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Slojack is a four-piece band from Los Angeles CA, led by songwriters Eddie Fritz and Andy Bartel. Their new CD, Naked, is a gritty portrayal of life, love, sex and death at the end of the century, through the eyes of a gay man. Produced by Ryan Dorn (Motorhead, Ugly Kid Joe), these 12 tracks of maximum rock and roll stand out for both their honesty and energy at a time when "rock music is an endangered species".
The basic tracks for the album started as demo's, just a "snapshot of what the band was doing when we started out. But when we heard Ryan's rough mixes, we knew that we had to release this stuff." Recorded and mixed in two weeks, with all the basic tracks cut live, the idea was to capture the sound of the band playing as a unit. "Most of the lead vocals and guitar solos were first takes. We just hit record and put the pedal down. We would sit in the control room, listen to Eddie sing, and it would leave us speechless." Listening to tracks like "Hey Mister" and "It's All Over", you can feel the sweat and passion from the sessions. Some songs on the albumn while dealing with more lighthearted subject matter, are both brutal and sexual.
The genesis of Slojack was in early 1996, when singer Eddie Fritz, after giving up music to care for his lover, decided it was time to get back to work. "After John died, I sat around for a while and did nothing. Then my friends said that I should get back to what I do best." Only this time, it would be on his own terms, writing all the songs and most importantly, being open and honest about the subject matter. A studio was rented. Lyrics and song ideas began to flow. He ran an ad, "Guitar player wanted for rough trade rock band" and Andy answered. "When I went to that audition, I didn't know what to expect. I had been doing sessions, film work, pickups, and every type of music from pop to country. But when I heard Eddie sing and we played together, my life changed that day." The two began writing the songs that would make up the first record while looking for a rhythm section. They found the perfect line up with Ken Frank on bass and former Mother Tongue drummer, Geoff Haba.
The Slojack sound is raw, high energy, rock and roll. Influences that range from X and Iggy Pop all the way to The Who and Aerosmith are apparent when you hear the music. These guys love everything: Dylan, Dolls, Fleetwood Mac, Hendrix, The Stones, The Kinks, Henry Rollins, Helmet, John Lennon, you name it and it is probably on someone's list. "We like bands that write good songs and strive to be the best musicians that they can be. We use our influences as a goal post, to keep the standards high." The band is recording their next album with producer Marty Horenburg and it should be completed by late spring. A short, film biography is in the works, directed by Richard Perez. And of course, more touring, gigs and general mayhem. The band is currently recording their second CD for release in mid 1999. In working with Marty as a producer, look for some real suprises this time around. "We refuse to limit ourselves to one genre or one musical style. This record will show that a wide variety of music can co-exist on one CD. Everything today is too one dimensional, that's why it is so hard to listen to a record from start to finish anymore."
"We want to change things, shake it up, and open peoples minds a bit." Slojack continues to break down barriers, both musical and ideological, at every performance. "When people hear our music for the first time, they might be nervous, thinking, "Oh, I don't like rock or these guys are fags". But when they see us play, they suddenly remember that music is supposed to be about feelings and honesty. That's what Slojack is all about; truth, sweat, and rock and roll." |
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The Music Connection - October, 1997, Tom Kidd
LA Weekly - October, 1997, Dan Epstein
LA Daily News - December, 1997, Fred Schuster
Scream Magazine (Norway) - July, 1998, A. J. Blisten
Genre Magazine - August, 1998, John Polly |
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| Date |
Venue/Club |
Location |
| October 30, 1999 |
The Gig |
Hollywood CA, USA |
| September 11, 1999 |
The Gig |
West LA CA, USA |
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Location:
Hollywood CA, USA
Slojack Website
band@slojack.com
Regular Tour Area:
California |
