The Slickee Boys | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Genres | Punk rock, garage rock, psychedelic rock, new wave, rock |
| Years active | 1976–1991 |
| Labels | Dacoit (US) Giant (US) Limp (US) Line (Germany) New Rose (France) Twin/Tone (US) |
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 group was named after a GI slang term for the rockabilly-inspired Korean street toughs who sold black market goods to American soldiers.[1]
The band was founded in 1976[2] 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, that same year. Separated Vegetables, the group's full-length debut, followed in 1977, but Kane disliked the album's sound to such a degree that he limited the initial pressing to 100 copies.[3]
In 1978, Mark Noone replaced Hull as the singer, with the band reimagining itself through both Noone's showmanship and songwriting. In 1983, a music video for their song "When I Go to the Beach" placed second in MTV's Basement Tapes competition.[4][5]
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 9:30 Club – 81 shows.[6]
In the mid 1980s, The Slickee Boys formed their alter ego rockabilly band, The Wanktones. At some venues, including the now-defunct DC club The Wax Museum, The Wanktones "opened" for The Slickee Boys. On their first 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. "Live At The Fontana Bowlarama" was the second album by Wanktones; released in 1999.
In 1977, four members of the Slickee Boys contributed to the debut album "Music to Kill By," by the Afrika Korps.[7]
They've won several "Wammie" awards from the Washington Area Music Association.
In 1989 the band was inducted into the WAMA Hall of Fame[9]
Starting shortly after the break-up, reunion shows took place most years 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.[10] There have been no reunion shows in the past few years.
In 1987 the film Back to the Beach used the song "When I Go to the Beach" during the bar scene with Bob Denver.[11][unreliable source?][citation needed] It is not included in the soundtrack released on CBS Records.[12]
