far and the first of these will be released later in 2022 across all platforms and on VINYL ! Our Next single ‘Plastic Bags for Shoes’ out 29th July 22 Debut album ‘ Plastic. Bags for Shoes’ to be released later in 2022
Other than fame & fortune, is there something you hope to achieve through music?
To keep writing and doing what we all love, and to play live whenever we can We are looking forward to a tour next year and a second album is in the can!
- theslacksons.com
- youtube.com/channel
- facebook.com/theslacksons
- instagram.com/theslacksons
