Return of The Slits

Dirty Laundry Presents: The Slits from Dirty Laundry on Vimeo.

So what are the odds of a band taking 28 years off and getting a second change? If you're The Slits, pretty good. Rewind 30 + years and you'd find yourself in the midst of the punk movement, and leading the way for women everywhere were The Slits. Much like many of the bands of the era, what the group lacked in musical training and skill was more than made up for by attitude and shear bravado. All one has to do is take a look at the cover of their first full length record, Cut, with the girls all but naked wearing loin cloths and mud and you know that they freakin' rock!

Two of the original members have brought three new girls into the fold for their third full length release ever, titled Trapped Animal. In some ways, the album feels very original, especially in relation to the lead vocals of Ari Up, and in others, a new direction. Although always influenced by world beats, especially reggae, this new album really keeps that influence front and center. It also relies on a more well rounded stable of instruments, instead of on guitars as the main firepower.

Check out the video above where Up talks about their early days as punk pioneers and then listen to the opening track from their new album, Ask Ma, below.

The Slits - Ask Ma : Trapped Animal

and an older favorite:

The Slits - Shoplifting : Cut

Visit their label Narnack Records and become their friend on MySpace.